Stay right, stay healthy, live smart

A Q U A R T E R LY P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E P E O P L E ' S A C T I O N P A R T Y

September 2017

START RIGHT, STAY HEALTHY, LIVE SMART

YP members share best practices

MPs Saktiandi bin Supaat and Melvin Yong: How they are uplifting their residents’ lives

pg24

pg27 & 28

Josephine Teo talks about her niche at work and the challenges ahead pg16

INSIDE: Branches to do more for PAP.SG

06

COVER STORY

PUBLICITY AND PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Lawrence Wong (Chairman) Desmond Lee Chee Hong Tat Seah Kian Peng Lim Wee Kiak Baey Yam Keng Zaqy Mohamad Janil Puthucheary Chiang Heng Liang Diana Pang Hamidah Aidillah Benjamin Tay Teo Lin Lee Adrian Liew Editor Chee Li Foong Editorial and Design Focus Publishing Limited (Tel: 6319-2392) Printer KHL Printing Co. Pte Ltd Photos Singapore Press Holdings, istockphoto.com

MCI (P) 180/03/2017 Petir is published by the People’s Action Party Central Executive Committee. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior consent of the publisher. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the PAP or the Government. All rights reserved.

PAP Headquarters Block 57B, New Upper Changi Road, #01-1402, PCF Building, Singapore 463057 Telephone: 6244-4600 Telefax: 6243-0114 Internet: www.pap.org.sg Please send feedback, suggestions and comments to paphq@pap.org.sg.

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September 2017

Get a head start early, stay healthy, be wired A stronger pre-school sector, battling diabetes and a better connected Singapore were three issues raised by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at this year’s National Day Rally. Č? Ž•‘ ‹Â? Š‹Â?‡•‡ǥ ƒŽƒ› ƒÂ?† ƒÂ?‹Ž

16

CONVERSATION

Seeding new approaches ”• ‘•‡’Š‹Â?‡ ‡‘ǥ ‹Â?‹•–‡” ‹Â? –Š‡ ”‹Â?‡ ‹Â?‹•–‡”ǯ• Ƽ…‡ ƒÂ?† ‡…‘Â?† ‹Â?‹•–‡” ˆ‘” ƒÂ?’‘™‡” ƒÂ?† ‘Â?‡ ĆĄÂƒÂ‹Â”Â•ÇĄ …ŠƒŽŽ‡Â?‰‡• Š‡” –‡ƒÂ? –‘ –ƒ…Â?Ž‡ ‹••—‡• ˆ”‘Â? †‹ƥ‡”‡Â?– ’‡”•’‡…–‹˜‡•Ǥ

20

SPECIAL

19

GROUNDWORK PAP.SG

22

Women's Wing

Sustained drive for women’s causes Good progress has been made by Women’s Wing to speak up for Singapore women.

24

Young PAP

7HDPZRUN ĆŞRZHUV ZDNHV DQG RWKHU EHVW SUDFWLFHV YP members share best practices to stay close to the ground.

25

Young PAP

Celebrating Father’s Day Fathers play an important role in families. YP, together with MPs, feted them on Father’s Day.

26

PAP Policy Forum

SkillsFuture makes inroads Find out your training “compass� and upgrade skills through SkillsFuture.

27

Backbencher’s Bite

Bridging across generations ƒÂ?–‹ƒÂ?†‹ „‹Â? —’ƒƒ– Č‹ ‘ƒ ƒ›‘Š ÂƒÂ•Â–ÇŚ ‘˜‡Â?ÂƒČŒ ƒ†˜‘…ƒ–‡• •›Â?‡”‰‹‡• „‡–™‡‡Â? ‰‡Â?‡”ƒ–‹‘Â?• –‘ Â?‡‡’ ˆƒÂ?‹Ž› ˜ƒŽ—‡• ƒŽ‹˜‡Ǥ

28

Backbencher’s Bite

The people connector Bringing people together to do good for the community is ‡Ž˜‹Â? ‘Â?‰ǯ• Â?‹••‹‘Â? ˆ‘” Š‹• ƒÂ?Œ‘Â?‰ ƒ‰ƒ” Ǥ

Work in progress to serve you better Š‡ ”ƒ‹Ž Â?‡–™‘”Â? Šƒ• „‡…‘Â?‡ Â?‘”‡ Â”Â‡ÂŽÂ‹ÂƒÂ„ÂŽÂ‡ÇĄ ‡˜‡Â? ĥ Â?‘”‡ —’‰”ƒ†‹Â?‰ …‘Â?–‹Â?—‡• –‘ ˆ—”–Š‡” ‹Â?’”‘˜‡ ‹–Ǥ

Branches to take ownership of PAP.SG programmes Branches will do more to shape programmes to engage the seniors.

SEPTEMBER 2017

Contents 06

16

National Day Rally 2017

25

26 27

28 September 2017

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COVER STORY

National Day Rally 2017

“Why are we so preoccupied with the future?

Whom are we doing this for?

Not just for ourselves, but for our children and future generations.�

Get a head start early, stay healthy, be wired While the immediate priorities of jobs and economic growth remain important, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong used this year’s National Day Rally to discuss three pressing longer-term issues – build up the pre-school sector, tackle the invisible disease that is diabetes, and the need to become a Smart Nation – that he described as important to Singapore’s success and well-being.

“It is a heavy investment but worthwhile and necessary. But all this will be for nought unless young couples do your part. Please have more babies!�

- PM Lee urging young couples to have children, even as the government commits more money into the pre-school sector.

Life’s foundation

‘‹Â?‰ –‘ ’”‡nj•…Š‘‘Ž ™‹ŽŽ ‰‹˜‡ ƒŽŽ …Š‹Ž†”‡Â? ‹Â?

Singapore a good start and the best chance to •—……‡‡† ‹Â? ÂŽÂ‹ÂˆÂ‡ÇĄ •ƒ‹† ” ‡‡ ĥ Š‡ —Â?˜‡‹Ž‡† ƒ •Ž‡™ ‘ˆ ‹Â?‹–‹ƒ–‹˜‡• –‘ „‡‡ˆ —’ –Š‡ •‡…–‘” ‹Â? –Š‡ …‘Â?‹Â?‰ years. “In the past, we started at Primary 1, when the …Š‹Ž† ‹• •‡˜‡Â?ÇĄ „—– Â?‘™ ™‡ Â?Â?‘™ ™‡ Šƒ˜‡ –‘ „‡‰‹Â? Â?—…Š ‡ƒ”Ž‹‡”Ǥ ‘– –‘ ‰‹˜‡ …Š‹Ž†”‡Â? ƒ Š‡ƒ† •–ƒ”– in Primary 1, but to build sound foundations for –Š‡Â? ˆ‘” Ž‹ˆ‡Ǥ – ƒÂ? ‡ƒ”Ž› ÂƒÂ‰Â‡ÇĄ –Š‡”‡ ƒ”‡ •’‡…‹Ƥ… ™‹Â?†‘™• ‹Â? ƒ …Š‹Ž†ǯ• †‡˜‡Ž‘’Â?‡Â?–Ǥ ‘— Â?—•– catch that window or you’ll miss it,â€? he said.

Noting the shortage of pre-school places for …Š‹Ž†”‡Â? ˆ‘—” ›‡ƒ”• ƒÂ?† „‡Ž‘™ǥ –Š‡ ‰‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?– ™‹ŽŽ …”‡ƒ–‡ ƒÂ?‘–Š‡” Í ÍœÇĄÍœÍœÍœ ’Žƒ…‡• ‹Â? –Š‡ Â?‡š– Ć¤Â˜Â‡ years, bringing the total to about 200,000 which ™‹ŽŽ „‡ ƒŽÂ?‘•– †‘—„Ž‡ ™Šƒ– ™ƒ• ƒ˜ƒ‹Žƒ„Ž‡Ǥ ‘” Â?‹Â?†‡”‰ƒ”–‡Â?•ǥ –Š‡ ˆ‘…—• ™‹ŽŽ „‡ –‘ ‹Â?’”‘˜‡ –Š‡ “—ƒŽ‹–› ƒÂ?† ”ƒ‹•‡ –Š‡ ‘˜‡”ƒŽŽ ‡†—…ƒ–‹‘Â?

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September 2017

standards.

As such, the Ministry of Education – which already has 15 of its own kindergartens – will open 35 more by 2023. And by 2019, a new …‡Â?–”ƒŽ‹•‡† ƒ–‹‘Â?ƒŽ Â?•–‹–—–‡ ‘ˆ ƒ”Ž› Š‹Ž†Š‘‘† ‡˜‡Ž‘’Â?‡Â?– ™‹ŽŽ „‡ •‡– —’Ǥ ” ‡‡ •ƒ‹† –Šƒ– ĥ Â?‘”‡ ’‡‘’Ž‡ ƒ”‡ ƒ™ƒ”‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ ‰‘‘† Œ‘„ ’”‘•’‡…–• ƒÂ?† •–”‘Â?‰ ’”‘ˆ‡••‹‘Â?ƒŽ †‡˜‡Ž‘’Â?‡Â?–ǥ –Š‡› ™‹ŽŽ „‡ attracted to a career in the pre-school sector.

Mr Lee also pledged greater support for children from low-income families. The KidSTART programme, which helps to train parents from the time a mother is pregnant, will likely be scaled up based on the early promising feedback. ÂŽÂŽ ‹Â?ÇĄ –Š‡ ‰‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?– ‹• ƒŽ”‡ƒ†› •’‡Â?†‹Â?‰ $840 million this year on pre-schools, a commitment which Mr Lee said will more than †‘—„Ž‡ –‘ ÍŠÍ?Ǥͣ „‹ŽŽ‹‘Â? „› ͜͞͞͞Ǥ Dz – ‹• ƒ Š‡ƒ˜› ‹Â?˜‡•–Â?‡Â?–ǥ „—– ™‘”–Š™Š‹Ž‡ ƒÂ?† Â?Â‡Â…Â‡Â•Â•ÂƒÂ”Â›ÇĄÇł Š‡ said.

