B
MAY/JUNE 2015
RIDGE Family Bonding time
What’s Inside ON THE GROUND New health insurance for all, for life Page 8
COMMUNITY I do, I do, I do Pages 10-11
PERSONALITY Adventurous spirit Pages 12-13
MAKAN
Food oasis in Taman Jurong Pages 18-19
PLUS Bridge_MayJune.indd 1
Family bonding through science Page 9
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WHAT’SINSIDE
MAY/JUNE 2015
MAY/JUNE 2015
BRIDGE A bi-monthly publication of the South West Community Development Council (CDC) EDITORIAL TEAM Ms Dulcie Eng, Ms Adriana Tan Ms Lim Yee Leng, Ms Nurul Ab Rahman and Ms Ellie Poh
03 AYENWORD FROM LING
14 WELLNESS Good health with good oral hygiene
04 ON THE GROUND
20 years' service and still going strong
05 05
A big ‘thank you’ A card to rule them all
15
Wipe out mozzies, wipe out dengue
EDITORIAL AND DESIGN Focus Publishing Limited
16 DISCOVER SOUTH WEST
PRINTER Times Printers South West District: Ayer Rajah, Boon Lay, Bukit Batok, Bukit Batok East, Bukit Gombak, Chua Chu Kang, Clementi, Hong Kah North, Jurong Central, Jurong Spring, Keat Hong, Nanyang, Pioneer, Taman Jurong, Telok Blangah, West Coast, Yew Tee and Yuhua. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior permission from the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure that information is correct and upto-date at time of printing. Contributors’ comments and opinions are their own and do not represent those of the South West CDC. For advertising enquiries, please email southwest_cdc@ pa.gov.sg
Opening the Gateway to opportunity
05 06 08
What is MediShield Life New health insurance for all, for life
09 COMMUNITY
Family bonding through science
10
16 17
Awaken the Dragon
I do, I do, I do
18 MAKAN Food oasis in Taman Jurong
10 12 PERSONALITY Adventurous spirit
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18 22 SNAPSHOTS 24 PLAYTIME
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B R I D G E
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ONTHEGROUND
20 years' service and still going strong MAY/JUNE 2015
Y
outh Executive Committees, Residents’ Committees, Citizens’ Consultative Committee and Community Club Management Committee… the list of community organisations in the South West District which volunteer Steven Chia has unstintingly given his time to over the last 20 or so years is long. In appreciation of his services, Mr Chia was presented with the 20-Year Community Long Service Award on 11 February by Mayor of the South West District Low Yen Ling at a dinner organised by the South West Community Development Council (CDC) for community partners. He was the only one to receive it. It all began in 1992, his first year in university. At the time, he was helping out at the Chinese Development Assistance Council’s Redhill Student Service Centre. “A notice from the People’s Association attracted my attention. It was for a few days of attachment to a Senior Community Development Officer, I was keen to find out how I can serve people, particularly the elderly and the youth,” recounted the 44-year-old. “During those few days, I attended a meeting held by the Mei Ling Zone Residents’ Committee (RC). I joined the group and helped with many block parties and RC events.” Working with people and helping others gave him so much satisfaction that he decided to take up teaching! He is currently Head of Department for Special Projects at Hillgrove Secondary School in Bukit Batok. “Over the years, I’ve been more active at some stages and less active at others, as I grappled with
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starting work, marriage and starting a family,” said the father of a four-year-old daughter. One project that stands out for the ardent supporter of the environment has been promoting “Earth Hour” with his students, from the time it started here. His effort for his constituency won the West Coast Grassroots Organisations and his school then, Nan Hua High School, the “Most Engaging Earth Hour Award Event” award from the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature in 2013.
He also recalled the happy smiles of residents at the St Andrew’s Cathedral Home for the Aged during annual Chinese New Year visits, when his students sing and play games with them, as well as hosting “Merku Udayam”, an Indian cultural carnival initiated by the West Coast GRC and Pioneer constituency Indian Activity Executive
Committees, at which his students put on a Chinese dance item and calligraphy demonstration. Looking back, Mr Chia, who is now helping in the South West CDC and St John Ambulance Brigade, noted: “My late father always told me that it is in giving – in money, services or time – that we make our life meaningful.”
(Community Development Council Standing Committee)
Mr Chia Yew Loon, Steven 15-year Community Long Service Award (Community Development Council Standing Committee)
Mr Chua Thiam Chwee, Andrew, BBM Mr Seah Hwee Kia, PBM Mr Steven Chia is looking forward to serve the community for many more years to come.
(Community Development Council)
5-year Appreciation Award (Community Development Council Standing Committee)
Mr Khairilanwar Baharudin Madam Khong Kar Hong, Evelyn Mr Soh Wei Hao, Jackson 5-year Appreciation Award (Community Development Council)
Mr Chan Chee Mun, Timothy Mr Goh Seo Hian, Julian Mr Low Min Chye Tuan Haji Md Yusof Ismail Mr Muhammad Rasyid Abdullah Mr Tay Kia Lai Mr Tiew Chew Meng, PBM Madam Wee May Ling, Jenny Madam Wong Tzen Yen, Karen
d p f O q a o C C c t c a
F S S Y g f a w l a
A
20-year Community Long Service Award
Ms Chew Soo Gim, Elim, PBM Ms Tina Hung
T
a p s
AWARD RECIPIENTS
10-year Community Long Service Award
A
South West Community Development Council Grassroots Awards 2014
E
h c p
a a g C C d a f
Most Number of Baby Blisscard Families 2014 • Boon Lay Division
f b c p
Most Number of Community Gardens 2014 • Ayer Rajah Division • Taman Jurong Division Most Active Fun Walkers Club 2014 • Bukit Batok East Zone 3 RC
5 p t m
Most Significant Improvement Club 2014 (Fun Walkers) • Bukit Batok East Zone 3 RC
C a f t o
Most Number of Health Qigong Members 2014 • Pioneer Division
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B R I D G E
ONTHEGROUND
5 MAY/JUNE 2015
A big ‘thank you’
T
he evening began with the clashing of gongs and a lion dance. There was also a performance by a quintet from the Keat Hong Chinese Orchestra and a musical quiz for the 280 guests at an eight-course dinner organised by the South West Community Development Council (CDC) to thank community partners for their contributions and celebrate Chinese New Year, a week away then. At the event, held on 11 February at the Singapore Science Centre, Mayor of South West District Low Yen Ling expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the time, commitment and dedication of those who helped “to uplift the lives of the more vulnerable and needy residents”. Grassroots organisations and its leaders are key partners in CDC initiatives, she stressed. “Through your collective
effort, close to 1,500 residents in the district benefitted from more than $300,000 worth of assistance last year.” On top of that, she noted, over 4,000 households received help through the “Adopt @ South West” programme. The CDC has enhanced its “WeCare” initiative, she added, so more support is readily available. Two programmes introduced last year: A bursary to help the elderly pay for courses, and a fund for emergencies, such as a fire in a home. Seventeen people received long-service awards. “Collectively, you have volunteered 140 years of service to the South West community,” said the Mayor. Divisions also received awards in five categories – “Most Number of Baby Blisscard Families”, “Most Number of Community
Mayor Low Yen Ling joins in the lo-hei with guests at the dinner before giving out various awards to community partners and divisions in the South West district.
Gardens”, “Most Active Fun Walkers Clubs”, “Most Significant Improvement Clubs (Fun Walk)” and “Most Number of Health Qigong Members”. “By 31 December, we had
111 community gardens, 165 Fun Walkers Clubs and more than 7,700 Baby Blisscard beneficiaries,” said Mayor Low. “All this is only possible because you are in touch
with the residents, you know who needs what… how much we can support in terms of products and programmes. “It’s all of you who make a huge difference.”
A card to rule them all
E
ven though he is only six months old, little Kaylen Low already has his own unique Baby card, complete with his name and photograph on it. The Baby Blisscard, an adult EZ-link Card with a stored value of $38, is given out by the South West Community Development Council (CDC). It also offers discounts and perks from about 50 participating profamily corporates. Parents can save money from purchases relating to baby clothes, enrichment classes, photoshoots and party items. To celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday, the CDC has personalised the cards with the child’s photo and name, making it even more special. Kaylen’s mother, Ms Claudia Lim, 34, heard about the card from her friends. “They mentioned that it is a special card that only newborns in the South
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(From top, clockwise) Happy parents and children receiving their special edition Baby Blisscards from their respective Advisers to Grassroots Organisations on 26 April at West Coast Plaza. The families could also enjoy a variety of games and handicraft activities which encouraged more bonding among family members. Ms Claudia Lim, with her son Kaylen and husband, are among the first to receive the special edition Baby Blisscard in the district.
West District can receive.” She got a pleasant surprise when she received the personalised card. “It really does make a difference to me as I like the personalised Baby
Blisscard with the photo of my son,” said the customer service executive. She collected the card at the Baby Blisscard roadshow at West Coast Plaza on 26 April.
Ms Lim said she would definitely recommend the Baby Blisscard to her friends. “It has quite a lot of benefits like a discount card, and it’s an EZ-Link card too.”
To apply for the card, parents can pick up a form from a community centre in the South West District or download it from the CDC’s website.
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ONTHEGROUND
What is MediShield Life Numerous questions came up at the MediShield Life dialogue session organised by the South West Community Development Council (CDC) and Ministry of Health (MOH) on 14 March at the Bukit Batok Community Club. Here are the answers to six of the hottest questions asked.
What:
When:
A basic health insurance that replaces the current MediShield and which will provide better coverage for your whole life. It will pay for large hospital bills and expensive outpatient treatment such as dialysis and chemotherapy.
Who:
Every Singapore citizen and permanent resident, including the very elderly and those with preexisting conditions.
By the end of 2015
How:
Benefits will be enhanced under Medishield Life, with higher claim limits and lower co-insurance rates, so that Medishield Life pays more and patients pay less. The premiums for Medishield Life could be paid by Medisave. The Government will provide significant support to help keep premiums affordable for all Singaporeans. All Singapore citizens will receive the Transitional Subsidies regardless of their age and income levels. Lower to middle income households will receive premium subsidies, and the Pioneer generation (PG) will enjoy premium subsidies.
