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.