Battling diabetes ‹Â?‰ƒ’‘”‡ƒÂ?• ‰‡Â?‡”ƒŽŽ› –Š‹Â?Â? ‘ˆ –Š‡Â?•‡Ž˜‡• ĥ „‡‹Â?‰ ˆƒ‹”Ž› Š‡ƒŽ–Š› ‰‹˜‡Â? –Šƒ– Â?‘”‡ ’‡‘’Ž‡ ƒ”‡ Ž‹˜‹Â?‰ Ž‘Â?‰‡”ǥ „—– ” ‡‡ stressed that what matters more should be the quality of one’s life, Â?‘– Š‘™ Â?ƒÂ?› ›‡ƒ”• Š‡ ‘” •Š‡ Ž‹˜‡• —’ –‘Ǥ Playing the role of chief doctor for the day, he said the life

expectancy of Singaporeans now stands at 82 – among the longest ‹Â? –Š‡ ™‘”Ž† Č‚ ƒÂ?† –Š‡› ‡š’‡”‹‡Â?…‡ ƒÂ? ƒ˜‡”ƒ‰‡ ‘ˆ ‡‹‰Š– ›‡ƒ”• ‘ˆ ‹ŽŽ health in their old age.

Mr Lee urged Singaporeans to take care of their health and work –‘‰‡–Š‡” –‘ …‘Â?„ƒ– –Š‡ Dz‹Â?˜‹•‹„Ž‡ Â†Â‹Â•Â‡ÂƒÂ•Â‡Çł ‘ˆ Â†Â‹ÂƒÂ„Â‡Â–Â‡Â•ÇĄ ™Š‹…Š Š‡ …‹–‡† ĥ ƒ „‹‰ ”‡ƒ•‘Â? ˆ‘” –Š‡ …ƒ—•‡ ‘ˆ ‹ŽŽ Š‡ƒŽ–ŠǤ ‘Â?’ƒ”‡† –‘ ‘–Š‡” †‡˜‡Ž‘’‡† …‘—Â?–”‹‡•ǥ ‹Â?‰ƒ’‘”‡ ‹• •‡…‘Â?† ‘Â?Ž› –‘ –Š‡ Â?‹–‡† –ƒ–‡• ‹Â? –‡”Â?• ‘ˆ ‹–• ’”‡˜ƒŽ‡Â?…‡ǥ ™‹–Š ‘Â?‡ ‹Â? Â?‹Â?‡ ‹Â?‰ƒ’‘”‡ƒÂ?• •ƒ††Ž‡† with diabetes. The rate is much higher as one ages, with three in ten ’‡‘’Ž‡ ™Š‘ ƒ”‡ Í˘Íœ ›‡ƒ”• ‘” ‘Ž†‡” •—ƥ‡”‹Â?‰ ˆ”‘Â? ‹–Ǥ Mr Lee went one step further to break it down by race – 2.5 in 10 Š‹Â?‡•‡ Šƒ˜‡ Â†Â‹ÂƒÂ„Â‡Â–Â‡Â•Ç˘ ƒÂ?‘Â?‰ –Š‡ ÂƒÂŽÂƒÂ›Â•ÇĄ ‹– ‹• Ć¤Â˜Â‡ ‹Â? Í?ÍœÇĄ ƒÂ?† ˆ‘” –Š‡ Indians, it is 6 in 10. Dz Š‹• ‹• ƒ ˜‡”› •‡”‹‘—• ’”‘„Ž‡Â?ÇĄ ƒÂ?† ‡•’‡…‹ƒŽŽ› ˆ‘” –Š‡ ƒŽƒ›• and Indians, it’s actually a health crisis. It’s not an exaggeration,â€? he warned. ‡ ‘ƥ‡”‡† •‘Â?‡ •—‰‰‡•–‹‘Â?• ˆ‘” …‹–‹œ‡Â?• –‘ –ƒÂ?‡ „‡––‡” …ƒ”‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡Â?•‡Ž˜‡• Č‚ ‰‘ ˆ‘” ”‡‰—Žƒ” Â?‡†‹…ƒŽ …Š‡…Â?nj—’•ǥ ‡š‡”…‹•‡ Â?‘”‡ǥ ‡ƒ– less and – healthily, and cut down on consumption of sugary soft drinks. Â? –Š‡ Žƒ––‡” ’‘‹Â?–ǥ –Š‡ ‰‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?– Šƒ• ƒŽ”‡ƒ†› ‰‘– •‘ˆ– †”‹Â?Â?• producers to agree to reduce the sugar in all their drinks sold in ‹Â?‰ƒ’‘”‡Ǥ Dz Œ—•– †‡•…”‹„‡† ˆ‘—” •‹Â?’Ž‡ –Š‹Â?‰• ‡ƒ…Š ‘Â?‡ ‘ˆ —• …ƒÂ? †‘Ǥ – ”‡“—‹”‡• …‘Â?Â?‹–Â?‡Â?–ǥ ƒ†Œ—•–Â?‡Â?– –‘ ‘—” ÂŠÂƒÂ„Â‹Â–Â•ÇĄ Ž‹ˆ‡•–›Ž‡• ƒÂ?† †‹‡–Ǥ —– –Š‡ Â’ÂƒÂ›Â‘ĆĄ ‹• Žƒ”‰‡ ƒÂ?† ‹– …ƒÂ? „‡ †‘Â?‡ǥdz Š‡ •ƒ‹†Ǥ

“To stay in the safe zone, I weigh myself every day, and I adjust my food intake. I exercise daily. I watch what I eat and drink — wholemeal bread instead of white bread, Teh O Kosong instead of Teh. Teh Gah Dai is completely out of the question. But if the dessert is chendol, it cannot be helped; I will just take a little bit. It takes effort and discipline but it can be done.

So I hope you will join me.

Start today, so that we can live healthily and live well.�

- PM Lee on his regime to a healthier lifestyle.

September 2017

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COVER STORY

A smarter Singapore for all

When it comes to being a Smart Nation, some people think it is about owning multiple mobile ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย วฆย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦคย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฃ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย people are digitally literate, and schools are teaching students basic computing and robotics.

While the right ingredients are there, Mr Lee spoke of how Singapore still lags behind other ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦกย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย and technicians. With the worldwide shortage of such skills, he stressed the urgent need to build ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦกย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย up and upgrade their skills. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก and making better use of integrated data to boost public safety and security. วฒ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย up to our own expectations of what we ought to be and can be,โ he said.

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โ Smart Nation is about Singapore taking full advantage of IT. Using IT comprehensively to create new jobs, new business opportunities, to make our economy more productive, to make our lives more convenient. To make this an outstanding city in which to live, work and play.โ - PM Lee on why building a Smart Nation is key to securing Singaporeโ s future.

National Day Rally 2017

2.5

%

ႝཡ໩‫ݛ‬ӑᄁ‫ه‬ᅢ֭ೠվॣ฽ ϷᎡపᎳ㓑ф๔ч喑ᕨ⤳ᱻ᭫哆䄵‫ݝ‬ᄦ᜾ప䪬䔉ࣾᆂᒞ৺䛺๔⮱̶๔ 䄫䷅喟ߍᑧ႓‫ݺ‬᪆㗟Ƞᄦោ㈃ᅬ⫲হក䕍ᮧᚔపȡ

“We expect economic growth of around 2.5 per cent this year, higher than last year.

Wages have been rising, gradually but steadily, and most encouragingly, productivity is improving. Last year, productivity went up by 1 per cent, after several years of almost zero growth. This year, we should do even better. This is important because productivity is the key to our prosperity, and to higher wages.”

- PM Lee on the economy, wages and productivity

ߍᑧ႓‫ݺ‬᪆㗟 λĎǴŭ뻟؈ࡺȝȖŜĂͷԉรੌȀ˓ Ɠǡ͵‫آ‬뺯ߢɽȗĸ뻟źˏ‫ˈٿ‬ɩƓǡ͵ ‫آ‬뻟ĈՎǘźŴĶĈċƑळԾĀő҃ž뻟̹ ŴĶȝĎĈƑČĀƯĜȿīŪβ뺯 ϝǡ뻟ǕŞħ˗ξӍŘĪħˏ‫ٿ‬ũѳĀ Ɠǡ͵‫آ‬Ɠ૘ࣂăˆ̂뺯Ȃˤ뻟؈ࡺćλĎ ŭ뻟ȝLjȀũѩ оċƓ૘뻟źƓ૘ɽ̾ LjȀė оċ뺯 ͵ ‫ ˌ آ‬ϝ ǡ Ǣ ǁ ũ ѩ ą Ǩ ਿ ࿉ Խ 뻟 ŭŘǡ뻟ȝԨʌũѩ Ǩਿ࿉Խ뺯ˤ ʌ뻟āŚĜć ŭŘǡѳӐĥĀŚӐਿ ɳা‫آ͵آ‬ƓԻ뻟‫מ‬ġা‫ۋ‬ਿ͵͵̅뺯ɽȗ ȪФ뻟ΏŏŢƓǡ͵‫آ‬ʕǟĀ‫ݙ‬ČǡբŠş ֐ಧĩĈɘĂϳĀΞԺ뻟ĜĈƑĠĉ˞ՊȮ ƂƓǡ͵‫آ‬Āʕǟ뺯 ϝǡ뻟؈ࡺƲŭΫѺ ဈ оʻćƓ ǡ͵‫آ‬뺯ĕċ̾૘٩ʹć ŭੀLj뻟У ė ဈʻ뺯ɽȗȪФ뻟ĕĄĂċq጖ęȚ ĄҲī뻟Ʀ‫ؼ‬ĄκđĀΫѺr뺯

ᄦោ㈃ᅬ⫲ ĥȀะĉĀːߴ೙ЄĄ ξ뻟ħƽșʆ ĉˍŖǥ೙ĀŚŝƥĂ뺯ҤϯƧˤ뻟Śĉ ć༾ɍƳŭŶ뻟˂ːߴī֧ɩ ŭĀԇͽ‫؃‬ ࡯뺯 ɽȗ‫ت‬๒ĥȀะĉϗԭܷ̆ČĢŹĀǻ Ɇ뻟դǜ‫ר‬ƺŢ߂܎ಜԇĕċَ֢එԇ෼ǻ ĀĂęʻႌ뺯Ʋ‫ص‬ċĥȀะĉġ뻟ďĈĂĉ ਮĈ܎ಜԇ뺯Ώŏŭ੒Ljǥ뻟ŚĉਮĘ܎ಜ ԇĀǴ߁ģĜĈǨ͎Ƭ뺯ć ξͱŘĘĀ