6 burning questions on MediShield Life Q: HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT I RECEIVE THE CORRECT PREMIUM SUBSIDIES? A: The Government will compute premium subsidies based on the existing databases. Subsidies range from 15 to 50 per cent depending on your type of home, the monthly household income per person and do not own more than one property. You need not apply for the premium subsidies but you should ensure that your household information is updated during the Household Checks exercise so that you could receive the correct premium subsidies.
Q: WOULDN’T A NO-CLAIM BONUS ENSURE PEOPLE LOOK AFTER THEIR HEALTH? A: While a no-claim bonus may sound
Q: I CURRENTLY HAVE AN INTEGRATED SHIELD PLAN (IP) COMPRISING PRIVATE INSURANCE attractive, MediShield Life is an insurance AND MEDISHIELD. WITH MEDISHIELD LIFE, DO I STILL that protects us against large hospital bills NEED MY IP? and expensive outpatient treatments. It cannot be compared with car insurance, A: All IP policies already have the for example. People might delay seeking medical treatment so as not to lose the no-claim incentive for that year and their condition might worsen, resulting in incurring larger hospital bills. Also, the need for medical treatment may not always be avoided, even when the policyholder takes good care of his or her health, as accidents are unpredictable. Introducing an incentive such as a no-claim bonus, would penalise these people when it is no fault of theirs. Such a bonus also leads to higher premiums as the additional costs of underwriting this is likely to be absorbed by other policy holders.
MediShield component. The additional private insurance coverage is offered by private insurers which would provide additional coverage for higher class wards in public and private hospitals, but policyholders would also have to pay higher premiums for this higher coverage. MediShield Life provides adequate coverage at Class B2 or C wards in public hospitals. You can still use MediShield Life if you choose a private hospital or a higher class ward in public hospitals, but you would have to pay more out of your own pockets.
Q: DOESN’T MEDISHIELD LIFE DUPLICATE THE MEDICAL COVERAGE PRESENTLY ENJOYED BY PENSIONERS? A: Pensioners will be covered under MediShield Life in addition to their pensioner benefits. Currently, pensioners are not covered for community hospitals, except Ang Mo Kio-Thye Hua Kwan Community Hospital. Spouses of pensioners are also covered for life under MediShield Life, even after the pensioners pass away.
Q: WHY DO I NEED MEDISHIELD LIFE WHEN I ALREADY HAVE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE FROM MY EMPLOYER? A: Healthcare coverage provided by employers is not for life and is not transferrable when you leave the company. MediShield Life provides lifelong coverage. The Government is also exploring ways with companies to provide portable medical benefits for their staff.
Q: WILL MEDISHIELD LIFE PREMIUMS INCREASE IN THE FUTURE? A: The premiums will remain the same for the first five years until 2019. The subsequent increase in premiums will take into consideration factors such as medical inflation, claims experience and medical advancements. However, the Government is mindful to keep premiums affordable and continue to provide premium subsidies for eligible households. No one will be left behind due to inability to afford the premiums.
For more information, visit www.medishieldlife.sg.
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B R I D G E
ONTHEGROUND
7 MAY/JUNE 2015
Soal-Jawab Lazim MediShield Life SOALAN (S): BAGAIMANA BOLEH SAYA PASTIKAN YANG SAYA MENERIMA SUBSIDI PREMIUM YANG BETUL? JAWAPAN (J): Pemerintah akan membuat kiraan subsidi premium berdasarkan pangkalan data sedia ada. Pemberian subsidi adalah antara 15 hingga 50 peratus bergantung kepada jenis rumah, pendapatan isi rumah bagi setiap ahli keluarga dan tidak memiliki lebih daripada satu kediaman. Anda tidak perlu memohon untuk subsidi premium tetapi anda harus memastikan maklumat berkenaan isi rumah anda telah dikemaskini semasa Pemeriksanaan Isi Rumah dijalankan agar anda dapat menerima subsidi premium yang betul.
S: BUKANKAH BONUS JIKA TIADA TUNTUTAN AKAN MEMASTIKAN WARGA AKAN MENJAGA KESIHATAN MEREKA? J: Sedang bonus yang diberikan jika tiada tuntutan dibuat kelihatan menarik, MediShield Life bagaimanapun adalah satu insuran yang melindungi kita daripada menghadapi bayaran hospital yang tinggi dan rawatan pesakit luar yang mahal. Ia tidak boleh dibandingkan dengan insuran kereta, sebagai contoh. Seseorang mungkin menangguhkan sesuatu rawatan kerana tidak ingin kehilangan insentif yang boleh diterimanya jika tidak membuat tuntutan pada tahun itu, dan akibatnya, keadaan kesihatan mereka bertambah buruk dan menyebabkan mereka menghadapi jumlah bayaran lebih besar. Juga, keperluan mendapatkan rawatan tidak mudah dielakkan, meskipun seseorang pemegang polisi itu menjaga kesihatannya dengan baik, kerana kemalangan adalah sesuatu yang sukar dijangkakan. Memperkenalkan sesuatu insentif, seperti bonus jika tiada tuntutan, akan mendenda orangorang sebegini kerana kesalahan sedemikian tidak dilakukan mereka. Bonus sedemikian akan hanya meningkatkan nilai premium kerana kos tambahan itu mungkin ditampung oleh pemegang polisi lainnya.
S: SAYA PUNYA PELAN PERLINDUNGAN BERKAIT (IP) PADA MASA INI, YANG MERANGKUMI INSURAN SWASTA DAN MEDISHIELD. DENGAN MEDISHIELD LIFE, APAKAH SAYA MASIH MEMERLUKAN IP? J: Kesemua polisi IP punya komponen MediShield. Perlindungan tambahan yang ditawarkan oleh syarikat insuran swasta, menawarkan perlindungan tambahan bagi wad untuk kelas lebih tinggi di hospital awam atau swasta. Bagaimanapun, pemegang polisi perlu membayar premium lebih tiggi untuk perlindungan lebih tinggi ini. MediShield Life menyediakan perlindungan mencukupi untuk Kelas B2 atau C di hospital-hospital awam. Anda masih boleh menggunakan MediShield Life jika anda memilih hospital swasta atau wad di kelas lebih tinggi di hospital awam, tetapi anda perlu membayar lebih banyak dari kocek anda sendiri.
S: TIDAKKAH MEDISHIELD LIFE MENIRU PERLINDUNGAN PERUBATAN YANG KINI DINIKMATI PESARA? J: Pesara akan dilindungi di bawah MediShield Life selain menikmati faedah pencen mereka. Pada masa ini, pesara tidak dilindungi untuk hospital masyarakat, kecuali Hospital Masyarakat Ang Mo Kio-Thye Hua Kwan. Pasangan pesara juga dilindungi di bawah MediShield Life, walaupun pesara telah meninggal dunia.
S: MENGAPA SAYA MEMERLUKAN MEDISHIELD LIFE SEDANG SAYA KINI MENIKMATI PERLINDUNGAN PENJAGAAN KESIHATAN DARIPADA MAJIKAN? J: Perlindungan penjagaan kesihatan yang disediakan majikan bukanlah untuk sepanjang hayat dan ia tidak boleh dimanfaatkan apabila anda meninggalkan syarikat itu. MediShield Life menyediakan perlindungan sepanjang hayat. Pemerintah juga sedang meneroka cara-cara dengan syarikat-syarikat untuk menyediakan faedah perubatan mudah alih untuk kakitangan mereka.
S: APAKAH PREMIUM MEDISHIELD AKAN MENINGKAT PADA MASA DEPAN? J: Kadar premium akan kekal sama untuk lima tahun pertama sehingga 2019. Peningkatan premium selanjutnya akan mengambil kira factorfaktor seperti inflasi perubatan, pengalaman tuntutan dan kemajuan perubatan. Bagaimanapun, Pemerintah akan memastikan premium terus dimampui dan terus menyediakan subsidi premium untuk isi rumah yang layak. Tiada siapa yang akan ditinggalkan hanya kerana tidak mampu melunaskan premium. Untuk maklumat lanjut, kunjungi www.medishieldlife.sg.
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Six burning questions on MediShield Life மெடிஷீல்டு லைஃப் பற்றிய ஆறு முக்கிய ககள்விகள்
How can I be sure that I receive the correct premium subsidies? எனக்கு சரியான கட்டண ொனியங்கள் கிலடப்பலை நான் எப்படி உறுைிப்படுத்துவது?
The Government will compute premium subsidies based on the existing databases. Subsidies range from 15 to 50 per cent depending on your type of home, the monthly household income per person and do not own more than one property. You need not apply for the premium subsidies but you should ensure that your household information is updated during the Household Checks exercise so that you could receive the correct premium subsidies. ைற்கபாது அரசு ைகவல்ககாப்புகளில் இருக்கும் விவரங்களின் அடிப்பலடயில் கட்டண ொனியங்கலள அரசாங்கம் கணக்கிடும். நீங்கள் குடியிருக்கும் வட்டு ீ வலக, ைனிநபரின் ொைாந்ைர சராசரி வருொனம், ஒன்றுக்கு கெற்பட்ட மசாத்துக்கு உரிலெயாளராக இல்ைாைிருத்ைல் ஆகியவற்லறப் மபாறுத்து, 15 முைல் 50 விழுக்காடு வலரயிைான ொனியங்கள் வழங்கப்படும். நீங்கள் ொனியத்ைிற்கு விண்ணப்பிக்க கவண்டியைில்லை. ஆனால், நீங்கள் சரியான கட்டண ொனியத்லைப் மபற்றிட, குடும்பநிலை சரிபார்ப்பு நடவடிக்லகயின்கபாது இருப்பலை
உங்கள்
குடும்ப
உறுைிப்படுத்ைகவண்டும்.
ொனியங்களுக்குத்
ைகுைி
மபறுகவாரிடம்
அலெச்சும் கெல்விவரங்கள் மைரிவிக்கும்.
