Bonding Through Community Forum

I spent an engaging Saturday afternoon with some 300 residents and grassroots leaders discussing how we can make our community a better place for all residents. The occasion was the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC community forum.

The forum was part of the GRC’s 3-year workplan process that started in February. The workplan process allowed residents to have a say on how they want to shape our GRC. Before the forum, more than 100 students from 13 schools in the GRC interviewed residents to gather views on how they felt about the GRC. Their views were studied and strategic areas of focus were identified. Teams were formed to look into these areas and propose projects for the GRC.

It was fun and fruitful afternoon, hearing the exciting ideas that various project teams have put together to involve the youth, encourage community volunteerism and promote community bonding. Some of the ideas raise were:

a. Holding a book festival where residents can exchange and trade old books
b. Organising a GRC Garden Festival to promote community bonding through gardening
c. Expanding the annual GRC Healthy Heart Day to a full-scale community sports festival called the Active Heart Day
d. Having a GRC-wide giant recycling project that involves everyone in the GRC
e. Implementing a system to encourage short-term volunteerism by residents on a project basis
f. Having younger residents help older ones get online through Facebook

While some ideas may have been explored previously, what struck me was the enthusiasm and participation by everyone.

For me, the significance of the forum was not the projects that were raised, but rather the process in which the residents came together to put their ideas forward. This process got them closer to other residents while they explored how to improve their communities. It allowed them the opportunity to bond through a common purpose. We should have more of such sessions.

The ideas that were tossed up during the forum will not end after the session. The grassroots leaders will explore how they can implement these ideas with more residents. We will keep the enthusiasm going.

On a personal note, the most encouraging moment of the forum was when a secondary school student stood up and said, “I was involved in interviewing the residents before this forum. What I did was meaningful. How else can I help after the forum?”

The eagerness and passion in the tone of the young man’s voice was inspiring. If we have more young men and residents like him, we will make Bishan-Toa Payoh a better place for all our residents. And if there are more young Singaporeans like him, we will have a bright future.


Wong Kan Seng

BEZ4 Block 179 House Visit, 26 August 2010

August was a busy month for Bishan East where major events such as the National Day Dinner and National Day Observance Ceremony were held to celebrate Singapore's 45th National Day. In the same month, Bishan East was also one of the host venue for the first ever Singapore Youth Olympic Games 2010.

To round up the month of August, Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, visited Block 178 at BEZ4 on 26 August 2010. Residents took the opportunity to express their view and concerns on several community and nation issues such as how senior workers could be helped to prolong their employability. The visit was hosted by Bishan East Zone 4 RC Chairman Mr Tan Khee Koon and his fellow grassroots leaders, accompanied by officers representing the HDB, Town Council, Police, NEA and LTA.

Here are the photos taken during the block visit.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

Youth Olympic Games – it started in Singapore

(Photo from the Straits Times)

The Youth Olympic Games has drawn to a close. In the 12 days of competition, medals were won and lost, but what that won the hearts of many Singaporeans was not the glory of winning the medals but the passion that we felt throughout the games. And it was not just the passion of the athletes that touched us. We also witnessed the spirit and dedication of the volunteers.

Some 20,000 volunteers helped out in the games. There included students taking time off school and retirees who wanted to play a part. They took on roles such as ushers and event programmers. The meticulous planning by the organisers, the support of Singaporeans and the enthusiasm of volunteers made the games a great success.

Although I was unable to attend many of the matches but I managed to catch some of our athletes in action on television. Watching them compete with other international sportsmen in Singapore made me reflect on my school days. I was a school gymnast and swimmer, but the youth athletes during my time did not have the opportunity for such exposure to international competition. Our student sportsmen today have ample opportunities to compete with the very best in the world. Some truly excelled. This shows how much our country has progressed and how our talented student sportsmen now enjoy opportunities and resources that were not available more than a generation ago. The Government has invested tremendous resources our education system which helps students excel in their studies and now, also in sports

Although the YOG is officially over, we should also reflect what it meant for Singapore. We successfully organised the Games even though we did not have any experience organising an international sporting event of such a scale. It is a resounding testimony to our ability to galvanise the nation to get things done. With the conclusion of the Games, Singapore has now sealed our place in international sporting history as the birthplace of the Youth Olympics. In the years to come, we will continue to cherish this beautiful experience. The Youth Olympics will continue to grow and Singapore will forever be remembered as the place where it all started.

Wong Kan Seng

BEZ3 Block 190 House Visit, 12 August 2010

Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Mr Wong Kan Seng, visited residents at Block 190 at Bishan East RC Zone 3 on the Thursday evening of 12 August. Mr Wong, who is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs visited a total of 76 households in that evening to listen to feedback and suggestions from residents on how to improve the estate.

The visit was hosted by the RC Chairperson Mdm Tang Po Tim’s team of fellow grassroots leaders and accompanied by officers representing the HDB, Town Council Police, NEA and LTA. Overwhelming number of residents agreed unanimously that the estate is well looked after by the Town Council with many conveniences of a centralised location which is served by plentiful amenities. From an early Chinese graveyard, many residents still find it unbelievable that Bishan East has become one of the priciest housing estate centred in Singapore and served by two MRT lines.
Here are the photos taken during the block visit.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

PAP COMMUNITY FOUNDATION STUDY AWARD 2010

On Tuesday evening, 24 August 2010, DPM Wong Kan Seng was invited to give away the PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Study Award to a deserving student Ms Regina Ng Hui Xuan. Regina is selected by the PAP Community Foundation as one of the recipients for the PCF Study Award 2010.