ŚĉȆġ뻟Ʋ ĉďĈƁĉਮĈ܎ಜԇ뺯 ɽȗɘĂϳ‫܍‬ƞࢮժœuu ξͱŘĘ ĀϾࢮ뻟 ĉȆġĈƪċͤĉਮ܎ಜԇ뻮 ǜĂŭ੒‫ڝ‬Ā҈Ďࢮ뻟 ĉġĈͅĉਮ܎ ಜԇ뻮ߪࢮ뻟 ĉȆġ‫ק‬Ĉԣĉਮ܎ಜԇ뺯 ŴГȶķǥŞĸ뻭qĕĄĂċπ˩ߙȶ Āɝʚ뻟ਯȺŢ҈ĎࢮŠߪࢮŚĉƦҶƑĄ Ƨˤ뻟dzĕċ̗֜ħԾ֗߭Ư뻟Ăžģăහ ˚뺯r ɽȗӚ‫ڱ‬Śĉˆ˽ˈɩૼ˩Ɇন뺮Ġ̬ ƛ뺮ߞ̑ߺθ뻟˄˞ՊևԾ֗Āθˀ뻟ߒ܎ ߺնģˆ˽ҤĻĩɺϬ뻟ႺਇĉĶƑČŞ̆ ܷĢŹĀǻɆԾ֗뺯 ក䕍ᮧᚔప ĥȀะԵ҄ǰƍғ஑ŚШբĀʳɫ뺯Ҥ ϯƧˤ뻟ɽȗ˂ϱŜāŚćǴƶǚҔŶȺŴ Ν̤뻟ૼƧćū˩ιͲġ̹ůǗŔ‫˄͗ޚ‬ă ѿ‫ޏ‬Ӎ뺯 đȖƛғ஑ŚĀş֐뻟āŚď̀đƑĠ ʕԙ̅뺮ԙۖѳʹ̅뺮֪̾œୖ̅Š‫̅ڐ‬뺯 ύǘƽЎͨŚǜƟŢĕȏ‫׷ڐ‬ĉ˴̂Ʒܼ ఒ뻟āŚ௬О̀đӚӐ͒ǘĢŹĀĉƷ෕뺯 ħąা‫ۋ‬ƑĠĉƷ뻟؈ࡺĜ͎ࣂʕԙƓ‫˺ؘ‬ Ɠ̇Š৔Վʹۗ뺯ˤʌ뻟‫ڐ‬ĩՇǡԙŠʗˡ ĉՂʽˡʹۗģĜъՎĉĶӚӐŠ͎΋‫ڐ‬ ĩ뺯 ɽȗģϱŜ뻟āĶ̀đȖDŽƑĠęęŇ ŇĀғ஑Śʹۗ뻟̞ಗϙůƋƯˆůԙۖж ‫ޚ‬ӕǫ͗뻟ŘӍϙůෞʸ֪̾Ȁ˓Ȕդ̝ȫ ĩƺ뺯 September 2017

9

COVER STORY

Mulakan sekarang, kekal sihat, sentiasa terjalin Perdana Menteri Lee Hsien Loong memanfaatkan Rapat Hari Kebangsaan tahun ini dengan membincangkan tiga perkara jangka panjang – membangunkan sektor prasekolah, menangani penyakit kencing manis dan perlunya menjadi sebuah Negara Bijak – yang beliau sifatkan sebagai penting bagi kejayaan dan kesejahteraan Singapura.

Asas kehidupan Melangkah ke prasekolah akan memberi setiap kanak-kanak di Singapura permulaan yang baik dan peluang terbaik untuk Â?‡”‡Â?ƒ „‡”Œƒ›ƒ †ƒŽƒÂ? Š‹†—’ǥ Â?ƒ–ƒ Â?…‹Â? ‡‡ •‡Â?ƒ•ƒ „‡Ž‹ƒ— membentangkan pelbagai daya usaha untuk mengukuh sektor itu dalam beberapa tahun mendatang.

Maklum akan kekurangan tempat di prasekolah untuk kanak-kanak berusia empat tahun ke bawah, pemerintah akan menambah 40,000 tempat lagi dalam tempoh lima tahun, Â?‡Â?Œƒ†‹Â?ƒÂ? Œ—Â?ŽƒŠÂ?›ƒ Â?‡Â?…ƒ’ƒ‹ ÍžÍœÍœÇĄÍœÍœÍœ Â?‡ŽƒÂ?Ǥ Kementerian Pendidikan – yang telahpun memiliki 15 tadikanya •‡Â?†‹”‹ Č‚ ƒÂ?ƒÂ? Â?‡Â?„—Â?ƒ Í&#x;ÍĄ Žƒ‰‹ Â?‡Â?Œ‡ŽƒÂ?‰ ͜͞͞Í&#x;Ǥ ‡Â?Œ‡ŽƒÂ?‰ ͜͞Í?ÍĽ pula, sebuah pusat Institut Pembangunan Awal Kanak-Kanak Kebangsaan akan dibangunkan. Menurut Encik Lee, apabila lebih ”ƒÂ?ƒ‹ ‘”ƒÂ?‰ •‡†ƒ” ƒÂ?ƒÂ? ŒƒÂ?‰Â?ƒƒÂ? Ž‡„‹Š „ƒ‹Â? „ƒ‰‹ ’‡Â?‡”ŒƒƒÂ? ‹–— dan pembangunan profesional yang mantap, mereka akan tertarik †‡Â?‰ƒÂ? Â?‡”Œƒ›ƒ †ƒŽƒÂ? •‡Â?–‘” ’”ƒ•‡Â?‘ŽƒŠǤ ‡Â?‡”‹Â?–ƒŠ –‡ŽƒŠ’—Â? Â?‡Â?„‡ŽƒÂ?ŒƒÂ?ƒÂ? ÍŠÍ¤Í Íœ Œ—–ƒ Â?‡ ƒ–ƒ• ’”ƒ•‡Â?‘ŽƒŠ –ƒŠ—Â? ‹Â?‹ǥ ›ƒÂ?‰ ƒÂ?ƒÂ? †‹‰ƒÂ?†ƒÂ?ƒÂ? Â?‡’ƒ†ƒ ÍŠÍ?Ǥͣ Œ—–ƒ Â?‡Â?Œ‡ŽƒÂ?‰ ÍžÍœÍžÍžÇĄ ›ƒÂ?‰ †‹•‹ˆƒ–Â?ƒÂ? „‡Ž‹ƒ— •‡„ƒ‰ƒ‹ •ƒ–— Ç˛Â’Â‡ÂŽÂƒÂ„Â—Â”ÂƒÂ? besar tetapi perlu dan pentingâ€?.

Menangani penyakit kencing manis Jangka hayat warga Singapura adalah 82 tahun – antara ŒƒÂ?‰Â?ƒƒÂ? —•‹ƒ –‡”’ƒÂ?ŒƒÂ?‰ †‹ †—Â?‹ƒ Č‚ –‡–ƒ’‹ Â?‡”‡Â?ƒ Â?‡Â?‰ƒŽƒÂ?‹ kehidupan yang kurang selesa kerana penyakit yang dihidapi, secara puratanya selama lapan tahun semasa di usia tua. Ž‡Š ‹–—ǥ ‡‡ Â?‡Â?‰‰‡•ƒ ™ƒ”‰ƒ ‹Â?‰ƒ’—”ƒ ƒ‰ƒ” Â?‡Â?Œƒ‰ƒ Â?‡•‹Šƒ–ƒÂ? Â?‡”‡Â?ƒ †ƒÂ? „‡Â?‡”Œƒ „‡”•ƒÂ?ÂƒÇŚÂ•ÂƒÂ?ƒ †ƒŽƒÂ? Â?‡Â?‡”ƒÂ?‰‹ kencing manis, yang beliau sifatkan sebagai penyebab utama kehidupan yang digelangi penyakit. Satu dari setiap sembilan warga Singapura katanya, mengidapi kencing manis. Kadar ini meningkat menurut usia, dengan tiga dari setiap 10 orang berusia 10

September 2017

60 tahun ke atas mengalaminya.

Encik Lee turut memperincikan perangkaan itu dengan memberikan gambaran mengikut kaum – 2.5 bagi setiap 10 orang ‹Â?ƒ Š‹†ƒ’‹ Â?‡Â?…‹Â?‰ Â?ƒÂ?‹•Ǣ Ž‹Â?ƒ †‹ƒÂ?–ƒ”ƒ Í?Íœ ‘”ƒÂ?‰ Â‡ÂŽÂƒÂ›Â—ÇĄ †ƒÂ? ͢ bagi setiap 10 orang India. “Ini adalah satu masalah yang amat serius, terutamanya untuk orang Melayu dan India, ia sebenarnya satu krisis kesihatan. Ia bukan sesuatu yang dibesar-besarkan,â€? katanya.

Beliau kemudian memberi beberapa saranan untuk rakyat Â?‡Â?Œƒ‰ƒ Â?‡•‹Šƒ–ƒÂ? Â?‡”‡Â?ƒ Č‚ Â?‡Â?ŒƒŽƒÂ?‹ ’‡Â?‡”‹Â?•ƒƒÂ? Â?‡•‹Šƒ–ƒÂ? secara kerap, sering bersenam, kurangkan pemakanan dan makan makanan yang menyihatkan, dan kurangkan meminum air bergula.

Singapura yang lebih bijak untuk semua ‡†ƒÂ?‰ ‹Â?‰ƒ’—”ƒ ’—Â?›ƒ ”ƒÂ?—ƒÂ? ›ƒÂ?‰ „‡–—Ž —Â?–—Â? Â?‡Â?Œƒ†‹ •‡„—ƒŠ ‡‰ƒ”ƒ ‹ŒƒÂ?ÇĄ ‡‡ ƒÂ?—” „ƒŠƒ™ƒ ‹ƒ Â?ƒ•‹Š Â?‡–‹Â?‰‰ƒŽƒÂ? berbanding kota-kota lain dalam beberapa bidang, seperti memanfaatkan penggunaan pembayaran secara elektronik dalam transaksi sehari-hari. ƒ‰‹ Â?‡Â?‰‡Â?—†‹ —•ƒŠƒ ‡‰ƒ”ƒ ‹ŒƒÂ?ÇĄ ‹Â?‰ƒ’—”ƒ Â?‡Â?‡”Ž—Â?ƒÂ? Ž‡„‹Š ”ƒÂ?ƒ‹ ÂŒÂ—Â”Â—Â–Â‡Â”ÂƒÇĄ ’‡Â?Â‰ÂƒÂ–Â—Â”Â…ÂƒÂ”ÂƒÇĄ ’‡Â?‰ƒÂ?ƒŽ‹•ƒ †ƒ–ƒ †ƒÂ? teknisyen. Dengan dunia menghadapi kekurangan bakat-bakat ini, beliau menekankan pentingnya membangunkan bakat. Di ’‹ŠƒÂ? ’‡Â?‡”‹Â?Â–ÂƒÂŠÇĄ ‹ƒ Â?‡Â?ƒ™ƒ”Â?ƒÂ? „‹ƒ•‹•™ƒ †ƒÂ? –ƒŒƒƒÂ? —Â?–—Â? Â?‡Œ—”—–‡”ƒƒÂ?ÇĄ †ƒÂ? ’ƒ†ƒ Â?ƒ•ƒ ›ƒÂ?‰ •ƒÂ?ƒ Â?‹ŽŽ• —–—”‡ †ƒÂ? ”‘‰”ƒÂ?