விவரம்
அண்லெ
அெைாக்கத் ெத்ைிய
கைைி
கசெநிைிக்
நிைவரப்படி
சரியாக
மநருங்கும்கபாது, கழகமும்
சுகாைார
Wouldn’t a no-claim bonus ensure people look after their health? காப்புறுைித்மைாலக
ககாராைவர்களுக்கு
கபானஸ்
வழங்கினால்,
ெக்கள்
ைங்கள்
உடல்நைனில் அக்கலற மசலுத்துவலை உறுைிப்படுத்ைைாம் அல்ைவா? While a no-claim bonus may sound attractive, MediShield Life is an insurance that protects us against large hospital bills and expensive outpatient treatments. It cannot be compared with car insurance, for example. People might delay seeking medical treatment so as not to lose the no-claim incentive for that year and their condition might worsen, resulting in incurring larger hospital bills. Also, the need for medical treatment may not always be avoided, even when the policyholder takes good care of his or her health, as accidents are unpredictable. Introducing an incentive such as a no-claim bonus, would penalise these people when it is no fault of theirs. Such a bonus also leads to higher premiums as the additional costs of underwriting this is likely to be absorbed by other policy holders. காப்புறுைித்மைாலக
ககாராைவர்களுக்கு
கபானஸ்
வழங்குவது
சாைகொனைாகத்
கைான்றினாலும்கூட, மெடிஷீல்டு லைஃப் ைிட்டம் ெருத்துவெலனயின் மபருந்மைாலக கட்டணங்கள் ெற்றும் விலையான மவளிகநாயாளி சிகிச்லசகள் ஆகியவற்றிைிருந்து நம்லெப் பாதுகாக்கும் காப்புறுைித் ைிட்டொகும். எடுத்துக்காட்டாக, வாகனக் காப்புறுைித் ைிட்டத்துடன்
இலை
இழந்துவிடக்கூடாது
ஒப்பிட என்பைற்காக
ைாெைப்படுத்ைக்கூடும். ெருத்துவெலன
முடியாது. ெக்கள்
இைனால்
கட்டணங்களும்
ஓராண்டுக்குரிய ெருத்துவ
அவர்களது
சிகிச்லச
உடல்நிலை
அைிகரிக்கக்கூடும்.
கபானலை
அகைாடு,
நாடுவலைத்
கொசெலடந்து, ஒருவர்
ைனது
உடல்நைலன நல்ை விைொகக் கவனித்துக் மகாண்டாலும்கூட, எைிர்பாராை விபத்துகள் கநரக்கூடும்
என்பைால்,
ெருத்துவ
சிகிச்லசக்கான
கைலவலய
எப்கபாதும்
ைவிர்த்துவிடமுடியாது. காப்புறுைித்மைாலக ககாராைவர்களுக்கு கபானஸ் வழங்குைல் கபான்ற சலுலககலள அறிமுகப்படுத்ைினால், விபத்துகளுக்கு உள்ளாகவார் எந்ைத் ைவறும் மசய்யாெகைகய பாைிக்கப்படுவார்கள். இதுகபான்ற கபானஸ் சலுலகயால், காப்புறுைிக் கட்டணங்களும் அைிகரிக்கும். ஏமனனில், கபானஸ் வழங்குவைற்கான கூடுைல் மசைவுகலள ெற்ற பாைிசிைாரர்கள் ஏற்க கவண்டியிருக்கும்.
I currently have an Integrated Shield Plan (IP) comprising private insurance and MediShield. With MediShield Life, do I still need my IP? ைற்கபாது நான் ைனியார் காப்புறுைியும் மெடிஷீல்டும் உள்ளடங்கும் ஒருங்கிலணந்ை காப்புறுைித் ைிட்டம் லவத்ைிருக்கிகறன். மெடிஷீல்டு லைஃப் நடப்புக்கு வந்ைபிறகு, ஒருங்கிலணந்ை காப்புறுைித் ைிட்டம் எனக்குத் கைலவப்படுொ?
All IP policies already have the MediShield component. The additional private insurance coverage is offered by private insurers which would provide additional coverage for higher class wards in public and private hospitals, but policyholders would also have to pay higher premiums for this higher coverage. MediShield Life provides adequate coverage at Class B2 or C wards in public hospitals. You can still use MediShield Life if you choose a private hospital or a higher class ward in public hospitals, but you would have to pay more out of your own pockets. ஒருங்கிலணந்ை காப்புறுைித் ைிட்டங்கள் அலனத்ைிலும் மெடிஷீல்டு ைிட்டம் ஏற்கனகவ ஒரு கூறாக உள்ளடங்குகிறது. ைனியார் காப்புறுைி நிறுவனங்கள் வழங்கும் கூடுைைான ைனியார் காப்புறுைி, மபாது ெருத்துவெலனகளின் கெல்ெட்ட படுக்லகப்பிரிவுகளிலும் ைனியார் ெருத்துவெலனகளிலும் ைங்குவைற்குக் கூடுைல் காப்புறுைி அளிக்கிறது. ஆனால், இந்ைக் கூடுைல் காப்புறுைிக்கு பாைிசிைாரர்கள் உயர் கட்டணங்கள் மசலுத்ை கவண்டும். மபாது ெருத்துவெலனகளின் B2 அல்ைது C வகுப்பு படுக்லகப்பிரிவுகளில் ைங்குவைற்கு மெடிஷீல்டு லைஃப் ைிட்டம் கபாதுொன காப்புறுைி வழங்கும். நீங்கள் ைனியார் ெருத்துவெலனயில் அல்ைது மபாது ெருத்துவெலனகளின் கெல்ெட்ட படுக்லகப்பிரிவுகளில் ைங்க விரும்பினாலும், மெடிஷீல்டு லைஃப் ைிட்டத்லைப் பயன்படுத்ைைாம். ஆனால், நீங்கள் மசாந்ைொகச் மசலுத்ைகவண்டிய மைாலக அைிகொக இருக்கும்.
Doesn’t MediShield Life duplicate the medical coverage presently enjoyed by pensioners? ஓய்வூைியம் மபறுபவர்கள் ைற்கபாது அனுபவிக்கும் ெருத்துவக் காப்புறுைிலயப் கபான்ற அகை சலுலககலளத் ைாகன மெடிஷீல்டு லைஃப் வழங்குகிறது?
Pensioners will be covered under MediShield Life in addition to their pensioner benefits. Currently, pensioners are not covered for community hospitals, except Ang Mo Kio-Thye Hua Kwan Community Hospital. Spouses of pensioners are also covered for life under MediShield Life, even after the pensioners pass away. ஓய்வூைியம் மபறுபவர்கள் ைங்களது ஓய்வூைிய அனுகூைங்கலளப் மபறுவகைாடு, மெடிஷீல்டு லைஃப் ைிட்டத்ைின் காப்புறுைியும் மபறுவார்கள். ைற்கபாது, ஓய்வூைியம் மபறுபவர்களுக்கு அங் கொ கிகயா-ைாய் ஹுவா குவான் சமூக ெருத்துவெலன ைவிர கவறு எந்ைச் சமூக ெருத்துவெலனகளிலும் ெருத்துவ அனுகூைங்கள் கிலடக்காது. ஓய்வூைியம் மபறுபவர்கள் காைொன பிறகும், அவர்களது வாழ்க்லகத்துலணகள் மெடிஷீல்டு லைஃப் ைிட்டத்ைின்கீ ழ் வாழ்நாள் முழுவதும் காப்புறுைி மபறுவார்கள்.
Why do I need MediShield Life when I already have healthcare coverage from my employer? என் முைைாளி ஏற்கனகவ எனக்கு சுகாைாரப் பாரெரிப்புக் காப்புறுைி வழங்கும்கபாது, மெடிஷீல்டு லைஃப் எனக்குத் கைலவயா?
Healthcare coverage provided by employers is not for life and is not transferrable when you leave the company. MediShield Life provides lifelong coverage. The Government is also exploring ways with companies to provide portable medical benefits for their staff. முைைாளிகள் வழங்கும் சுகாைாரப் பராெரிப்புக் காப்புறுைி வாழ்நாள் முழுவைற்கும் நீடிக்காது. அகைாடு, நீங்கள் நிறுவனத்ைிைிருந்து விைகும்கபாது, காப்புறுைித் ைிட்டத்லைத் மைாடர்ந்து பயன்படுத்ை முடியாது. மெடிஷீல்டு லைஃப் வாழ்நாள் முழுவதும் காப்புறுைி வழங்குகிறது. ஊழியர்கள் கவறு கவலைக்கு ொறினாலும் மைாடர்ந்து பயன்படுத்ைக்கூடிய ெருத்துவ அனுகூைத் ைிட்டத்லை வழங்குவைற்கான வழிவலககலள நிறுவனங்களுடன் கசர்ந்து அரசாங்கம் பரிசீைித்து வருகிறது.
Will MediShield Life premiums increase in the future? மெடிஷீல்டு லைஃப் கட்டணங்கள் வருங்காைத்ைில் அைிகரிக்குொ?
The premiums will remain the same for the first five years until 2019. The subsequent increase in premiums will take into consideration factors such as medical inflation, claims experience and medical advancements. However, the Government is mindful to keep premiums affordable and continue to provide premium subsidies for eligible households. No one will be left behind due to inability to afford the premiums. கட்டணங்கள் 2019 வலர முைல் ஐந்து ஆண்டுகளுக்கு ொறாைிருக்கும். அைற்குப் பிறகு, ெருத்துவப் பணவக்கம், ீ காப்புறுைி ககாரிக்லககள், ெருத்துவத்துலற முன்கனற்றங்கள் கபான்ற காரணங்கலளக் கருத்ைில் மகாண்டு கட்டணங்கள் உயர்த்ைப்படைாம். ஆனால், கட்டணங்கள்
கட்டுப்படியாகும்
அளவில்
லவத்ைிருக்கப்படகவண்டும்
என்பலை
அரசாங்கம் எப்கபாதும் கருத்ைில் மகாள்ளும். அகைாடு, ைகுைிமபறும் குடும்பங்களுக்குத் மைாடர்ந்து கட்டண ொனியங்களும் வழங்கும். கட்டணங்கலளச் மசலுத்ை இயைாைைால் யாரும் லகவிடப்பட ொட்டார்கள்.