Regina Ng and her family lives in Bishan East estate and was a former student of the Bishan East PCF kindergardent. She completed her GCE'O' levels and was admitted into Republic Polytechnic where she is currently pursing a full-time Diploma in Biotechnology.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be presenting to Regina the certificate at a presentation ceremony to be held during the PCF Day 2010 on Sunday, 5 September 2010, at the National Museum of Singapore.

Heartiest congratulations from Bishan East to Regina and keep up your good work!

From PCF Study Award 2010

From PCF Study Award 2010

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

Inter-Faith Ifta@Masjid An-Nahdah

On Sunday, 22 August 2010, Masjid An-Nahdah at Bishan East Street 14 hosted a special inter-faith ifta by bringing friends and leaders among the different religious faith, community and residents to break fast together. The event was especially memorable as it is a rare opportunity for all five Advisors to Grassroots Organisations for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC to gather at a single ifta session. Members of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, DPM Wong Kan Seng, Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen, Mayor Zainudin Nordin, Ms Josephine Teo and last but not least, Mr Hri Kumar, were joined by more than 100 guests at the event.

Earlier, some 120 youths discussed integration issues of new citizens into Singapore, and how they can help play a bigger role in community bonding.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

Bishan East Mid-Autumn Festival on Sunday, 19 September 2010

From Mid-Autumn Festival

The Bishan East GROs will be organising the annual Mid-Autumn Festival celebration for the community and residents on Sunday, 19 September 2010. Ticket are at an attractive price of $2 per person. So come down with your family and children to enjoy a fun-filled evening!

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

Bishan boy win Singapore’s first Youth Olympic Games medal

From Bishan East SYOG Medalist

17-year-old Daryl Tan won a bronze medal in taekwondo at the Youth Olympic Games on Monday, 16 August. He gave us our first Youth Olympic Games medal. Daryl kicked and fought hard despite having groin injuries to earn a place in Singapore’s sports history. In doing so, he made all of Singapore proud.

What is especially heartening to me is that Daryl is our own Bishan boy. He is a student at Raffles Institution and he stays with his parents at Bishan Street 12.

In congratulating on his medal-winning feat, I wrote him a letter saying, “Your tenacious fighting spirit is inspiring. Continue to train hard and set higher goals for yourself in taekwondo. Your fighting spirit will see you excel in the sport.”

Daryl has not only flown Singapore’s flag high by winning Singapore’s first Youth Olympic Games Medal, he has made all of us in Bishan community proud of his achievements.


Wong Kan Seng

Happy 45th National Day, Singapore!

Bishan East ushered in Singapore's 45th National Day with a full weekend of celebrations and events. On Saturday, 7 August 2010, more than 4,500 guests attended the Bishan East National Dinner at the open field beside the Bishan Circle Line MRT Station. This year, a record of 450 tables of guests attended the significant event in celebration of Singapore 45th birthday. The event was organised by Mr William Lee and his team of dedicated grassroots leaders to bring the festivity and joy to the Bishan East Heartlands. During the event, DPM Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, and MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, delivered his National Day message and launched his personal website to connect with the younger generation using the New Media.



Following this, on National Day, DPM Wong joined 900 residents at the Bishan Community Club for the National Day Observance Ceremony. Despite the rain, there was a strong turnout from supportive residents who took part in the Family Colouring Competition and Community Song session. This year, 2 deserving and long-serving grassroots leaders were given the Nation Day Awards. We wish to congratulate Mr Lau Cheng Nam, Treasurer for Bishan East Zone 6 RC for being conferred the Public Service Star (BBM). We would also like to congratulate Ms Frances Tang, Chairperson, Bishan East Zone 3 RC for being awarded the Public Service Medal (PBM) title by His Excellency, Mr S.R Nathan, President of the Republic of Singapore.



..The Bishan East Blog Team..

BEZ2 Block 130 Visit, 29 July 2010

On Thursday, 29 July 2010, the final block visit for the month of July was held at Block 130 in Bishan East RC Zone 2. On that evening, Mr Wong Kan Seng, who is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, visited a total of 96 households at the block.

DPM Wong was hosted by the RC Zone 2 Chairman Mr Chia Pen Chuen and his fellow grassroots leaders and accompanied by officers from the Town Council, LTA, Police and NEA. During the visit, many residents gave feedback eagerly to DPM Wong on the living environment, conservancy and housing issues. Several praised the good and efficient work done by the Town Council in keeping Bishan East clean and are thankful for the safe and secured environment.

For the month of August, we have in store for Bishan East residents a new platform to share with you the developments and happenings within our estate. Do keep a lookout for the next update to this blog.

Last but not least, wishing all Bishan East residents and Singaporeans a Happy National Day as we celebrate 45 years of nationhood.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..