Pengalihan Profesional akan membantu rakyat membangunkan dan meningkatkan kemahiran mereka. Â?…‹Â? ‡‡ Œ—‰ƒ Â?‡Â?‡Â?ƒÂ?Â?ƒÂ? ’‡”Ž—Â?›ƒ Â?‡Â?‰ƒ†ƒÂ?ƒÂ? Ž‡„‹Š „ƒÂ?›ƒÂ? ’”‘Œ‡Â? ‡‰ƒ”ƒ ‹ŒƒÂ?ÇĄ Â?‡…‹Ž †ƒÂ? Â„Â‡Â•ÂƒÂ”ÇĄ •‡’‡”–‹ Â?‡Â?‰ƒ†ƒÂ?ƒÂ? aplikasi mudah alih untuk membayar yuran meletak kereta, dan memanfaatkan dengan lebih baik data bersepadu bagi meningkatkan keselamatan awam.

National Day Rally 2017

September 2017

11

CONVERSATION

BY WONG SHER MAINE

Seeding New Approaches Newly-minted Minister Mrs Josephine Teo talks about her niche at work and Singapore's challenges

or a time, the approach to Singapore’s baby shortage seemed to be increasing the quantum of the Baby Bonus cash gift.

But giving couples more money did not meet other pressing needs.

When Mrs Josephine Teo joined the National Population and ƒŽ‡Â?– ‹˜‹•‹‘Â? ‹Â? –Š‡ ”‹Â?‡ ‹Â?‹•–‡”ǯ• Ƽ…‡ǥ •Š‡ ĥÂ?‡†ǣ Šƒ– ‡Ž•‡ can we do?

With her team, they listened intently to young Singaporeans and their reasons for not having children or more children. They visited and studied what other countries were doing; not only the successful ones but countries which had gone all out to raise the „‹”–Š ”ƒ–‡ ™‹–Š Ž‹––Ž‡ •—……‡••ǥ Ž‹Â?‡ ‘—–Š ‘”‡ƒǤ “We decided to study examples of success and ‘failure’. It’s a …‘Â?–”ƒ”‹ƒÂ? ƒ’’”‘ƒ…Š –Šƒ– Š‡Ž’‡† —• –Š‹Â?Â? Â?‘”‡ …”‹–‹…ƒŽŽ› ƒ„‘—– ‘—”

F

16

September 2017

JOSEPHINE TEO

Minister, Prime Minister’s 2ƍFH 6HFRQG 0LQLVWHU 0LQLVWU\ RI 0DQSRZHU DQG 0LQLVWU\ RI +RPH $ƨDLUV 03 IRU %LVKDQ 7RD 3D\RK *5& Age: 49 )DPLO\ Husband Teo Eng Cheong, CEO (International) of Surbana Jurong, 19-year old son and 17-year old twin girls &KLOOD[ Breakfast at favourite hawker stall, sharing music on devices or chatting during a long drive

own areas of focus,� said Mrs Teo, who oversees population matters.

They came away with two discoveries. “One aspect of East Asian culture is that couples want to own a home before starting a family,� she pointed out.

The other aspect was the importance of good, available infant …ƒ”‡ ĥ Â?‘”‡ Â?‘–Š‡”• ƒÂ?† ‰”ƒÂ?†’ƒ”‡Â?–• ”‡Â?ƒ‹Â? ‹Â? –Š‡ ™‘”Â?ÂˆÂ‘Â”Â…Â‡ÇĄ ƒ ˆƒ…–‘” ™Š‹…Š –Š‡ –‡ƒÂ? ƒ•…‡”–ƒ‹Â?‡† ƒˆ–‡” •’‡ƒÂ?‹Â?‰ ™‹–Š ’ƒ”‡Â?–• and doing a survey of families with young children. Mrs Teo even did some “sleuthingâ€?, dropping in at infant care centres without warning to get a sense of services and standards. ‘”Â?‹Â?‰ ™‹–Š –Š‡ ƒÂ?† –Š‡ ƒ”Ž› Š‹Ž†Š‘‘† ‡˜‡Ž‘’Â?‡Â?– ‰‡Â?…›ǥ –Š‡ –‡ƒÂ?ǯ• ‡ƥ‘”–• ”‡•—Ž–‡† ‹Â? Â?‡ƒ•—”‡• –Šƒ– ™‘—Ž† Š‡Ž’ ›‘—Â?‰ …‘—’Ž‡• ‰‡– –Š‡ Â?‡›• –‘ –Š‡‹” ĆŞÂƒÂ–Â• ˆƒ•–‡” ƒÂ?† Â?‘”‡ ‹Â?ˆƒÂ?– …ƒ”‡ places.

Shaking Things Up This was only possible because she was allowed to change things. “There was an open-ness. No one said, I couldn’t touch this or that. I had room to exercise ‹Â?Â‹Â–Â‹ÂƒÂ–Â‹Â˜Â‡ÇĄ ™Š‹…Š ˆ‘—Â?† ˜‡”› ”‡™ƒ”†‹Â?‰Ǥdz Mrs Teo has a triptych of ministries in Š‡” Â’Â‘Â”Â–ÂˆÂ‘ÂŽÂ‹Â‘ÇŁ ‹Â?‹•–‡”ǥ ”‹Â?‡ ‹Â?‹•–‡”ǯ• Ƽ…‡Ǣ ƒÂ?† ‡…‘Â?† ‹Â?‹•–‡” ˆ‘” ƒÂ?’‘™‡” ƒÂ?† ‘Â?‡ ĆĄÂƒÂ‹Â”Â•Ç¤ ‡” ’”‘Â?‘–‹‘Â? ‹• Š‹•–‘”‹…ƒŽŽ› •‹‰Â?Â‹Ć¤Â…ÂƒÂ?– ‹Â? –Šƒ– ‹Â?‰ƒ’‘”‡ ™‹ŽŽ Šƒ˜‡ –™‘ ˆ‡Â?ƒŽ‡ ˆ—ŽŽ Â?‹Â?‹•–‡”• Č‚ –Š‡ other being Ms Grace Fu, the Minister for —Ž–—”‡ǥ ‘Â?Â?—Â?‹–› ƒÂ?† ‘—–Š Č‚ ‹Â? ‹–• ƒ„‹Â?‡– ˆ‘” –Š‡ Ƥ”•– –‹Â?‡Ǥ ‡” ™‘”Â? ‹Â? ”‡…‡Â?– ›‡ƒ”• ”‡ƪ‡…–• ™Šƒ– •Š‡ ˆ‡‡Ž• ‹• ƒ Â?‡™ Â?‹…Š‡ •Š‡ Šƒ• …ƒ”˜‡† ‘—– for herself, as a “troublemakerâ€? of sorts who seeds new approaches and capabilities. Dz ƒŽ™ƒ›• ‰‹˜‡ Â?› –‡ƒÂ? –”‘—„Ž‡ ƒ– –Š‡ start, challenging the way they do things,â€? said Mrs Teo. She reckons that in the Ƥ”•– ŠƒŽˆ ‘ˆ Š‡” …ƒ”‡‡” ƒ– –Š‡ …‘Â?‘Â?‹… ‡˜‡Ž‘’Â?‡Â?– Â‘ÂƒÂ”Â†ÇĄ –Š‡ ‰‡Â?…› ˆ‘” Science, Technology and Research Č‹ Č? ČŒ ƒÂ?† –Š‡ ƒ–‹‘Â?ƒŽ ”ƒ†‡• Â?‹‘Â? ‘Â?‰”‡••ǥ Š‡” Â?‹…Š‡ ™ƒ• Â?‘”‡ ‹Â? Š‡Ž’‹Â?‰ ’‡‘’Ž‡ –‘ ‰”‘™ ‹Â? ƒ„‹Ž‹–› ƒÂ?† …‘Â?Ƥ†‡Â?…‡ ‹Â? these organisations. ‡˜‡”ƒŽ ”‡…‡Â?– ‹Â?•–ƒÂ?…‡• ‹Â? ™Š‹…Š she was instrumental in seeding new approaches include the Pioneer Generation Â?„ƒ••ƒ†‘”• ’”‘‰”ƒÂ?Â?‡ ™Š‡”‡ ‘˜‡” Í&#x;ÇĄÍœÍœÍœ ƒ…–‹˜‡ ˜‘Ž—Â?–‡‡”• ƒ”‡ Â?‘„‹Ž‹•‡† –‘ connect with seniors and help them access ‰‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?– „‡Â?‡Ƥ–•ǥ –Š‡ ‡•–ƒ„Ž‹•ŠÂ?‡Â?– ‘ˆ ƒ ’‡”ˆ‘”Â?‹Â?‰ ƒ”–• ‰”‘—’ ‹Â? ‘—Â?‰ ™Š‹…Š •‡”˜‡• ĥ ƒ ›‘—–Š Â?ƒ‰Â?‡–ǥ ƒÂ?† •‘Â?‡ signature programmes under Business Š‹Â?ƒ ™Š‡Â? ”• ‡‘ ™ƒ• ‹–• Ǥ Š‡•‡ ’”‘‰”ƒÂ?Â?‡• ‹Â?…Ž—†‡ –Š‡ —–—”‡ Š‹Â?ƒ

Ž‘„ƒŽ ‘”—Â?ÇĄ –Š‡ —•‹Â?॥ Š‹Â?ƒ ™ƒ”† ƒÂ?† –Š‡ —–—”‡ Š‹Â?ƒ †˜ƒÂ?…‡† ‡ƒ†‡”• Programme.