For more information, visit www.medishieldlife.sg.
மேல்விவரங்களுக்கு, www.medishieldlife.sg இணையத்தளத்ணதப் பாருங்கள்.
B R I D G E
8 MAY/JUNE 2015
ONTHEGROUND
New health insurance
for all, for life S
ome 150 social workers and grassroots leaders in the South West District turned up at a dialogue session on the new MediShield Life scheme on 14 March. Held at the Bukit Batok Community Club, the participants raised questions and offered feedback and suggestions to a panel comprising Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower, Dr Amy Khor, South West District Mayor Low Yen Ling and Adviser to Jurong GRC grassroots organisations David Ong, BBM. At the four-hour long session, suggestions that came up included adopting a no-claim bonus and whether those with private insurance policies can opt out. Before the Q&A session, Ms Jasmin Lau, Deputy Director of Finance Policy at the Ministry of Health (MOH),
took the audience through a 30-minute presentation that highlighted the benefits of MediShield Life and the mechanics of how the scheme would work. She said that the new insurance scheme will replace the current MediShield at the end of 2015 and will cover all Singapore citizens and permanent residents throughout their lifetime. Unlike the current MediShield, the new insurance coverage will not end when the insured person turns 92 years old. Instead, coverage will go on for life. It will also cover those who are currently ill or previously excluded because of ailments such as a congenital heart defect. With MediShield Life, Ms Lau pointed out that patients will pay less for medical treatments. In one of the examples
she provided, a 48-year-old who suffered a stroke and is hospitalised for ten days in a B2 ward and four days in intensive care will only need to pay $2,553 of his $10,100 subsidised bill compared with $4,810 through MediShield today. Naturally, premiums would be slightly higher but there would be financial assistance from the Government for residents who may need the extra help, added Ms Lau. All citizens would receive transitional subsidies of 90 per cent in the first year, 70 per cent in the second year, 40 per cent in the third year and 20 per cent in the fourth year. Members of the Pioneer Generation would also receive more generous subsidies between 40 and 60 per cent, depending on age. These subsidies will be granted before the
Transitional Subsidies are applied. Mr Mohd Zin, a grassroots leader at Bukit Batok East, said he was relieved by assurances that no one would lose MediShield Life coverage because they cannot afford the premiums as there would be additional assistance for those who are unable to afford the premiums even
YOUTH OF EXCELLENCE FOR SINGAPORE
Bridge_MayJune.indd 8
S a K
for Early Detection Screening (MEDS) @ South West
F
ॅྛळXଶއ FREE mammogram for women who meet the following criteria:
You may contact us at 62763818 or email dss@apsn.org.sg to perform or participate
t
To get an estimate of what your premium could be, check out the Premium Calculator at www.medishieldlife.sg/calculator
At Jurong Medical Centre, 60 Jurong West Central 3, Singapore 648346
Date: 25 July 2015 Time: 10 am to 3 pm Venue: Bukit Gombak Stadium
F
MAMMOGRAM
SG50 CARNIVAL:
Started in 1997, the mission of APSN Delta Senior School is to equip persons with special needs through best practices in education, training and support services, for open employment and life-long learning. The school wishes to celebrate SG50 with the community, and cordially invites residents and performing talents to put up performances. Admission is strictly by invitation, so please register with us by 15 July 2015.
after subsidies. He also said that he is now in a better position to explain the details of MediShield Life to the residents. “It is good that everyone is insured for life for I have witnessed families trying to cope with the expense of medical treatment”, said the 55-year-old estate management consultant.
a) b) c) d)
Blue / Orange CHAS Card Holder; Reside in the South West district; Aged 50 & above and not screened in the last 24 months; No breast abnormalities (breast lumps, blood stained nipple discharge); and e) No known history of breast cancer.
ঐๆኍ९ጲሆᄟୈǖ ጙDž౸0߄CHASఌߒᎌᑗǗ औDžᓕᏴᇝฉཌǗ ྯDž50ႶૺጲLj݀Ᏼਭབྷࡼ24ৈᏜดᎌቲྛळXଶއă ႐DžᎌྀੜྛळፊޟDŽྛळᒭ్LjኪྛᄿፅጘDžǗਜ਼ ᇋDžᎌᑧࣥਭનᎌྛምڋă For free screening: please call hotline: 6716 2222 (Monday to Friday: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm / Saturday: 8.30 am to 12.30 pm ) or E-mail: appointment@juronghealth.com.sg for an appointment. Quote ‘South West MEDS’ to qualify for the free screening. ᎷሱᎌॅྛळYଶއLj༿݄ࡌᎽಊጛ೦ᒦቦࡼེሣ࢟જ 6716 2222DŽᒲጙᒗᒲᇋǖᇍ8࢛30ॊᒗሆᇍ5࢛30ॊ0 ቩ໐ങǖᇍ8࢛30ॊᒗሆᇍ12࢛30ॊDž࢟ᎆǖ appointment@juronghealth.com.sgᎾᏖLj ݀ၤᇝฉಯ્ࡼྛळXଶއଐચă
E C d
SOUTH WEST TERTIARY GRANT 2015
ᇝฉཌࢀኧঀ ᓐኧ2015
g t r a 4 f
Bursary with a Heart: $500 to defray schooling expenses; Two (2) days of community service in a year to give back; and Certificate of Contribution for community service.
• • •
v u d i h I p
Apply if you meet the following: Singapore citizen and resident of the South West District; Full-time Polytechnic or University student; Passionate about community service and want to serve/help; and Household Income of $3,000 or per capital income of $750 and below, whichever is lower.
• • • •
S s w c e e u e
Apply at your nearest Community Club within the South West District now! Visit www.southwestcdc.org.sg or call 6316 1616 for more information.
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3/7/15 9:27 am
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B R I D G E
10
COMMUNITY
I do, I do, I do MAY/JUNE 2015
Fifty married couples ushered in 2015 by renewing their wedding vows, setting a new record in the Singapore Book of Records
“Y go Mayor of South West District Low Yen Ling (third from left) and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong (second from left), together with Mr Alex Yam (fourth from left), Adviser to Yew Tee Grassroots Organisations and Mr Ang Hak Seng, BBM (first on left), Chief Executive Guest-of-Honour, Mayor of South West District Low Yen Ling (second from left) and Minister for Culture, Community and Director of People’s Association, shook up a concoction with red date Youth Lawrence Wong (third from left), shake hands with couples during the ceremony to renew their wedding vows. longan tea, a Nonya and baba specialty.
I
t was déjà vu for Joey and Daniel Tan when they said “I do” again at Ban Heng Pavilion Restaurant on 1 January. 12 years ago, they had held their wedding dinner at the Chinese eatery at HarbourFront Centre. They had invited close to 350 relatives and friends for that memorable 28 November occasion. She had worn a white strapless gown and he, a black suit. At this special dinner event, they got to relive those magic moments. Among the 10 family members and friends who joined them were their 12-year-old son and 10-yearold daughter. The children served as witnesses to mummy and daddy’s renewal of their promise to love and cherish each other till death, in front of a crowd which included Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Adviser to Boon Lay Grassroots Organisations. The Tans were among 50 couples, who each eagerly took their turn to step on
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stage for their moment in the spotlight at “Cinta Sayang Love”. The youngest were in their early 30s and had been married for eight years, and the oldest were in their mid70s and had made their vows to each other 50 years ago. All were dressed to the nines, in traditional Chinese cheongsams for the women and changshans for the men, Peranakan outfits, or western suits and gowns. The Peranakan-themed event, attended by about 500 people, was the third such gathering to be held. To mark Singapore’s 50th year of independence, the crowd shook up a concoction with red date longan tea, a Nonya and Baba specialty, and made it to the Singapore Book of Records for the most number of people making mocktails. The evening was organised by a team of 15 Family Life Champions from Ayer Rajah, Boon Lay, Clementi, Pioneer, Yew Tee and Yuhua divisions. “After seeing all the happy smiles and the way couples hugged each other or shared kisses, all
the hard work that went into organising this event was worthwhile,” said the organising chairman and Yew Tee Family Life Champion, Madam Phang Koei Hiong, BBM. Couples paid $10 to attend the ceremony, which included an eight-course dinner. At the end, they received a certificate, a bottle of red wine and a photo stand. While love and romance were in the air that evening, the gathering was also a celebration of the hard work, perseverance and tolerance that go into sustaining a marriage. “It’s the living together after the wedding that takes genuine effort. The simplest
things can cause friction and arguments, such as different habits in squeezing a tube of toothpaste or lifting up the toilet seat,” said Guest-ofHonour, South West District Mayor Low Yen Ling. “There’s a great deal of kindness and understanding needed to make a marriage last. But as we work on improving our shortcomings, we become a better person on the whole,” the mother of two added. Mrs Joey Tan, 37, who had her first child when she was 26, could not agree more. “You get so caught up in childrearing and homemaking that you often sacrifice time with friends, and the freedom to pursue your hobbies or dreams,” said the freelance
--------------------------------------------------“There’s a great deal of kindness and understanding needed to make a marriage last. But as we work on improving our shortcomings, we become a better person on the whole”. South West District Mayor Low Yen Ling
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property manager. She met her 36-year-old husband at their workplace, a logistics company, when she was 23. At first, she did not have a good impression of him, as he took medical leave frequently. But she changed her mind after getting to know him. She found out then that he took medical leave frequently because he had sleep problems, and they worked to sort this out together. They married two years later. Early marriage and parenting has its rewards, she noted. “When your children grow up, you still have energy left to work on your own aspirations. The age gap between you and them is also not wide. I enjoy lots of common interests with my children, such as K-pop songs.” Her advice to other couples: “Stay firm and steadfast. You have to keep telling yourself you can overcome all challenges together, as a couple, or more importantly, as a team.”
