Questions:
1) Has your neighbour started operating the cafe?
NO.
The procedure is to do reno, then get NEA approval , then NEA will issue licence, then he can start operation.
He is stucked at the final part when the 3phase power could not be activated.
Then the CCB can into the council and the saga began
2) If not, what is stopping him from operating?
A lawyer friend did advise him that he could take the risk and go ahead and get NEA to come for inspection and then start operation.
But V is not sure what other cards CCB would draw again...
3) Is your neighbour paying the rental?
The TA actually stated that rent to start ONLY upon NEA issuance of licence.
4) With proper TA and rental paid, there is no reason the MCST can back out of what they signed and agreed to. This is like a landlord trying to take back the premise after signing a TA to the tenant.
The TA is legit, the rent, deposit, insurance etc will all be settle before the start of operation.
So now his 'loss' is the renovation and equipment.
For some reason, the MA drafted the TA that way that he only start paying upon getting the licence. and the previous council has agreed and signed.
5) ACRA has no right nor authority to meddle in this issue right? If they ask your neighbour to de-register his business, he should ask ACRA to put it in black-and-white.
6) This is a typical case of a Chairman thinking he is a big fxxk!
You neighbour should not talk but ask for written explanations in black-and-white from MCST, and make sure signed by somebody in the MC who will be held accountable (not the Estate Manager). Otherwise, can just ignore MCST until they give your neighbour in legal letter.
Problem is that CCB doesn't reply to any email at all. He gets the condo manager to send.
Between April 2014 to July 2014 (3mths) the condo manager changed 3 times.
First one left because he lives too far from the condo,
The Second one came for only 1.5 mth. Apparently almost got into a fight with that CCB, which at that time was not even in the council but constantly go to MA office and question the condo manager over these and that.
7) Oh yes, if Chairman said is MCST decision to kick your friend out, your neighbour should ask them to put their decision in the Council meeting minutes. Then get a copy of the meeting minutes and seek legal advice.