Life as a Minister When asked how life has changed since Š‡” ’”‘Â?‘–‹‘Â? –‘ Â?‹Â?‹•–‡”ǥ –Š‡ Ƥ”•– Â?—‰‰‡– •Š‡ ˜‘Ž—Â?–‡‡”• ‹• –Šƒ– •Š‡ Šƒ• –‘ ‰‡– —•‡† –‘ •‡…—”‹–› ‘Ƽ…‡”• –”ƒ‹Ž‹Â?‰ Š‡”Ǥ Â?† –Š‡”‡ ‹• Â?‡˜‡” ‡Â?‘—‰Š –‹Â?‡ Č„ †ƒ‹Ž› ˆƒÂ?‹Ž› –‹Â?‡ ‹• ƒ luxury.

People are also paying more attention

to what she says and writes, and she gets compliments as well as brickbats. Dz †‘Â?ǯ– •‡– ‘—– –‘ ’”‘˜‘Â?‡Ǥ › ‰‡Â?‡”ƒŽ approach is to be direct and honest,â€? she said. “Brickbats are to be expected and it’s not ’Ž‡ƒ•ƒÂ?–Ǥ —– –”› –‘ Ž‘‘Â? „‡›‘Â?† –Š‡ ˜‹–”‹‘Ž ‘” •ƒ”…ƒ•Â?Ǥ ‘Â?‡–‹Â?‡•ǥ –Š‡”‡ ƒ”‡ ˜ƒŽ‹† criticisms which merit further attention.â€?

She cites the example of her residents at Natura Loft, a cluster of three highrise blocks, during a spate of frequent lift breakdowns. “They were right to be upset and our response cannot be to try and suppress their unhappiness but to address the issues squarely.� She got the ‘™� ‘—�…‹Ž –‘ ‹�’Ž‡�‡�– ƒ ˆ”‡•Š •‡– ‘ˆ measures with encouraging results.

Online brickbats were few and far „‡–™‡‡Â? ™Š‡Â? •Š‡ Ƥ”•– ‡Â?–‡”‡† ’‘Ž‹–‹…• ‹Â? ÍžÍœÍœÍ˘Ç¤ ‘Â?Â?‘Â? ’Žƒ…‡ Â?‘™ǥ –Š‡› Šƒ˜‡ ‰‹˜‡Â? Š‡” ƒ •‡Â?•‡ ‘ˆ Š‘™ †‹˜‹†‡† ’‡‘’Ž‡ …ƒÂ? „‡ on some issues. This, she feels, is one of the greatest challenges facing Singapore today.

Growing Threat of Fault Lines Dz Â?Ž‡•• ™‡ ’ƒ› …Ž‘•‡ ƒ––‡Â?–‹‘Â? –‘ potential fault lines in our society, we won’t hold together well enough or long enough to keep Singapore going.â€? ‡š—ƒŽ‹–› ‹• ‘Â?‡Ǥ – ƒ Œ—Â?‹‘” …‘ŽŽ‡‰‡ dialogue session, Mrs Teo shared that two •–—†‡Â?–• ĥÂ?‡† ƒ„‘—– –Š‡ ‰‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?–ǯ• approach to sexuality and if the laws could be changed.

Indeed, anything can become a fault line, from issues of race to politics, animal ”‹‰Š–•ǥ ‡˜‡Â? –Š‡ —•ƒ‰‡ ‘ˆ ’‡”•‘Â?ƒŽ Â?‘„‹Ž‹–›

“I don’t set out to provoke.

My general approach is to be direct and honest,�

†‡˜‹…‡• Ž‹Â?‡ „‹…›…Ž‡• ƒÂ?† •Â?ƒ–‡ •…‘‘–‡”•Ǥ “When people tell you they are angry, they are intensely emotional because it ‹• Â?‘– ƒ †‡–ƒ…Š‡† ˜‹‡™Ǥ Š‡› Â?ƒ› Šƒ˜‡ encountered irresponsible users or nearly got knocked down. You would not imagine –Šƒ– ’‡”•‘Â?ƒŽ Â?‘„‹Ž‹–› †‡˜‹…‡• …‘—Ž† †‹˜‹†‡ …‘Â?Â?—Â?‹–‹‡• „—– ‹– …ƒÂ?ÇĄÇł •Š‡ ‘„•‡”˜‡†Ǥ ‡‘’Ž‡ Š‘Ž† •–”‘Â?‰ Â˜Â‹Â‡Â™Â•ÇĄ ƒÂ?† •‘…‹ƒŽ Â?‡†‹ƒ Šƒ• ’”‘˜‹†‡† ƒ ˆ”›‹Â?‰ ’ƒÂ? ™Š‡”‡ –Š‡•‡ ˜‹‡™• …ƒÂ? ’‘–‡Â?–‹ƒŽŽ› ‹‰Â?‹–‡Ǥ What is crucial is that all parties come together to listen to each other, and not …‘Â?‡ ‹Â? ™‹–Š –Š‡ ƒ‹Â? ‘ˆ „ƒ––Ž‹Â?‰ ˆ‘” ˜‹…–‘”›Ǥ

‹˜‹Â?‰ ƒÂ? ‡šƒÂ?’Ž‡ ‘ˆ Š‘™ –Š‡ ‰‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?– ƒÂ?† ‡Â?˜‹”‘Â?Â?‡Â?–ƒŽ ‰”‘—’• Â?‡– to discuss the alignment of the upcoming ”‘•• •ŽƒÂ?† ‹Â?‡ǥ •Š‡ ƒ••—”‡† –Š‡ ‰”‘—’• –Šƒ– –Š‡ ‰‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?– ™ƒ• Â?‘– ’ƒ›‹Â?‰ Ž‹’ •‡”˜‹…‡ –‘ –Š‡‹” ’”‘’‘•ƒŽ•Ǥ Dz ‡ were making a serious attempt to explore what the potential damage could be (to –Š‡ ‡Â?˜‹”‘Â?Â?‡Â?Â–ČŒ ‹ˆ –Š‡ ‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?– ™‡Â?– ahead with its initial plan. But I said it could only be a meaningful engagement if the groups were also open to the possibility –Šƒ– –Š‡ ƤÂ?ƒŽ ƒŽ‹‰Â?Â?‡Â?– Â?ƒ› Â?‘– „‡ –Š‡‹” preference,â€? she said. “They were prepared to come on board on those terms.â€?

Mrs Josephine Teo, then Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister's 2ĆŤFH DQG 'U )DLVKDO Ibrahim, Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, interacting with children during a visit to a Skool4kidz childcare centre in Tampines in December 2016.

September 2017

17

FEATURE

New jobs are still being created

W

hile Mrs Teo acknowledges that there are concerns that structural shifts in the economy may render some jobs obsolete, she takes a more optimistic view of the jobs landscape.

Comparing the retrenchments during the FKNA@K ĆĽM@MBH@K BQHRHR SN SNC@XĹ—R INA losses, she reasoned: “Job losses then were mainly due to a cyclical downturn whereas more of the job losses today are due to structural changes. Back then, no new jobs were created but today, there’s actually new job creation even as old jobs are lost.â€?

The government’s approach to helping workers has also shifted. “In 2008 and 2009, we decided to help cut costs to save jobs.

Today, the focus is on helping businesses and industries transform and grow, while helping Singaporeans adapt and grow,� she said.

As someone who has been on both sides of the fence, Mrs Teo’s approach to helping workers is also to help the companies to do well.

Grandmother’s Lifelong (MƌTDMBD Who was your childhood inspiration?

My paternal grandmother. I lived with her in the Joo Chiat area until I was 13 as my parents were busy working. She died in 2009 at the age of 92.

Why was she inspiring?

She ran a medicinal hall with my grandfather at Geylang Lorong 13 which was burnt down three times during World War 2. People from her generation developed great resilience.

She was a Hakka woman who was illiterate, but taught herself how to read and write by scrutinising the Chinese newspapers and studying 5-10 words a day. She didn’t speak Mandarin either, but eventually learnt the language by watching TV. How did you spend time with her?

Well, I would watch Tamil movies with her on Thursdays and Fridays and that was how I improved my English, by reading the subtitles so that I could explain to her! I learnt Mandarin characters as she would point them out to me on signs and buildings. And I learnt Malay as a pre-schooler when she opened a shoe shop and I had to converse with Malay customers. I also caught the travel bug from her, as she was very adventurous. From the SHLD ( V@R RHW XD@QR NKC RGD VNTKC S@JD LD @KNMF DUDQXVGDQD RGD VDMS RN SG@S ( VNTKC ĆĽKK out the immigration forms and navigate the airports for her!

How did growing up with her change you?

She had a real sense of adventure and I think I got that from her. She’d say: “Just ask, just try. Who says you can’t?�

18

September 2017

On how to balance economic development and workers’ interests, she said: “If we want our union members to do well, we must help the companies do well. For example, to cut wastage in production or acquire new capabilities to grow their markets beyond Singapore. But at the same time, the companies know that the unions expect them to treat the workers fairly, share the fruits of success and to give them opportunities to advance.â€? “By and large, employers and unions in Singapore recognise their interests are aligned. We try to be pro-business and pro-worker at the same time, so that economic development produces a A@K@MBD NE ADMDĆĽSR Ĺš

“Just ask, just try.

Who says you can’t?�

GROUNDWORK >

PAP.SG

Branches to take ownership of PAP . SG programmes The advocacy group was centrally-directed in its formative years but the time has come to pass the baton to the branches

T

Š‡ ‡Â?‹‘”• ”‘—’ Č‹ Ǥ ČŒ …‡Ž‡„”ƒ–‡† ‹–• ƒ…Š‹‡˜‡Â?‡Â?–• ‘Â? —Ž› Í? ™‹–Š ƒ„‘—– Í&#x;͜͞ ’ƒ”–› ÂƒÂ…Â–Â‹Â˜Â‹Â•Â–Â•ÇĄ retired MPs and committee members of –Š‡ ƒ†˜‘…ƒ…› ‰”‘—’Ǥ Established in Dec 2013, the PAP.SG is an interest group that champions elderly causes as Singapore’s population ages. It ˆ‘…—•‡• ‘Â? ‹••—‡• ™Š‹…Š ÂƒĆĄÂ‡Â…Â– –Š‡ Ž‹˜‡• ‘ˆ the elderly in the community, especially their quality of life, care and security.