3/7/15 9:28 am
B R I D G E
COMMUNITY
11 MAY/JUNE 2015
Tipsonaforevermarriage You need:
ROMANCE
Bridge finds out what makes a marriage last by sharing these couples’ tips.
“My husband would get me my favourite flowers – carnations and lilies – for our wedding anniversary each year,” said Madam Kee. You need:
CARE “When I was hospitalised due to fatigue, my husband painstakingly spruced up our bedroom to welcome me home after my discharge,” said Madam Kee.
You need:
HONESTY
“It’s normal to have small quarrels, but we always make up soon after. There are no secrets or grudges between us and we try to be as honest as we can to each other,” said Madam Wong. You need:
Mr Low Aik Boon, 71, and Madam Kee Ka Hai, 70 (right), seen here with their daughter, Madam Lynndal Low, 50, and her husband, Mr Francis Woo, 55 (left), have been married for 53 years.
RESPECT “While we do share common interests, we value and respect each other’s hobbies and personal time,” said Madam Wong.
You need:
STRENGTH
You need:
“You must be prepared to face not only the good times but the bad times together, and be each other’s strongest support,” said Mr Low, a retired fish farmer and trader.
“We always watch TV together every evening without fail. We love dramas and would discuss the plot together,” said Madam Wong.
TIME TOGETHER
Mr Woon Koon Beng, 73, and Madam Wong So Hua, 68, have been married for 50 years.
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B R I D G E
12
PERSONALITY
Adventurous spiri MAY/JUNE 2015
A
t 14 years old, Mr Cedric Foo took his first trip out of the country – he hitchhiked to Malaysia with another boy. Soon after, he was off on other adventures – he canoed around Singapore with some fellow sea scouts, then he cycled round the island! “My parents were much more relaxed about such things compared to parents these days,” he explained, almost wistfully, when recalling his youth. The former Boy Scout’s choice of sports in school also indicates the mettle of the man – he learnt judo and karate. These were just two of the activities he packed in then. “I had many adventures when I was younger. I guess in that department, I’m now living on past credit.” Currently, the Group Deputy President and Chief Financial Officer of global shipping company, Neptune Orient Lines, squeezes evening strolls and a swim into his tight schedule every now and then. He also plays golf. But his children offer the opportunity to occasionally relive those adrenaline-pumping days, when there was more to life than scoring high grades. He has gone scuba-diving and skiing with them, including whooshing down steeper slopes. He has four, aged between 11 and 23. “Raising children in Singapore isn’t easy, but there are great joys in having extended family gatherings,” said Mr Foo, who himself has three siblings, while his wife has six. “Logistically, though, it can be very challenging to find a time and place to accommodate everyone.” Still, he manages to spend one-on-one time with each child. On one occasion, he drove around Germany with one of his sons. “It was something both he and I will remember well. That time together, just the two of us, was incredible,” said the 54-year-old, adding, “I take each of my children out to do what they like every once in a while. This gives me the chance to listen to their individual concerns, and to hear their thoughts on matters.” At home, he does not always have the final say in discussions on current affairs, despite having “home-ground advantage”. “We don’t always agree with each other. Young people have a different perspective, but I think my kids understand that being populist is easy to do. It’s for parents to explain to their children why certain fads and trends may not be best for Singapore.” The youth of Singapore have many strengths and much more exposure than we had, he noted, “but some may lack a sense of history, of where we came from, of what brought us here”. A book to be published by the Pioneer division of the PAP Community Foundation to commemorate Singapore’s 50th birthday will, hopefully, offer some insights to the area. It is on the development of his current constituency and its residents. Pioneer is also planning a gala dinner on 7 August for its residents “to get together to celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday”. He also proudly pointed out that his is the first estate with CCTVs in every HDB lift lobby. It also has a SAFRA club and the relatively new Frontier Primary School, which has cut young residents’ travel time to school. On the cards are a new market cum hawker centre, a polyclinic, a mosque and several more childcare centres. His favourite place in the ward is its community club, which he helped design, raised money for and watched developed. “The CC is an important focal point, a place where neighbours meet. In the past, we used to leave our doors open and kids ran around along the corridors. But it’s not the case anymore. So, activities organised by grassroots groups are needed to bring residents together.”
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On the government’s role 关于政府所扮演的角色 One of the government’s roles is to solve problems that the public can’t yet see. We have to see future problems through the eyes of an unborn child. What would he be facing when he grows up? And how we can ensure that Singapore continues to thrive during his time. At the end of the day, Singapore’s future must be at the centre of our policies. We should avoid trading long-term goals for expediency today. “政府扮演的角色之一，是解决民众没有预见的问题。我 们看问题时，必须考虑到还未出世的宝宝。他们长大后会 面对什么样的世界？我们如何确保新加坡到了那个时候仍 旧繁荣昌盛？到头来，新加坡的未来将会是我们政策的核 心考量。我们应避免为今日的利益牺牲长远目标。”
On Singapore’s past and future 关于新加坡的过去和未来 “After 50 years, Singapore can take great pride in what we’ve achieved. But it’s also a time to reflect on how we came to be exceptional, how we tweaked things along the way, or changed course as the world has evolved. We must always remember that we are living on a shared planet, in a shared city and a shared precinct. If everyone looks only at his own interests, then conflicts will arise. If we try to see things from others’ perspective and with a little kindness, we can all enjoy our shared spaces.” “经过了50年，我们能为新加坡所取得的成就感到骄傲。 但此时也是该进行反思的时候。我们要回想过去是如何把 自己变得与众不同，以往我们是如何因时制宜，顺应世界 的改变。我们要牢记，我们与他人共享这个地球、这座城 市和这个邻里。假设每个人只看到自己的利益，就会出现 纠纷。如果我们都能为别人设想，多点友爱和宽容，我们 就能和睦相处，分享这个共同空间。”
3/7/15 9:41 am
B R I D G E
pirit
PERSONALITY
