DIALOGUE ON IMMIGRATION AND INTEGRATION, 18 JULY 2010

One hundred grassroots leaders were invited to a closed-door dialogue session with Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs. Mr Wong is also the Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

The dialogue kickstarted with a detailed slide presentation by officers from the National Population Secretariat headed by its Director Ms Sim Ann. This was followed by an interesting Question-and-Answer session with DPM Wong on the panel taking on a slew of interesting and pointed questions ranging from the stress on national resources to social challenges posed by the influx of new citizen and immigrants. In replying and putting context to the questions, DPM Wong shared with grassroots leaders his rich personal encounters.

We are pleased to share with you the following photos taken during the dialogue session.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

BEZ4 Blocks 173 and 174 House Visit, 8 July 2010

Barely one week from the last block visit at block 154 of Bishan East Zone 6 RC, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs and Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Mr Wong Kan Seng, blazed through his trail and continued the hectic series of block visits, this time at Blocks 173 and 174 of Bishan East Zone 4 RC. DPM Wong visited 77 households on 8 July 2010 evening which started at 7:45 pm. Blocks 173 and 174 is a mix of HDB 5-room and Executive Apartments.

Not unexpectedly, residents and families continued to pour accolades and praises for the wonderful and safe living environment in Bishan East estate. Many eager families awaited for this unique opportunity to have their photos taken with their MP while expressing their appreciation to the fine work and efficiency put in by the various agencies for their work in keeping the community clean and crime-free.

The visit was hosted by the RC Chairperson, fellow grassroots leaders and accompanied by officers representing the HDB, Town Council Police, NEA and LTA.

We would like to share with you some photos and videos taken during the block visit.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

BEZ6 Block 154 House Visit, 1 July 2010

The first block visit for the month of July took place at block 154 of Bishan East Zone 6 RC. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs and Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Mr Wong Kan Seng, visited nearly 100 households on 1 July 2010 evening which started at 7:45 pm and did not end until 10:00pm. Many families took the opportunity to express their appreciation and thank Mr Wong and the various agencies for their work in keeping the community safe and clean. One new citizen household was so excited about DPM's visit that they went to the extent of calling up to confirm DPM's visit and even cancelling their air ticket booking for a pre-scheduled trip!

The visit was hosted by the RC Chairperson Ms Lee Ker Hwa and her fellow grassroots leaders and accompanied by officers representing the HDB, Town Council Police, NEA and LTA. The block visit is part of the twice monthly house visit program for Mr Wong to pay a personal visit to residents and obtain their feedback. Many residents commented that the estate is so well developed that they ran out of suggestions or ideas to improve the estate! Now that is one good problem to have.

Here are the photos taken during the block visit.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

Bishan East Family Day, 27 June 2010

Mention the last day of school holiday and many children would groan. After all, many would have gotten used to the more idyllic pace of school holidays where there is no school, homework or CCA. To make sure these children have a memorable last day of the long June vacation, the Bishan East Grassroots Organisations organised the Bishan East Family Day with the theme of "Back to Kampung" on Sunday, 27 June 2010 at the Bottle Tree Park.

On the early Sunday morning, busloads of Bishan East residents woke up early to join Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC at the carnival. Families braved the light drizzle which cleared up fortunately to be entertained by the programs put up for their delight. There were overwhelming participants for the Photo Hunt game where residents searched high and low within the compound to locate the special landmarks and items. For anglers who prefer more serene activities, they took to the lakes to pit their fishing skills to see who had the bigger catch of fishes or prawns in the ponds. Meanwhile, toddlers and young children were kept occupied with the colouring activity and longkang fishing!

We hope that parents and their children had a truly wondering time to bond through these interesting outdoor activities.

Here are photos taken at the event.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

BLOCK PARTIES ON SUNDAY, 13 JUNE 2010

The long June vacation has arrived and you would expect residents to laze in bed on a beautiful Sunday morning. But not in Bishan East. On Sunday, 13 June 2010, RC Zones 1 and 2 organised block parties for their residents. To start off the event, residents and their children took part in the colouring competition which pitted the creative skills of parents and their children. They were joined by DPM Wong Kan Seng while being entertained by a hilarious magic show which tickled the crowd and brought waves of laughter.

At Zone 2, a mass birthday party celebration was organised for the birthday babies born in the same month. They were joined by DPM Wong in the singing of the birthday song and the simple cake-cutting ceremony. Eager residents took the opportunity to take pictures with DPM Wong while many gave valuable feedbacks to him during the visit.

Here are some pictures taken during the event.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

DPM Wong at Zone 1 RC



DPM Wong at Zone 2 RC

Bishan East RC Zones 4, 5 and 6 Warmly Welcomes Dr Ng Eng Hen

Saturday, 12 June 2010 was a unusually busy evening as Bishan East hummed with many activities. The RCs at Zones 4, 5 and 6 organised block parties as well as an early Father's Day cum Mass Birthday Celebration for residents and fathers. During the parties, residents and children were entertained by programmes such as face painting, balloon sculpturing, caricaturist and the ever popular magic shows.

To bring home the message of fire safety, Zone 6 RC organised a fire safety talk which was especially useful for residents and domestic helpers in reacting to fire outbreaks at home. Many eager residents and children could not wait for their turn to try their hands at using the fire extinguisher to put out the flame.

The special Guest of Honour for the parties was Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

Here are some photos taken during the events.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

Dr Ng at RC Zone 5



Dr Ng at RC Zone 6



Dr Ng at RC Zone 4

Dumpling Festival (端午节)@ Concourse @ Blk 156A and Blk 158

The Toa Payoh Central Zone ‘5’ and Zone ‘6’ Residents’ Committees (RC) organised a Dumpling Festival celebration on 12 June 2010 respectively at the Concourse at Blk 156A and Blk 158 Lorong 2 Toa Payoh. The event brought residents of all races together for a night to learn about the Dumpling festival in its commemoration of the great Chinese patriot Qu Yuan (屈原).

Both events were graced by Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, and Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. DPM Wong was invited and gamely joined residents in a Dumpling Making Contest. The participants were treated to a sumptuous dinner whilst being entertained by an array of exciting stage performances.

Here are some photos taken from the event.

…The Bishan East Blog Team..

DPM At Toa Payoh Central Blk 156A



DPM At Toa Payoh Central Blk 158