Z6 Block 157 House Visit, 7 April 2011

Last Thursday, Mr Wong Kan Seng conducted a house-to-house visit at Block 157 of Bishan East Zone 6 RC. Mr Wong was warmly welcomed by the residents who looked forward to their MP's visit. Many were eager to invite their MP into their home and shared generously the compliment for the fine work done by the Town Council as well as the grassroots. A shy resident who declined to be named, shared that the family did not have second thoughts paying a six-figure dollar difference as premium for a flat of the same size in Bishan compared to another housing estate. This is because the family is attracted to the good location and plentiful amenities in Bishan East Estate.

Mr Wong was accompanied by the Zone 6 RC members together with officers from HDB, Town Council, NEA, LTA and the police force.

25th Anniversary Celebration of PCF

Today, Bishan-Toa Payoh celebrates the 25th year of the set up of the PAP Community Foundation (PCF). Members of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr Wong Kan Seng, Minister for Education and second minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, Central Singapore Mayor Zainudin Nordin, Ms Josephine Teo and Mr Hri Kumar graced the event at Bishan Active Park where they joined hundreds of PCF pupils and parents at the park viewing the exhibition and taking part in the activities organised specially for parents and their children.

During the event, the MPs also gave away to 28 deserving students the Bishan-Toa Payoh Community Scholarship. The scholarship is a form of encouragement so that the students would continue to deliver good results and make contribution to the community when the graduate from their course of study.

BISHAN-TOA PAYOH TOWN COUNCIL 5 YEARS MASTER PLAN

On Sunday, 3 April 2011, the MPs for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC unveiled the five-year master plan for the GRC. Residents can look forward to new and improved facilities that cater to their needs. The integration of Kallang River into Bishan Park, a first in S'pore, will also be ready soon. The MPs pledged to continue to provide social assistance and education programmes. With our residents' support, BTP will be a beautiful home and caring community.

Heart warming letter in the Straits Times

My heart warms when I read this letter in the Straits Times today. It is an example of the strong neighbourly spirit in our community that I have talked about. When our residents saw a family who needed help, they spontaneously stepped forward to help them. A resident even went out of the way by driving the family to the hospital. I do not know who these residents are, but I join the writer in saying "Thank You"

From Mar 25, 2011 - ST letter

5 Years of the Community Engagement Programme

The Community Engagement Programme (CEP) is in its 5th year. I was there when the concept was first mooted. Then, the world just saw one of the most horrific suicide attacks in New York by terrorists. Not soon after, we discovered the militant JI cell in Singapore and crippled it. While we took decisive and concrete measures to tighten our borders and harden our defence, we soon see ethnic relations starting to become a problem in many parts of the world, even developed ones. Such a tear in the social fabric made it all the more easy to sow the seeds of hatred and spread the idea of radicalism. Bali, Madrid, London, Jakarta, Mumbai were consequently hit by terrorist groups. Singapore has not been hit by terrorist in recent times, but we are no stranger to race and religious riots. Mutual respect and tolerance for different beliefs and religions has been the social glue that binds us together.

Five years ago, our primary challenge was how to maintain communal harmony in Singapore if a terrorist strikes. Five years later, we have gone a long way. The various clusters have worked hard. One participant lauded how Singaporeans have already imbued the essence of integration into their daily lives. But there is more to be done. PM uses 道高一尺，魔高一丈 to describe how we should always to ready to deal with a terrorist who strive to outsmart you. During the dialogue, Minister Lim Swee Say used the analogy of a ball, and said how Singaporeans should prepare ourselves to bounce back swiftly like a rubber ball during a crisis, and not a glass ball that shatters into pieces.

This is apt. I have said many times that we have a daunting task. We have foiled many terrorists’ attempts to strike Singapore. But they only need to succeed once. The challenge now is whether Singaporeans can rally together and pull through such a crisis when the time comes. I want to believe we can.

From CEP

From CEP

Here are more pictures of the National CEP dialogue that was held on 19 March:

http://www.hometeam.sg/multimedia.aspx?mda_sid=201103201rdrHk0GB2XB

BISHAN EAST GRASSROOTS LEADERS' TEAM BUILDING, 19 MARCH 2011

On Saturday, 19 March 2011, the Bishan East GROs organised a team-building and bonding event involving our grassroots leaders. The exercise was conducted at the offshore island of Pulau Ubin. Away from the busy city and tucked away in the idylic and scenic Outward Bound School on Ubin island, our grassroots leaders broke the ice through a series of team-building and bonding exercises. The day ended with a camp fire, skits and songs put together by our creative grassroots leaders.

The special guests for the event were Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr Chuan Thian Poh, CCC Chairman and last but not least, Mr Cheng Wai Keung, CCMC Chairman.