13 MAY/JUNE 2015
ᣏ䮖⺋ 㚢ㅍㅰᱨ⟛㺤ⳇ㥸㔶☾㮥╴㜚ⓞ⥖ろᱨ⧧⼹㮥 ⢔ㅖ㔶▔⒳ㄶ㔶㑉☨㙫⟇⒝㱶⿷⹂㣩㫳ᮣ ╱⨍⏥ⳕᱨ㚳㱾㱸㋦㚳㜳㦅ⲿ⺈ᮣ㱸㮥⪰ᱨ㚳⧧ ⭎ッ㟠㗁㟣ⴎ☨㈷㱹㵀㨰⭩㋄⦽㲚⪆⛢ㅄ㺽⨍ᱨ⪑㋱ Ⱉ㜚⒝㑄☞㮥㺾ᱝ ⪰㦛㋲ㅰ㔕㖫⤾ᱨ㚳㲗▞⡮☼㙭ᱶ᮰⧧㦆㵀 ☨⭨⒌㦐⌴㺐㥲ᱨ☕ㅰ㣄☨⡖ㄾ⛶㸆㨗⫆⛑㗁㦐☕ ➥㨲☨ᮣ᮱ ⓥ⼗㗁㮥ッ㟣ⴎᱨ⟛㥸㔶☕ㅰ㮜㫓㑟☤⧧喰㐫☤ ☬ⶌ㬕⢔㑉㱪㋺⧧ㅓ⻲☨㴱⛑ᱨ✚㸆㺝㗁㚳㺼✂㠖 ⫆⛑㺐㺲☨㋦㺲⼉⢔ᮣ ᮰ㅰ㎡㖫☨㣄㱸⥙⏥㔕㜳㦅ⲿ⺈ᱨ㦆㵀㮜㺝㱸⪰ 㢨☨➽⼗ᮣ᮱ 㑥ⱅᱨ㔩㢜㮟㣣⍕⏦㐩㎲☨㨰⭩㋄⛍➝⦽⪢⭅ 㟹㐩㎲⡏㽼⏭⭼㗑㥟⏰㣣⤵ᱨ⟛㥸㔶⪑㗁ⲳ⼋㵀⊇ の㺲ⓑⶥ㵀⊦㠡㓞⏧⧧㱶㱦ᱨ㈀✝㮜⪹▘⡽✝⟒㎲ᮣ ⏥⥙ᱨ⧧⦼㽳㦐╌☨㖫⤾㐲㮜㑁㚳㱸⫒⪹㈀✝㺺 㖪㎠╠ᱨ㺺㢴ㅍ⛰⏥㗁㬥㬥⡽➶⤮㙟☨㔶⫆㝛㬕ᮣⓥ ⼗⧧⦼㽳わ㮥㋲㐣㍱㙦ᱨ㚳㮜▞㚳わ㐣⪄㫕ᱨ㝛㬕╹ ⡽╌⭈Ⓝ✚㥲☨ⶼ⡮ᮣ 㚳☨㙼⢔⦼㽳ᱨㅰ⭣㾎㨏☨ 㚢ᱨ㾎▙☨ 㚢ᮣ ⟛㥸㔶㙭ᱶ᮰㚜㙭㵀㨰⭩㋄㬤㲥⦼㽳⏥㑛㯁ᱨ☏ ☕㐩⭨㔋㥲Ⳮ㵀㮥㋲㖫ᱨ㐲㗁➧⒋㨲☨ᮣ᮱㚳⧧ 㜡㜡⛞⹂㽴▙⭨㟙ᱨ㚳㱸㑻⢔㩄♀ⰷるᱨ㜡㜡㵘㱸 ⽅⢔ᮣ᮰☕㐹ᱨ㮔≠㈉㮥⢔▙⭨⛞㮾☨㖫⭺⧧☼ ♇ᱨ㗁㮥▙㝪㷡ᮣ᮱ ⲳ⤸㑥╱ᱨ㚳⪑㗁㔤➈ⓑ㖫⭺⧧⦼㽳㮥⛶㮥☨ 㦐╌ᮣ㱸㮥⪰ᱨ㚳ⳟ⧧㋦㺲㮥⢔✛㽳⒝㱶☦⥖ᮣ 㚢☨㚳㸆㬥㋂⭱ㅍ╴☨᮰㎗㽳㱶᮱ᱶ᮰ㅍ㗁⢔ 㑁㣄わㅗ㠰☨⿍㨾ᮣ☕㖫ⳟ㺝㱸㣄わ⼉⢔ᱨ⡮ⴇ㟚⏥ 㙴㯓☨ᮣ᮱㚳⏣Ⓦ㙭ᱶ᮰㣄㈀✝⪹▞⢔⍜⦼㽳㐣㾖 㚳わ㥢⪎㾖☨㖼ᱨⰼ╱⫒⪹㝳㝳㚳わ☨㨲㖼⧧⛶㮥㨗 㖼㎩☨㦛➈ᮣ᮱ 㚜㐹㷠ⲳ⼗᮰㻙⒉㱭㗀᮱ᱨ☏㸆⢔⊄⊄㵀⭨ ⧧⦼㽳わ㝌㖫㖼㖫ᱨ㐲㢦⍄㗁㚳わ☨᮰⛶㗐᮱ᮣ ᮰㣄わ⏌➧ょ╴⛞㟠㯌⌷╱☨ⶄ➈ᮣㅰ㎡㑉ⶄ㖼㎩ ☨Ⱋ⛪⏥㮥㬥ᱨ☏㣄ⴇ☧⦼㽳わ⪑㗁ㅢ⼗ⰶᱨ㮔㾖㐟 㴩㚳㑉☨㖼⧶㑛㯁ᮣ☏㔩㢜⡖ㄾᱨ㣄わ㱸⍄㮔㑁⦼㽳 タ⊅ᱨ㢜㖬ぼ㮥㨗⽃㨾㎷㗀⏥㮥⛊⛶㨰⭩㋄㱸⺉ᮣ᮱ ⌴㋲㔋㮥■ᱨ㖫㥲☨㎠㔕ㅰ㱸㩛✂㍿㦞ᱨ⮑☨㖺 ギ㮜✂ᮣ☏㚳㐲⽀㯌☡ᱶ᮰㱸㨗ㅰ㎡㑉ㅢ㐯➆⛶⺈ 㖱☨㑍㺌ᱨ⏥㎥ⓦ㥸⌞㑥⧨㮥⿁㽿⹂ᱨ㑥⧨≿㣄わ▞ ⼸☡㦆㽔ᮣ᮱ 㑉ス㨾⛑☗㔣㎸⫑ⱄ⪹☨㥸㎽㎸➶㺉㢜㎬㽃㨰⭩ ㋄⛢⻮ 㺾ㅰ✚ⓞ⊔☨㗣⭄ᱨⳟ㥓㠯㑁ㅰ㎡㑉㵀㸆➝ ギ㱸✂㮥♇㑍㖰ᮣ㸆〉㗣Ⰶ㗰☨㗁⡡㎸☨➂㷝㖱⧧⳥ ス☨⤦㖼ᮣ 㥸㎽㎸㮜⭜⪆㵀 㴨 㑓㢜⳥スⳫ⊚㮥⒉㖜㬓ᱨ ᮰⹂㮥⒉▙⥂ㄩ⪎㎬㨰⭩㋄⯼⥖50㺾ㅰ☨Ⳮ⪹᮱ᮣ ⟛㥸㔶㮜㽴⧚☼㺚ⓞᱨ㥸㎽㎸㗁㗑⢔㵀ょ㾙㾉㣏♋ 㝓ⶪ㽐㺥⍁⿁♋㗍☨㽁㷐㎸ᮣ㎸ㅠ㮜㱸㷡⌤ⴎ㑉㨛⪹ ⏩ᱨ✚⡳㋶㱫⏥ⳕ☨㥸⟆㨏㫓ᱨ⢚㚭⛮⼗㨏㈷㱹 㠭➕㫓㨑☨㖫⭺ᮣ⡡㎸㮜⭜⪆⯼㮥⢔㨰≻㓮⭼㗦㖭㺲 㨲ᮢ㮥⭨㽻⧩㸓⼒㚱ᮢ㮥㚱⪰Ⱐ㜹ᱨ㮾⭆✂⭨㠄✛㚱ᮣ 㫍㎸ㅠ㚳㾎㥢⪎☨☼➝㗁ス㺼⏩ᮣ☕ⓝᱨ㚳⏸ 㲓⼗㔤⭜⥙⒴⏌㨛㻜ⓗⶾᱨ⢚⮑㺆⼗㚴㮥⏧⏧☨㠞⤀ᮣ ᮰ス㺼⏩㗁㮥⢔㺺㮔☨Ⳮ⭅♇⧧㑁Ⱚ➛⼦⳥ ⿱⡮㎩☨☼➝ᮣ⥙㐣ᱨ㣄わ⪹≿⭨ろ⒐ᱨ㑌㱱⦼ 㽳わ㵀㽿⹖㔋䪔㥧ᮣ㑥ⱅ㸆㬥☨㎩Ⳃ㮻⏥⡒▌㵀ᱨ㯜 ╱㩖㮔㱸⫑␍㾉㺑㻙⊚⫆⛑ᱨ㑁⳥スⳭ㵀㮥㋲ᮣ᮱
Bridge_MayJune.indd 13
3/7/15 4:01 pm
B R I D G E
14 MAY/JUNE 2015
WELLNESS
W w
Good health with
good oral hygiene Women, in particular, are at higher risk of dental problems
H
is gums were sore and some teeth felt wobbly. A month later, when the pain grew worse, Mr Mohammad Shah Ismail, 48, went to a dentist. The dentist said his symptoms could also be signs of diabetes. The gardener was indeed found to be diabetic and he is now undergoing treatment for this chronic lifelong condition. Like Mr Mohammad Shah, not many people know that oral health can offer clues about their overall health — or that problems in the mouth can affect the rest of the body. Dr Wong Li Beng, a dentistry consultant with JurongHealth, explained: “The truth is any problem that originates from the mouth, if left untreated, can
Bridge_MayJune.indd 14
affect the rest of the body. “Tooth decay can progress from the enamel, the outermost layer of the tooth crown, into the dentine and pulp, causing severe toothache or pulpitis.”
Dr Wong also points out that there has been enough scientific evidence linking gum disease and other conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and maternity problems.
Oral hygiene and women Women are at higher risk of dental problems and gum disease during puberty, pregnancy, menstruation and menopause. There is also a correlation between high hormone levels in the body and inflammation in the gums. Studies have shown that a pregnant woman who forgets to floss could face much more problems than a nonpregnant woman, as the plaque that develops can cause swollen, painful growths in gums very quickly. Studies have found that pregnant women with dental problems have
higher risk of premature labour and babies with low birth weight. Medical studies have also revealed that post-menopausal problems could include tooth decay due to reduced flow in saliva and autoimmune conditions where the body’s immune system wrongly attacks healthy body tissue such as those in the mouth. Women who find that their mouths are often dry should sip water frequently. They should also reduce coffee consumption and avoid alcohol-containing mouthwashes.
ENSURING GOOD ORAL HEALTH Eat a HEALTHY DIET and limit snacking, especially of sweet food CONSULT A DENTIST as soon as a problem arises REPLACE THE TOOTHBRUSH every three months or sooner if bristles are frayed Brush teeth at least TWICE A DAY
FLOSS daily
Go for REGULAR DENTAL CHECK-UPS, about once every six months
3/7/15 9:29 am
M o r
B R I D G E
WELLNESS
Wipe out mozzies, wipe out dengue A
Mayor Low (centre), together with Adviser to Yuhua grassroots organisations Grace Fu (left), explaining the 5-Step Mozzie Wipeout to residents at the launch.
drop in dengue cases in Singapore this year does not mean that Singaporeans should let our guard down. In fact, it is even more important to stay vigilant and work as a community to prevent dengue cases from rising in the next few months, which is the traditional dengue peak season. This was the message sent by Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Grace Fu at the annual “Do the Mozzie Wipeout” Campaign 2015 on 19 April. Held at the Bukit Gombak Neighbourhood Centre, the launch was hosted by South West District Mayor Low Yen Ling.
15 MAY/JUNE 2015
ZZIUET
M IPEO W
In the South West District, “Operation Mozzie Free @ South West” aims to raise community awareness of the dangers of dengue fever, how it is transmitted and to promote good habits that prevent mosquito breeding. This programme was first launched in 2006 and this year’s initiative targets to help residents increase their vigilance towards dengue prevention. Under the “Operation Mozzie Free @ South West” initiative, 10,000 Dengue Fighters’ To-DoList fridge magnet boards were produced, based on residents’ feedback. This handy magnetic board, which comes with a
whiteboard marker, allows residents to write down their household tasks. More importantly, it features the 5-Step Mozzie Wipeout and extra tips to be incorporated with residents’ daily tasks to prevent mosquito breeding. These boards will be distributed to residents through house visits and outreach events. In addition, there will also be exhibitions, dengue prevention videos, talks and quizzes in heartland malls within the district to increase residents’ awareness of the importance of reducing the mosquito population and stemming dengue transmission.
Do the 5-Step Mozzie Wipeout ᐱఎᆩǑݛᒾ Lakukan 5 Langkah Mozzie Wipeout
5 வழிகள
1
ெகா
2
கைள ஒழி
3
க
ேவா
4
5
*Bti: Baccillus thuringiensis israelensis
an active ingredient that controls mosquito populations without harming other living creatures or plant life
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3/7/15 9:29 am
B R I D G E
16 MAY/JUNE 2015
DISCOVERY
A
O h l
F
D u P i c t v o
E t a f h d a a
Mayor Low steam-ironing with a Big Box representative at the Jurong Job Fair 2015.
u f a f o 4
Other organisations recruiting employees at the fair included JurongHealth (top) and Genting Hotel Jurong.
Opening the Gateway
to opportunity
C s N U e P S k J
A host of urban development projects within the South West District brings more job offerings to the doorsteps of residents.