In his address, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who was the Guest-of-Honour at –Š‡ –‡ƒ ”‡…‡’–‹‘Â?ÇĄ …‹–‡† –Š‡ …ƒ•‡ ‘ˆ ˜‡–‡”ƒÂ? ƒ…–‹˜‹•– ‹Â?…‡Â?– ‡‘ ™Š‘ …ƒÂ?‡ —’ ™‹–Š an idea to educate elderly residents about ‰‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?– ’‘Ž‹…‹‡• •—…Š ĥ ‡†‹ Š‹‡Ž† Life and the Pioneer Generation Package while they wait to meet the MP at the ™‡‡Â?Ž› Â?‡‡–nj–Š‡nj’‡‘’Ž‡ Č‹ ČŒ •‡••‹‘Â?•Ǥ Since last October, the 71-year-old Mr ‡‘ Šƒ• •‡– —’ ƒ Ç˛Â•Â‡Â”Â˜Â‹Â…Â‡ „‘‘–Šdz ƒ– –Š‡ —‘Â?ƒ ‹•–ƒ „”ƒÂ?…Šǥ ™Š‡”‡ ˜‘Ž—Â?–‡‡”• ƒ”‡ on hand to explain these policies and help residents apply for help if they qualify.

Explaining how he came up the idea, Mr Teo said he noticed that while waiting –‘ Â?‡‡– –Š‡ ÇĄ ”‡•‹†‡Â?–• Œ—•– •‹– –Š‡”‡ ƒÂ?† “twiddle their thumbsâ€? so he decided to Â?ƒÂ?‡ ‹– Â?‘”‡ …‘Â?•–”—…–‹˜‡Ǥ

Dz ‘™ǥ ™‡ ƒŽ•‘ …ƒÂ? ƤÂ?† ‘—– ™Šƒ– ‘–Š‡” ’”‘„Ž‡Â?• –Š‡› ÂŠÂƒÂ˜Â‡ÇĄ ƒÂ?† ‹ˆ ™‡ …ƒÂ? Š‡Ž’ –Š‡Â?ÇĄĚž •ƒ‹† ” ‡‘ǥ ™Š‘ Œ‘‹Â?‡† –Š‡ ’ƒ”–› in 1983. ‡ ƒÂ?† ˆ‡ŽŽ‘™ ƒ…–‹˜‹•– ‡––› ™‡Â?ÇĄ ͢͢ǥ are now helping to set up these booths in other constituencies nationwide.

Speaker of Parliament Madam Halimah ÂƒÂ…Â‘Â„ÇĄ ™Š‘ …Šƒ‹”• Ǥ ÇĄ Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇŁ Dz Š‹• ‹• the third year of our formation and they Šƒ˜‡ „‡‡Â? „—•› ›‡ƒ”• ˆ‘” Ǥ ƒÂ?† ‘—” ƒ…–‹˜‹•–•Ǥ —– ‘ˆ –Š‡ ͤͼ „”ƒÂ?…Š‡•ǥ ͣ͢ Šƒ˜‡ formed PAP.SG chapters.â€? Š‡ ‡š’Žƒ‹Â?‡† –Šƒ– ™Š‹Ž‡ ‡ƥ‘”–• ™‡”‡ mostly centrally-directed in the past, the plan now is to let the branches take ownership of PAP.SG’s programmes to empower them to reach out to more seniors in the community.

Sec-Gen Lee: Build on pioneers’ strong foundation PM Lee, who is the PAP’s SecretaryGeneral, also paid tribute to the party's •‡Â?‹‘” ÂƒÂ…Â–Â‹Â˜Â‹Â•Â–Â•ÇĄ Â?‘–‹Â?‰ –Šƒ– ‹– Šƒ• …‘Â?‡ ƒ long way since its founding in 1954, thanks to the hard work and dedication of party ’‹‘Â?‡‡”•Ǥ ‡ Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇŁ Ěž Š‡› Šƒ˜‡ ‰‹˜‡Â? —• ƒ strong foundation to build on and now, it is our challenge, our responsibility and our

calling to carry on the work.�

He also thanked the pioneers who stepped forward to mentor the younger ‰‡Â?‡”ƒ–‹‘Â? ‘ˆ ƒ…–‹˜‹•–•Ǥ Â?‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡Â? ‹• ” ‡Ž˜‹Â? Â?‰ ™Š‘ǥ ‘Â?Ž› Í Í˘ ›‡ƒ”• ‘Ž†ǥ ‹• …‘Â?•‹†‡”‡† ƒ ˜‡–‡”ƒÂ? ƒ…–‹˜‹•–Ǥ ‘Â?‡ ›‡ƒ”• ÂƒÂ‰Â‘ÇĄ –Š‡ ƒ••‹•–ƒÂ?– branch secretary at Queenstown took a ”‘‘Â?‹‡ ˜‘Ž—Â?–‡‡” —Â?†‡” Š‹• ™‹Â?‰Ǥ Â‘Â†ÂƒÂ›ÇĄ –Š‡ ”‘‘Â?‹‡ ˜‘Ž—Â?–‡‡”ǥ ” ‡š–‡” ŠƒÂ?ÇĄ Í&#x;͞ǥ has found his footing and is chairman of the Young PAP Queenstown branch and deputy organising secretary of the Young š‡…—–‹˜‡ ‘Â?Â?‹––‡‡Ǥ Also at the tea reception at One Farrer Hotel and Spa was Mr Shaukat Ali, 57, from –Š‡ ‘‘†‰”‘˜‡ „”ƒÂ?…Š ƒÂ?† ƒ Â?‡Â?„‡” since 1979. He too interacts with elderly ”‡•‹†‡Â?–• ƒ– –Š‡ Ǥ ‡ Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇŁ Dz ƒÂ?› are unaware of the numerous assistance ’”‘‰”ƒÂ?Â?‡• ‘ƥ‡”‡† „› –Š‡ ‰‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?– •‘

Â?ƒÂ?‡ –Š‡ ‡ƥ‘”– –‘ †‹•…—•• –Š‡•‡ •…Š‡Â?‡• with them. “My fellow members and myself make ‡˜‡”› ‡ƥ‘”– –‘ ”‡ƒ…Š ‘—– –‘ –Š‡Â?Ǥdz

* Madam Halimah resigned as Speaker of Parliament and MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC and left the PAP on Aug 7, 2017 to contest the presidential election.

It has been a busy three years since PAP.SG was formed in Dec 2013. Out of the 89 branches, 76 have formed PAP.SG chapters. There are plans to let the branches take ownership of PAP.SG programmes to empower them to engage with more seniors.

September 2017

19

SPECIAL

Work in progress to serve you better All-out efforts are underway to improve rail reliability and greater network accessibility around Singapore

S

‹Â?Â‰ÂƒÂ’Â‘Â”Â‡Ě˝Â• –”ƒ‹Â?• ƒ”‡ –”ƒ˜‡ŽŽ‹Â?‰ a much longer distance before experiencing a delay, statistics from –Š‡ ƒÂ?† ”ƒÂ?•’‘”– —–Š‘”‹–› Č‹ ČŒ •Š‘™Ǥ Based on an international standard of measuring rail reliability known as the ‡ƒÂ? ‹Ž‘Â?‡–”‡• ‡–™‡‡Â? ƒ‹Ž—”‡ Č‹ ČŒÇĄ ‹Â?Â‰ÂƒÂ’Â‘Â”Â‡Ě˝Â• –”ƒ‹Â? •›•–‡Â?• ‹Â?’”‘˜‡† ‹Â? ”‡Ž‹ƒ„‹Ž‹–› „› ‘˜‡” ˆ‘—” –‹Â?‡• ‹Â? –Š‡ Ƥ”•– ŠƒŽˆ ‘ˆ –Š‹• ›‡ƒ” Č‹Í&#x;ÍĽÍ&#x;ÇĄÍœÍœÍœ –”ƒ‹Â?ÇŚÂ?Â?ČŒ …‘Â?’ƒ”‡† to 94,000 train-km for the full year of 2013. The higher the MKBF, the higher the reliability. ÂŽÂŽ Ć¤Â˜Â‡ Ž‹Â?‡•ǯ ”‡Ž‹ƒ„‹Ž‹–› Šƒ˜‡ ‹Â?’”‘˜‡† „‡–™‡‡Â? –Š‡ Ƥ”•– ŠƒŽˆ ‘ˆ ͜͞Í?ÍŁ ƒÂ?† the full year of 2016. From January to June –Š‹• Â›Â‡ÂƒÂ”ÇĄ –”ƒ‹Â?• …‘—Ž† …‘˜‡” ƒÂ? ƒ˜‡”ƒ‰‡ ‘ˆ 393,000 train-km before they experienced a

Fort Canning Station

Bencoolen Station

Jalan Besar Station

ˆƒ—Ž– ™Š‹…Š …ƒ—•‡† ƒ †‡Žƒ› ‘ˆ Â?‘”‡ –ŠƒÂ? Ć¤Â˜Â‡ minutes. This compared well against the 174,000 train-km MKBF for the entire 2016. Š‡ Â„Â‡Â•Â–ÇŚÂ’Â‡Â”ÂˆÂ‘Â”Â?‹Â?‰ ‘ˆ –Š‡ Ć¤Â˜Â‡ lines was the North East Line which ‹Â?’”‘˜‡† Â?‘”‡ –ŠƒÂ? Ć¤Â˜Â‡ÇŚÂˆÂ‘ÂŽÂ† ˆ”‘Â? Í?ÍŁÍ ÇĄÍœÍœÍœ train-km in 2016 to 978,000 train-km in 1H 2017.

The LRT system's performance also ‹Â?Â’Â”Â‘Â˜Â‡Â†ÇĄ ™‹–Š ‹–• –”ƒ‹Â?• …‘˜‡”‹Â?‰ ƒ Ž‘Â?‰‡” distance before experiencing a fault which …ƒ—•‡† ƒ †‡Žƒ› ‘ˆ Â?‘”‡ –ŠƒÂ? Ć¤Â˜Â‡ Â?‹Â?—–‡•Ǥ Š‡•‡ Ƥ‰—”‡• †‘ Â?‘– –ƒÂ?‡ ‹Â?–‘ ƒ……‘—Â?– faults caused by the ongoing re-signalling works on the North-South and East-West Lines, which are essential for upgrading ‘Ž†‡” Ž‹Â?‡•Ǥ ‘Â?Â?—–‡”• ™‹ŽŽ ”‡ƒ’ –Š‡ ˆ—ŽŽ „‡Â?‡Ƥ–• ‘ˆ –Š‡ •›•–‡Â? —’‘Â? –Š‡ …‘Â?’Ž‡–‹‘Â?