VISIT TO THOMSON ESTATE

Saturday, 5 March 2011 was a buzzing evening for Thomson estate which is part of the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

At Thomson Sin Min Ville, together with their families, senior residents of Block 23 and Block 24 who are age 50 and above attended a mass birthday party specially organised to celebrate their golden age together. Residents were treated to the birthday cake, a sumptuous buffet dinner and were serenaded by karaoke singing sessions. At the party, senior residents were introduced to the Active Aging Activities and were encouraged to sign up as members to take part in the Wellness Programme to lead a healthier and meaningful life. The party was attended by about 150 residents.
The residents warmly welcome the Special Guest, Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, and Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, and the Guest-Of-Honour Mr Hri Kumar Nair, Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

On the same evening, residents of Sin Ming Garden RC were invited to a fun-filled Block Party organised by Sin Ming Garden RC. The party was attended by about 150 residents.
During the block party, residents were treated to multi-racial cultural performances such as an Indian dance, Malay Karaoke Singing and a Chinese Er Hu Performance. Residents were also delighted to have up-close-and-personal interactions with DPM Wong and Mr Nair.

For the final event of the night, residents of Sin Ming Court were invited to a fun-filled kampong games carnival organised by RC members of Sin Ming Court. There were a whole series of games which brought residents back to the yesteryear of the old days. Parents and children were introduced to vintage games such as, “Marbles Kuti Kuti”, Five Stones, Bubble Balloon, card games and many more. Other than the games that brought back the childhood memories, close to 250 residents were invited to indulge in traditional kampong food specially prepared for them.

DONOR'S APPRECIATION 2011, 18 FEB 2011

The Bishan East Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC) hosted a donor's appreciation dinner on Friday, 28 February 2011. The dinner was hosted by CCC Chairman Mr Chua Thian Poh to recognise the generous acts of donation from stakeholders of the Bishan East community. Through their generous donation, the needy families in our community could continue to receive financial assistance in their times of need. The Guest-of-Honour for the event was Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

During the dinner, DPM Wong was invited to give out memento plaques to our kind donors as a gesture of our appreciation. Close to 50 COMCARE recipients were also invited to the dinner where DPM Wong personally gave out mandarin oranges, together with red packets each worth up to $150 in NTUC vouchers, as well as 10kg of rice.

BLOCK 177 HOUSE VISIT, 25 FEB 2011

Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security and Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, visited the households and families at block 177 Bishan Street 13 on Friday night, 25 February 2011.

The block visit was the first after the Lunar New Year. During the walkabout, many residents took the opportunity to commend the diligent work of the Town Council in keeping the estate and environment clean. Residents were also appreciative of the many interesting grassroots events organised by dedicated grassroots leaders who served the community tirelessly and with dedication. DPM Wong also took time to explain and share with concerned citizens on policy matters related to the Mother Tongue as well as the latest proposed foreign worker levy changes announced in the current Budget 2011.

Mr Wong was hosted by Bishan East RC Zone 3 Chairman Mr Farook, his fellow grassroots leaders, as well as officers from the Town Council, HDB, LTA and NEA.

CHINESE NEW YEAR GARDEN PARTY FOR GRASSROOTS LEADERS

On Sunday, 13 February 2011, the Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues hosted this year’s Chinese New Year Garden Party for Grassroots Leaders at the Istana.  About 4,000 guests were invited.  Among the guests were representatives from Bishan East GROs.  During the event, the guests were treated to fringe activies such as the traditional Chinese “挥春” (Huichun) , music performance by the PA Youth Chinese Orchestra and many other colourful and exciting items.

Here is a group photo taken together with PM and Mrs Lee, DPM Wong Kan Seng as well as Bishan East grassroots leaders at the event.

BEZ2 Block 131 House Visit, 20 January 2011

In the second monthly house visit program, DPM Wong Kan Seng visited Block 131 at Bishan East RC Zone 2 on 20 January 2011. DPM Wong was hosted by RC Chairman Mr Chia Pen Chuen and was accompanied by agency officers from the HDB, NEA, Town Council and LTA. During the walk about, many residents gave DPM Wong positive feedback about their living environment. Despite the relatively higher prices in Bishan area, many residents who bought their homes from the resale market are attracted to the safe and clean living environment as well as the centralised location.

BISHAN EAST EMB 2011

On Saturday, 15 January, 266 students from Bishan East received the Edusave Scholarship and Edusave Merit Bursary from the hands of Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security. DPM Wong is also the Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

In his speech, DPM Wong explained the importance of a good education as an asset for resource scare Singapore. Each year, the government invests heavily in education to equip Singaporeans to face the challenges of global competition. On the ground, grassroots organisations also support such efforts by raising funds and helping to set up educational centres. Highlights of such efforts are the recent set up of the $3.1 million Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Community Scholarship Scheme and the Hampton Pre-School.

BEZ1 Block 110 House Visit, 6 January 2011

Happy New Year to all our Bishan East residents!

For 2011, the new series of block visits started at block 110 at Bishan East RC Zone 1. On the evening of 6 January 2011, DPM Wong Kan Seng visited the households of block 110. During the visit, DPM Wong invited residents to give their feedback and asked for their suggestions and proposals to improve the physical environment. DPM Wong was warmly hosted by the RC members of Zone 1 and accompanied by officers from agencies such as the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council, HDB, Police and Land Transport Authority.