D
espite being in semi-retirement since 2009, Madam Alakarusamy Rukumany is not one to rest on her laurels. The South West District resident enjoys being up and about, and meeting people from different walks of life. Hence, it is no wonder the 65-yearold finds her current job as a cashier with Big Box, a warehouse retail mall in Jurong, fulfilling. “The nature of my work allows me to interact with different customers and learn new skills in service and retail. The travelling distance, which was one key consideration in my job search, is also manageable. Now I can be home from work within 15 minutes and
Bridge_MayJune.indd 16
spend more time with my family,” she said. Apart from living in a more developed and vibrant neighbourhood, residents in the district will now also have access to a wider range of employment opportunities nearer to their homes. Three new additions to the Jurong Gateway – Big Box, Genting Hotel Jurong, and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital - have brought close to 500 job openings at a job fair on 10 February at the Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability. Co-organised by the South West Community Development Council (CDC), Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and the Singapore Workforce Development
Agency (WDA), the fair offered a diverse array of positions ranging from the rank-and-file to professional jobs in the retail, hospitality and healthcare industries. Mayor of South West District, Ms Low Yen Ling, said during the launch of the job fair: “Jurong Lake District’s rejuvenation will bring new opportunities and exciting potential for residents to work, play and live in the South West District. By reducing commuting time, work productivity and work-life balance could be greatly enhanced.” The recruitment drive emphasised two aspects – helping workers establish a healthier work-life balance and the upgrading of skills. For example, Big Box
is collaborating with the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (SIRS) to tailor training programmes specific to the relevant positions. It is also working to provide flexible working hours to cater to the needs of potential employees. Genting Hotel Jurong, which is under the Resorts World Sentosa, not only provides classroom and on-the-job training, but also personal mentorships for talent development and succession planning.
t m a t m e A o h p c
In addition, they reach out to mature workers and women re-entering the workforce by helping them ease back into the working routine through flexible working arrangements. Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, which is part of JurongHealth, aims to restructure existing jobs to create more opportunities for career progression. It is also implementing a series of trainings for staff skill upgrading.
b a n v p o f o a e f t w h f
Companies which have job openings and South West residents who are looking for jobs closer to home can contact WDA at 6883 5885 or visit their feedback portal (www.wda.gov.sg) for job assistance.
a t
3/7/15 9:30 am
B R I D G E
DISCOVERY
17
Awaken the Dragon MAY/JUNE 2015
Once a heavy industrial nerve centre of Singapore, Jurong has gradually taken on a softer, family-friendly appeal, just like a historic kiln that is nestled in the area.
F
ive years ago, when entrepreneur Darren Lum and his wife Danica first chanced upon Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle, he was so impressed by the massive collection of ceramic ware that he purchased seven vases and flower pots at one go. Since then, the Jurong East resident has visited the kiln several times a year, even bringing foreign friends and his three children, one daughter and two sons aged 11, nine and seven along. “The kiln is such a unique attraction and site for family bonding. There are so many possibilities for education and outreach,” said Mr Lum, 43. Located within CleanTech Park, just a stone’s throw away from Nanyang Technological University’s Jalan Bahar entrance, Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle is one of Singapore’s oldest dragon kiln - the other being the Jalan Bahar Clay Studios. Established since 1965, the kiln has evolved from manufacturing pottery and latex ware during the 1960s to 1980s to managing the import and export of ceramics from Asia. The kiln is now used only four times a year, for hobby and recreational purposes rather than commercial production. Since 2000, it has branched into education and outreach. The kiln now sees close to 120 visitors and workshop participants daily, and organises weekend classes for families at an average of $28 for children and $50 for adults. In each two-hour session, families get to learn basic techniques of pottery art, which includes building, hand throwing, coiling, firing and colouring. “Participants, young and old, sometimes across three generations, play
Bridge_MayJune.indd 17
Mr Darren Lum and his three children proudly display their ceramic artworks at home which they had done together at the Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle.
different roles in the process. The older ones can help in kneading and rolling as they share their own stories and memories, while the younger ones can pitch in for more detailed work like the colouring,” said kiln owner Tan Teck Yoke (right), 59. Thow Kwang’s biggest community project for the year, in celebration of both its 50th anniversary and Singapore’s 50th birthday, is working with various public and private organisations such as the People’s Association and Urban Sketchers to create clay marbles (or goli) of varying sizes. The golis will be placed in Jurong Eco-Garden as public sculptures from 12 September. The kiln is a family
business founded by Mr Tan’s father and its 12 employees who are mostly family members. The family affair at the kiln will continue as Mr Tan plans to hand the kiln over to his niece, a 23-year-old Infocomm polytechnic graduate, who, according to him, “demonstrated great interest in the art form since she was 17”. “As Singapore progressed from third world to first, the kiln has also evolved along with changing times. Back then, we were focused on fulfilling material needs. Now we are concentrating on promoting an appreciation for art,” said Mr Tan. “The kiln is a part of our cultural heritage and memory.”
THOW KWANG POTTERY JUNGLE: 85 Lorong Tawas Singapore 639823 Open from 9 am to 5 pm daily Tel: 6268 6121 Email: pottery@thowkwang.com.sg Website: https://potteryjungle.wordpress.com Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ tkpotteryjungle
3/7/15 9:30 am
B R I D G E
18
MAKAN
Food oasis in Ta
MAY/JUNE 2015
With about 200 stalls, the Taman Jurong Market & Food Centre provides yummy food in big portions to not only residents, but workers in the Jurong area as well
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r Piyong Chen Wah has been a grassroots volunteer at Taman Jurong since 1995 after he gave up his tailor shop due to high rentals at the former World Trade Centre (now HarbourFront Centre). He had picked up the trade from the age of 10 from his father, now 100 years old, who used to run Willy Tailor as well as a small departmental store in Taman Jurong until he was 90. A familiar face in the neighbourhood, Mr Piyong is also a regular at the Taman Jurong Market & Food Centre in Yung Sheng Road, a 10-minute slow walk from his flat, often packing lunches such as chicken rice back home for his wife. “Unless the children and the grandkids come along, we tend to tarbao (Mandarin for take-away) as there are only two of us,” said Mr Piyong. He likes to patronise the stalls run by elderly couples or second generation stallholders whom he has seen grow up over the years. “I often have to tell them to give me smaller portions. That is because I used to buy packed lunches for my brother who is a contractor, and the stallholders here are very generous. They would say, ‘Those hard working workers should not go hungry. Must eat more!’” The grandfather of two also spends Sunday mornings tucking into his favourite mee siam – ‘not too spicy, just the right balance of sweet and sour’ – with his fellow birdwatching and kopi kakis at the hawker centre. “We would make sure to chope (means reserve) the orders early. Also where else can you have kopi for 60 cents? It used to be 50 cents until last year, but the poor chap has to raise it so that his competitors don’t look so glum,” he said with a hearty laugh. Here are some of the stalls in the hawker centre that Mr Piyong highly recommends:
Sikkander’s Biryani ϖϖϖϖAddress: #02 - 100 Open: 5 am to 8 pm Closed: Two days every three months for the cleaning of the food centre Cost: Nasi biryani and ayam penyet $3.50 upwards Roti prata $0.80 upwards Like Mr Piyong, Madam Fatimah Beham Sikkander, 42, also followed her father’s footsteps from the age of 10 when she would help out after school at his stall at the canteen in the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). The stall used to serve Indian rojak, nasi biryani and breakfast staples such as roti prata and putu mayam. “I was known for my mee goreng among the NTU students and they would always ask for Fatimah’s mee goreng. But now I don’t sell it because my neighbouring stall sells it and it’s too tiring for my arms… I’m no longer that young, you know?” she said with a bright smile, showing off an old blown-up newspaper cutting of her as a teenager serving her signature dish at NTU. It is hard work for Madam Fatimah, who starts the day at 4 am with orders for packed breakfast coming in by 5 am for workers at Jurong Island.
Even after the crowds from lunch have died down, she still cannot rest as she has to prepare for dinner and for the next morning. Part of the appeal of Madam Fatimah’s stall comes from the variety of her curries – chicken, mutton, fish and vegetarian, while the nasi biryani and ayam penyet are signature dishes which use less oil. Portions are generous with lots of rice and a quarter of a chicken. It is also not often that you can get nasi biryani for $3.50! Sikkander’s Biryani has been at the Taman Jurong Market & Food Centre since the centre first opened in 1990, after the NTU outlet closed. Her brother runs the Jubilee Restaurant at Bukit Batok, which is named after the original NTU outlet.
Mr Piyong Chen Wah, 69 Member of the Taman Jurong Zone E Residents’ Committee
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Good Family Hainanese Chicken Rice & Porridge
Address: #03 - 154 Open: 10 am to 7:30 pm Closed: Every other Tuesday Cost: $2.50 upwards
Like Sikkander’s Biryani, the stall is also one of the original stalls at the food centre after having relocated from the old Yung Sheng Food Centre, also known as ങ လკ (Mandarin for 60 stalls). Back then, the neighbourhood’s three markets were consolidated into the Taman Jurong Market & Food Centre with more than 200 stalls. The stall thrived in the 1990s when daily takings were five times higher compared with today, recalled Mr Ng Boon Tue, 66, who runs the stall with his wife, Madam Woon Kai Choy, 62. “That was when we would be swarmed with orders from nearby factories, some asking for more than 100 packs a day. There used to be six of us. One of us would just oon. be doing the packing,” said Madam Woon. e the “Things have slowed down a lot since factories shifted overseas.” n supply sup ppl ply y The couple used to run a chicken
e business at Lim Chu Kang until most of the poultry farms in Singapore were resettled and moved to the Neo Tiew area in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They worked at several coffee shops before learning the art of making traditional Hainanese chicken rice from a stall holder. “He had always been late with payments when we were his supplier and so he returned us the favour (by teaching us his recipe) after none of his children and relatives wanted to carry on,” recalled Mr Ng. The stall is best known for its succulent Hainanese Hain Ha inan a ese e white w chicken and chili sauce, though it it also sells sel ells roast ro pork and char
Xiang Wei Kway Teow Mee
Address: #02 - 102 Open: 10 am to 11 pm Closed: Every Tuesday Cost: $2.50 upwards
Xiang Wei Kway Teow Mee is another stall which was relocated from the three old markets, and is known for its “cheap and good” food. It sells only one dish though – fried kway teow with the usual ingredients: Chinese sausages, cockles, egg, bean sprouts and vegetables. “Unlike what you see at other places, I see no need to sell other food like fried Hokkien mee or fried carrot cake once when you have something good,” said Madam Lim Siew Coon, 51, who was a Seamstress working from home until she was 32 and decided she wanted to be a Hawker after the children had grown up. Bestowed the award of one of the Top 10 char kway teow outlets by the City Gourmet Hunt in 2008, Madam Lim shrugged when asked about the secret to her dish. Responding in Mandarin, she said: “All you need is to put your heart into it.” She sees no need to raise prices as long as residents continue to patronise her stall, and would heap bigger helping for packets for workers. Madam Lim also does not save on wrapping, often using two pieces of paper to pack a meal. “After all, they need to transport the packets, right?”