Bendemeer Station

Geylang Bahru Station

‘ˆ –Š‡•‡ ƒÂ?† ‘–Š‡” ‹Â?’”‘˜‡Â?‡Â?– ™‘”Â?•Ǥ For incidents of more than 30 minutes, both the MRT and LRT lines also did better. ”‘Â? Í?͢ ‹Â?…‹†‡Â?–• ‹Â? –Š‡ ‘˜‡”ƒŽŽ network in 2016, the number dropped sharply to six in 1H 2017. The LRT system had four incidents in the 1H 2017 compared with 18 for the entire 2016.

The best-performing of the ďŹ ve MRT lines was the North East Line which improved more than ďŹ ve-fold from 174,000 train-km in 2016 to 978,000 train-km in 1H 2017.

Mattar Station

MacPherson Station

Ubi Station

Downtown Line (DTL) Stage 3 Coming your way on Oct 21, 2017

20

September 2017

Other ongoing improvements

10-minute walk

Ă‚

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan is also raising the bar on MRT reliability by setting the goal of achieving 1 million MKBF across all the lines by the year 2020. * Taipei, which currently has one of the best metro systems, last year

DFKLHYHG DQ 0.%) RI RI PRUH WKDQ ƲYH PLQXWHV

Ă‚

The 21-km Downtown Line 3 (DTL3) will open on Oct 21, 2017. DTL3 comprises 16 stations, including three interchanges and will provide more connectivity to the rest of the rail network and more accessibility around Singapore.

Ă‚

Replacing the ageing power supply system on the North-South and East-West Lines. When completed by 2023, it will incorporate the latest technologies for system monitoring, diagnostics and recovery abilities.

8 in 10 Homes

By 2030

Train Station

Ă‚

With more lines and extensions to the rail network, 8 in 10 households will be within a 10-minute walk from a train station by 2030.

Rail reliability has improved

2013: 94,000 km

(by MKBF)

2014: 93,000 km 2015:

Mean distance travelled between delays > 5 min (train-km) for overall MRT Network

133,000 km 2016:

174,000 km

First 1/2 of 2017:

*excludes the delays arising from the on-going NSEWL signalling upgrade tests

393,000 km

2013: 58,000 km

Mean distance travelled between delays > 5 min (car-km) for overall LRT Network

2014: 44,000 km 2015: 42,000 km 2016: 49,000 km First 1/2 of 2017: 74,000 km

Statistics: LTA

Kaki Bukit Station

Bedok North Station

Bedok Reservoir Station

Tampines West Station

Tampines Station

Tampines East Station

Upper Changi Station

September 2017

Expo Station

21

GROUNDWORK >

WOMEN’S WING

Sustained Drive for Women’s Causes n the past year, the PAP Women’s Wing

women’s causes.

Minister Grace Fu, addressing WW members at its annual conference on July 15, said that progress included enhancements to paternity and maternity ǡ

leadership, and four women MPs and one

April this year to support the aspirations of women both in their career and family.

Ƥ been debated in Parliament. Nearly 20 MPs, as well as Ministers and a Minister of ǡ Ǥ MPs also spoke with passion in support of the motion. Hence, there was unanimous support for it in the House. ǡ ǣ Dz work does not stop here. Women continue to be under-represented in leadership positions and on company boards, earn less than their male counterparts and face unfair societal expectations in the areas of Ǧ Ǥ “We can and should continue to do more. We should continue to be the ears and eyes on the ground – to understand Ƥ ǥ ǡ need to work hard to transform these calls into tangible action. We can do so by ǡ

Ǧ Ǥdz Applause rang out when Ms Fu, who ǡ and Youth, threw the spotlight on Mrs Josephine Teo, who was appointed full minister in May. Mrs Teo’s appointment is Ƥ ǯ history, there are two full female Ministers Ǥ Dz

I

22

September 2017

At its recent annual conference, PAP Women’s Wing members came away with a renewed sense of purpose to continue to be the voice for Singapore women and transform it into tangible courses of action.

“We can and should continue to do more.

We should continue to be the ears and eyes on the ground — to understand the needs and find out what gaps exist… besides making our voices heard, we also need to work hard to transform these calls into tangible action.”

Women’s Wing must continue to work hard to be the voice for Singapore women. Its Chairman Grace Fu hopes there will be more female ministers in the cabinet.

female Minister,� said Ms Fu, “there will be more to come!�

WW members were at Hotel Fort ƒÂ?Â?‹Â?‰ ˆ‘” –Š‡ ‘Â?‡Â?ǯ• ‹Â?‰ ‘Â?ˆ‡”‡Â?…‡ ƒÂ?† ‘Â?‡Â? Â?–”‡’”‡Â?‡—” Fair, which drew a record turnout of about Í&#x;ͤ͜ ™‘Â?‡Â?Ǥ Ž•‘ ’”‡•‡Â?– ƒ– –Š‡ ‡˜‡Â?– ™‡”‡ retired MPs Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Ellen Lee and Lim Hwee Hua. The theme was “Singapore Women in Future Economyâ€? and the highlight was the sharing by guest speakers who are successful women entrepreneurs, marking ƒ †‡’ƒ”–—”‡ ˆ”‘Â? ’”‡˜‹‘—• ‡˜‡Â?–• ™Š‹…Š were restricted to PAP members The three guest speakers, Ms Rita Zahara ŽŠƒ†‹ Č‹Â…Â‘ÇŚÂˆÂ‘Â—Â?†‡” ‘ˆ ‹ ƒ ‘‘†• –‡ Â–Â†ČŒÇĄ Mrs Sher-Li Torrey (founder of Mums@ ‘”Â?ČŒ ƒÂ?† • ƒ…Š‡Ž Â?‰ Č‹ÂˆÂ‘Â—Â?†‡” ƒÂ?† …Š‹‡ˆ ‡š‡…—–‹˜‡ ‘ˆ …‘Â?•—Ž–ƒÂ?…› Â‘ÂŠÂ‡Â‹ČŒ ‡š’”‡••‡† –Š‡‹” †‡Ž‹‰Š– –‘ „‡ ‹Â?˜‹–‡† ˆ‘” –Š‡ conference, and took turns to describe their ‡Â?–”‡’”‡Â?‡—”•Š‹’ Œ‘—”Â?‡›•Ǥ

The audience was spell-bound when Ms Rita described how she parlayed her health ˆ‘‘† †‡Ž‹˜‡”› „—•‹Â?‡••ǯ ÍŠÍĄÍœÍœÇĄÍœÍœÍœÇŚÂ…ÂƒÂ’Â‹Â–ÂƒÂŽ ‹Â?–‘ ƒ –Š”‹˜‹Â?‰ ÍŠÍžÍœÇŚÂ?‹ŽŽ‹‘Â?ÇŚÂ†Â‘ÂŽÂŽÂƒÂ” „—•‹Â?॥ ‹Â? Œ—•– ‘Â?‡ ›‡ƒ”Ǥ ”• ‘””‡› –ƒŽÂ?‡† about how successfully “match-makingâ€? Š‘—•‡™‹˜‡• –‘ …‘”’‘”ƒ–‡ Œ‘„• Â?‡‡’• Š‡” ‰‘‹Â?‰ ƒˆ–‡” •‡˜‡Â? –‹”‹Â?‰ Â›Â‡ÂƒÂ”Â•ÇĄ ƒÂ?† • Â?‰ focused on the importance of building trust and goodwill – “a good name is better than great richesâ€?.

Tips from women entrepreneurs The audience also heard how e-commerce platforms can be used to ‘˜‡”…‘Â?‡ ”‡•‘—”…‡ …‘Â?•–”ƒ‹Â?–• ‹Â? •–ƒ”–‹Â?‰ businesses, that women entrepreneurs „‡Â?‡Ƥ– ˆ”‘Â? •–”‘Â?‰ ˆƒÂ?‹Ž› •—’’‘”– networks, and that good time management is crucial. ‘”’‘”ƒ–‡ •‡…”‡–ƒ”› ›Â?‡––‡ ‘‘ǥ ™Š‘ ‹• ˆ”‘Â? –Š‡ ‡•– ‘ƒ•– …‘Â?•–‹–—‡Â?…›ǥ ™ƒ• inspired by the speakers. But what struck

her most was what Mrs Torrey said, about Š‘™ ‘Â?‡ǯ• Â?‹…Š‡ ‹Â? Ž‹ˆ‡ †‘‡• Â?‘– Šƒ˜‡ –‘ „‡ ƒ „‹‰ǥ ‰ŽƒÂ?‘—”‘—•ǥ ÂŽÂ‹ÂˆÂ‡ÇŚÂ…ÂŠÂƒÂ?‰‹Â?‰ ‡Â?†‡ƒ˜‘—”Ǥ ƒ‹† • ‘‘ǣ Dz Â?ƒ› Â?‘– „‡ ƒÂ? ‡Â?–”‡’”‡Â?‡—”ǥ „—– ƒ…–—ƒŽŽ› ‹Â? Â?› Œ‘„ Â?‘™ǥ

ƒÂ? ’”‘˜‹†‹Â?‰ ƒ Â•Â‡Â”Â˜Â‹Â…Â‡ÇĄ •‡”˜‹Â?‰ –Š‡ company. I do my best and I feel good about it.â€? ˆ–‡” ƒ •‡”‹‡• ‘ˆ …‘Â?˜‡”•ƒ–‹‘Â?• ™‹–Š –™‘ other women entrepreneurs – Ms Angeline ‡‡ǥ Â…Â‘ÇŚÂˆÂ‘Â—Â?†‡” ‘ˆ —’‡”Žƒ–‹˜‡ ‘‘†• ƒÂ?† • ‹Â?Â?‹‡ ŠƒÂ?ÇĄ ˆ‘—Â?†‡” ƒÂ?† ‘ˆ ›Â?† ”–‹•ƒÂ? ÇŚÇŚ –Š‡ ‡˜‡Â?– …—ŽÂ?‹Â?ƒ–‡† ‹Â? ƒ „ƒœƒƒ” ˆ‡ƒ–—”‹Â?‰ ƒ ˜ƒ”‹‡–› ‘ˆ ‹–‡Â?•ǥ ˆ”‘Â? ”‡˜‡”•‹„Ž‡ …Š‹Ž†”‡Â?ǯ• …Ž‘–Š‡• –‘ Â?ƒ”Â?ƒŽƒ†‡• ƒÂ?† Œ‡™‡ŽŽ‡”›Ǥ As WW members indulged in a spot ‘ˆ Â’Â‘Â•Â–ÇŚÂ‡Â˜Â‡Â?– ”‡–ƒ‹Ž Â–ÂŠÂ‡Â”ÂƒÂ’Â›ÇĄ ‹– ™ƒ• Ƥ––‹Â?‰ as they were directly supporting fellow women. All of the featured businesses were set up and run by women – of course.