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siew, which are roasted daily by Mr N while hil Madam M d W th sauces. Ng Woon prepares the “We prepare the sauce from fresh ingredients and unlike others, we use lime instead of vinegar for the chili,” said Madam Woon. “Our children have often asked us to retire, but we feel that we owe it to our regular customers,” said Madam Woon, who has five children and six grandchildren living with them in their Pasir Panjang home. However, the couple has learned to take it easier these days, closing their stall as early as 7.30 pm instead of working till 10 pm like before.
Manpuku Teppanyaki Ma M
Address: #03 - 159 Open: 11 am to 9 pm Closed: Every Tuesday Cost: $3.50 to $7.00
Manpuku Teppanyaki i a newcomer to the food is c centre, having opened only iin mid-December last year. But it is helmed by a Chef who used to work in restaurants and hotels. Mr Jason Ng, 43, picked up his culinary skills from a Japanese Chef at the age of 16. At that time, he helped out an uncle, who was a Cook at a dormitory in Tuas which housed Japanese workers. After his National Service, he went on to work at various hotels and restaurants in Singapore and also went to work in Japanese restaurants in Holland and Belgium for five years. “I don’t have the capital now to start a restaurant, so I thought maybe this will be the warm-up for several more such stalls in the future,” he added. “I decided that we will offer only teppanyaki (cooked on a hot plate), unlike what you see at food courts that sell Japanese food,” he added. nge from The dishes range ith $3.50 to $7.00 with s offerings such as salmon and beef also with rice, which also to comes with potato ad and seaweed salad for a complete meal.
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SNAPSHOTS in the district
MAY/JUNE 2015
Ms Foo Mee Har (Ayer Rajah)
Madam Halimah Yacob (Bukit Batok East)
Mr Arthur Fong (Clementi)
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Ayer Rajah Grassroots Adviser Foo Mee Har joined more than 200 residents at the Ayer Rajah Zone 1 Residents’ Committee (RC) 33rd Anniversary Celebration held on 1 May. The event at Block 410 Pandan Gardens was specially dedicated to volunteers who have contributed to the community, and residents came together for a fun night of performances and games.
More than 200 residents of Signature Park Condo had the opportunity to interact with Adviser to Jurong GRC Grassroots Organisations and Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob at the Easter Day Celebration cum Children’s Birthday Party. Held on 5 April, the event line-up included Easter egg painting and puppet shows. There was also a mass birthday celebration for children born in April, May and June.
Adviser to Clementi Grassroots Organisations Arthur Fong joined residents to welcome the Chingay Floats into the heartlands on 21 March. Armed with light sticks, residents got a close-up look at the majestic floats. There were also street performances, free snacks and fun game booths to keep the residents entertained throughout the night event. Clementi’s SG50 projects were also launched on that night.
Ch Gr Mi th to by Sp an
Mr Lawrence Wong (Boon Lay)
Ms Low Yen Ling (Bukit Gombak)
Dr Amy Khor (Hong Kah North)
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Adviser to Boon Lay Grassroots Organisations Lawrence Wong, who is also Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and the Second Minister for Communications and Information, joined some 500 residents at Boon Lay Raja Restaurant on 8 March to celebrate International Women’s Day. Previous Boon Lay CC Women Executive Committee (WEC) chairman were invited to this year’s event as a gesture of appreciation.
It’s cake-cutting time! Adviser to Bukit Gombak Grassroots Organisations Low Yen Ling, who is also the Mayor of South West District and the Parliamentary Secretary for both the Cultural, Community and Youth as well as the Social and Family Development ministries, joined 200 plus students from PAP Community Foundation (PCF) centres in Bukit Gombak for a mass birthday celebration. Held on 2 April, the young ones enjoyed the sing-a-long sessions during this quarterly event.
There was a spread of sumptuous ethnic delicacies at the Hong Kah North Active Women’s Day cum Masterchef Challenge on 8 March. Adviser to Hong Kah North Grassroots Organisations Amy Khor, who is also Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower, joined more than 450 residents at the event held in conjunction with International Women’s Day and SG50. Other activities during the morning event at Gek Poh Ville CC included Zumba and popular K-pop dance.
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Mr David Ong BBM (Bukit Batok)
Mr Gan Kim Yong (Chua Chu Kang)
Mr Ang Wei Neng (Jurong Central)
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Adviser to Jurong GRC Grassroots Organisations David Ong BBM, smiled for the cameras when he dropped by Block 154 Bukit Batok Street 11 on 1 March to wish shop tenants and residents a happy Year of the Goat. There was a festive mood in the air during the morning Chinese New Year Market Visit at Zone 5 Residents’ Committee (RC), which attracted a 300-strong crowd.
On 23 May, Adviser to Chua Chu Kang Grassroots Organisations and Health Minister Gan Kim Yong flagged off the Chua Chu Kang Mozzie Wipeout, an event coorganised by Chua Chu Kang Grassroots Organisations and the National Environment Agency (NEA). Grassroots leaders, together with the students and teachers from the schools in Chua Chu Kang Division, visited more than 16,000 household to give out insect repellent and flyerson Dengue prevention.
Adviser to Jurong GRC Grassroots Organisations Ang Wei Neng joined about 2,000 residents on 7 March at Jurong Green CC to cheer the 16 groups competing for the championship title at this year’s Estetika Penta Dikir. The Dikir Barat competition organised by the Jurong Green CC Malay Activity Executive Committee (MAEC) was part of Jurong Central’s SG50 celebrations.
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SNAPSHOTS in the district
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23 MAY/JUNE 2015
Mr Desmond Lee (Jurong Spring)
Mr Cedric Foo (Pioneer)
Mr S Iswaran (West Coast)
Cheers to community bonding! Adviser to Jurong GRC Grassroots Organisations Desmond Lee, who is also Minister of State for National Development, joined more than 800 residents at the Jurong Spring Reunion Dinner to soak in the festivities on 7 March. The event, attended by families and friends of all ages, was held at Jurong Spring CC where guests were pampered with good food and entertaining performances.
More than 600 residents, parents and students from Jurong West Primary School came together for the SG50 Lunar New Year Celebration on 7 February. Held at Jurong West Primary School, the morning event was graced by Adviser to Pioneer Grassroots Organisations Cedric Foo. Programme highlights included a dragon dance, student performances and distribution of Mandarin oranges.
Adviser to West Coast Grassroots Organisations S Iswaran, Minister in Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs as well as Trade and Industry, joined some 700 residents on 7 March for the Dis.Is.Able Sports Carnival. Held at West Coast Plaza, the event celebrates para-athletes’ commitment and dedication to sports, and gears residents up to cheer them on at the 8th ASEAN Para Games in December.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad (Keat Hong)
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam (Taman Jurong)
Mr Alex Yam (Yew Tee)
To usher in the Year of the Goat, Adviser to Keat Hong Grassroots Organisations Zaqy Mohamad distributed Mandarin oranges to over 600 retail shop owners and residents at Block 302 Choa Chu Kang Loop and Chua Chu Kang Bus Interchange on 28 February. During this annual distribution, residents were happy to receive this symbol of abundance and good luck.
Adviser to Jurong GRC Grassroots Organisations Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Finance, presented book prizes to about 200 students to commend them for their good work in various fields such as leadership and community service. The presentation ceremony on 14 March was also attended by the students’ parents, who were invited to share this proud moment with their children.
At the Chua Chu Kang GRC Active Ageing Carnival, Adviser to Yew Tee Grassroots Organisations Alex Yam whipped out his mobile phone to snap a wefie with Guest-of-Honour, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, and senior residents. Held on 15 March at the hardcourt at Yew Tee MRT Station, more than 3,000 residents gathered to take a trip back in time with games, snacks and songs from the 1970s.
Mr Alvin Yeo (Nanyang)
Mr Lim Hng Kiang (Telok Blangah)
Ms Grace Fu (Yuhua)
Ready, get set, chiong ah! Some 200 young residents participated in ChiongSG, an event organised by the Nanyang CC Youth Executive Committee (YEC) to race around Singapore. Adviser to Nanyang Grassroots Organisations Alvin Yeo joined in the fun and took part in some of the adrenaline-pumping activities. Health Minister Gan Kim Yong was the Guest-of-Honour at this sports race.
Adviser to Telok Blangah Grassroots Organisations and Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang joined residents for a wefie at Heartland@Chingay 2015 on 21 March. In conjunction with the appearance of the Chingay Floats along Telok Blangah Street 32, a Nostalgia Fun Fair Carnival was organised for more than 3,000 residents to enjoy an evening of fun and games. Highlights of the event included fireworks and the launch of the Telok Blangah @ SG50 Mosaic Art.
On 26 April, Adviser to Yuhua Grassroots Organisations Grace Fu, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Office as well as Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources as well as for Foreign Affairs, explained the functions of the Medishield Life policy to residents at Block 318 Jurong East 31. The dialogue session was held in a coffee shop over breakfast after the Pickleball and Qigong demonstrations which was attended by 100 residents.
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MAY/JUNE 2015
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