This year’s WW annual conference broke new ground when it invited guest speakers. The speakers, successful women entrepreneurs, shared their trials and tribulations about going into business.

September 2017

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GROUNDWORK >

YOUNG PAP

Teamwork, owers, wakes and other best practices Young PAP members gather for an afternoon to pick up some best practices from their comrades he spotlight often shines only on those at the top of the hierarchy – the MP, the branch chairman and Â˜Â‹Â…Â‡ÇŚÂ…ÂŠÂƒÂ‹Â”Â?ƒÂ? Č‚ „—– ‡˜‡”› •‹Â?‰Ž‡ Â?‡Â?„‡” of a PAP branch plays equally important roles.

Addressing a group of about 100 Young PAP members who had gathered for their bi-monthly meeting on July 22, ‘—‰ƒÂ?‰ …Šƒ‹”Â?ƒÂ? ” ‡‡ ‘Â?‰ Š—ƒÂ?‰ǥ emphasised the importance of teamwork. “For a candidate to win an election, it –ƒÂ?‡• ƒ Ž‘– ‘ˆ ‡ƥ‘”– ‹Â? –Š‡ „ƒ…Â?‰”‘—Â?† ˆ”‘Â? you, to support them. Also, don’t think ƒÂ?› Œ‘„ ‹• Œ—•– ˆ‘” –Š‡ …Šƒ‹”Â?ƒÂ? ‘” Â˜Â‹Â…Â‡ÇŚ …Šƒ‹”Â?ƒÂ?Ǥ ‘— ƒŽŽ Šƒ˜‡ ƒ ”‘Ž‡Ǥdz He was one of three speakers who •Šƒ”‡† „‡•– ’”ƒ…–‹…‡• †—”‹Â?‰ –Š‡ ‡˜‡Â?– ƒ– –Š‡ ÇĄ ™Š‹…Š Â?‹…Â?‡† ‘ƥ ™‹–Š ƒ …ŠƒÂ?‰‡‘˜‡” ‹Â? –Š‡ š‡…—–‹˜‡ ‘Â?Â?‹––‡‡Ǥ ’’”‡…‹ƒ–‹‘Â? Ž‡––‡”• ™‡”‡ ‰‹˜‡Â? –‘ –Š‡ outgoing YP Exco, and to the new Exco Â?‡Â?„‡”• •‡”˜‹Â?‰ –Š‡ ͜͞Í?ÍŁČ€ÍžÍœÍ?ͤ –‡”Â?Ǥ After thanking the outgoing committee ƒÂ?† ™‡Ž…‘Â?‹Â?‰ –Š‡ Â?‡™ ‘Â?‡ǥ Šƒ‹”Â?ƒÂ? ” ƒÂ?‹Ž —–Š—…Š‡ƒ”› Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇŁ Dz ‡ Â?‡‡† –‘ …‘Â?–‹Â?—‡ ™‘”Â?‹Â?‰ –‘‰‡–Š‡” ƒÂ?† ™‡ Šƒ˜‡ –‘ know the ground well.â€?

As the sole speaker from an Opposition ward, and as the PAP candidate for ‘—‰ƒÂ?‰ ‹Â? ͜͞Í?ÍĄÇĄ ” ‡‡ǯ• ƒ†˜‹…‡ ™ƒ• framed by the fact that the PAP team there †‘‡• Â?‘– Šƒ˜‡ –Š‡ „‡Â?‡Ƥ– ‘ˆ ƒ ‘™Â? ‘—Â?…‹Ž to work with. Dz ‡ Šƒ˜‡ –‘ –Š‹Â?Â? ‘—– ‘ˆ –Š‡ „‘šǥdz Š‡ •ƒ‹†Ǥ ‘” ‹Â?•–ƒÂ?…‡ǥ –Š‡› Šƒ˜‡ –‘ ”‡•‘”– –‘ working closely with the residents and grassroots leaders to keep tabs on funeral wakes to stay close to the ground. “We must Ž‡˜‡”ƒ‰‡ ‘Â? –Š‡ ”‡•‹†‡Â?–• „‡…ƒ—•‡ –Š‡› are key,â€? said Mr Lee, who reckons he has ƒ––‡Â?†‡† ‘˜‡” Í ÍœÍœ ™ƒÂ?‡• ‹Â? –Š‡ Žƒ•– –™‘ years.

T

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September 2017

‡ ƒŽ•‘ –ƒŽÂ?‡† ƒ„‘—– DzÂ?‡˜‡” —Â?†‡”nj estimating someone’s strengthâ€?. Showing ƒ Š—Â?‘”‘—• ˜‹†‡‘ …Ž‹’ ‘ˆ ƒ •‘……‡” Â?ƒÂ?ƒ‰‡” calling on a toddler substitute who helped –‘ •…‘”‡ ƒ Â‰Â‘ÂƒÂŽÇĄ Š‡ Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇŁ Dz ˜‡”› Â?‡Â?„‡” Â?ƒ› Šƒ˜‡ —Â?†‹•…‘˜‡”‡† –ƒŽ‡Â?–• ™Š‹…Š …ƒÂ? ‰”‡ƒ–Ž› help the team. You must reach out and ask!â€? ‡Â?‰•ŠƒÂ? • Š‡”›Ž ŠƒÂ? –ƒŽÂ?‡† about how, by way of introduction to the residents, she came up with a book, titled “Memories and Dreamsâ€? which she ’‡”•‘Â?ƒŽŽ› †‡Ž‹˜‡”‡† –‘ –Š‡Â?Ǥ Š‡ ƒŽ•‘

YP Chairman Dr Janil Puthucheary urges members to stay close to the ground.

stressed the importance of consistency in †‡Ž‹˜‡”‹Â?‰ ’”‘Â?‹•‡•ǥ ƒÂ?† —Â?‹–› ‹Â? ™‘”Â?‹Â?‰ ™‹–Š Š‡” –‹”‡Ž‡•• –‡ƒÂ? ‘ˆ ˜‘Ž—Â?–‡‡”•Ǥ ” ƒ”› ‰‹ƒÂ?ÇĄ ƒÂ? ƒ…–‹˜‹•– ˆ”‘Â? ‡‡ ‘‘Â? ÇĄ †‡•…”‹„‡† •‡˜‡”ƒŽ Ž‡••‘Â?• which his team had learnt about resident ‡Â?‰ƒ‰‡Â?‡Â?– ™Š‹Ž‡ ‘”‰ƒÂ?‹•‹Â?‰ ƒ…–‹˜‹–‹‡•Ǥ ‘” instance, National Day is when nationalism is at a high, and is an opportune moment to remind residents about the country’s Š‹•–‘”› ƒÂ?† ƒ…Š‹‡˜‡Â?‡Â?–•Ǥ ‡ ƒŽ•‘ ”‡˜‡ƒŽ‡† –Šƒ– ™Š‹Ž‡ ‘–Š‡”ǯ• ƒ› was a prime opportunity to make women Šƒ’’› –Š”‘—‰Š ‰‹ˆ–‹Â?‰ ƪ‘™‡”•ǥ ÂƒÂ–ÂŠÂ‡Â”ÇŻÂ• ƒ› ’”‘˜‡† –‘ „‡ Â?‘”‡ …ŠƒŽŽ‡Â?‰‹Â?‰Ǥ Dz –ǯ• Â?‘– easy to make Dads happy,â€? he quipped. Š‡•‡ ‡˜‡Â?–• ‘ˆ–‡Â? ‡Â?†‡† ™‹–Š Â?‡Â?„‡”• Šƒ˜‹Â?‰ „”‡ƒÂ?ˆƒ•– ‘” Ž—Â?…Š‡• ™‹–Š the residents, so they could make their presence felt.

YP members are also a good addition to mobile meet-the-people sessions, as they imbue a youthful and hip image to the party, said Mr Ngiam.

After the presentations, the assembly broke into groups to discuss how each region could enhance the YP experience.

YP Executive Committee members for 2017/2018 Appointment YP Advisor YP Advisor YP Advisor YP Chairman YP Vice-Chairman YP Vice-Chairman YP Organising Secretary YP Deputy Organising Secretary Executive Secretary Assistant Executive Secretary Treasurer Assistant Treasurer

Name Chan Chun Sing Desmond Choo Pey Ching Dr Tan Wu Meng Dr Janil Puthucheary Amrin Amin Tin Pei Ling Cynthia Mark Dr Dexter Chan Yak Seng Theodora Lai Xiyi Chua Wei-Shan Chay Yiowmin William Chow Kin Fai

GROUNDWORK >

YOUNG PAP

DEXTER CHAN

YP deputy organising secretary and YP chairman Queenstown branch

aily, fathers work long and hard to put food on the table and to give their families a better quality of life. They play an important role in our families, from being the breadwinner to the head of the household and role model for their children.

While Father’s Day is less celebrated ǯ ǡ Ƥ Father’s Day is just as meaningful.

Early on Sunday morning during this year’s Father’s Day which fell on June 18, several YP members joined their MPs and branch activists in various constituencies to greet fathers who were out marketing or having breakfast with their families.

YP members from Punggol accompanied their MP, Minister for Education (Schools) Mr Ng Chee Meng, to Punggol Plaza where they distributed packets of snacks and wished fathers a happy Father’s Day. YP’s Chong Pang branch handed out coasters with messages of encouragement to dads at Chong Pang Market & Food Centre.

Over in Queenstown, YP members led their MP, Dr Chia Shi-Lu to take Polaroid photographs of fathers and their families at Tanglin Halt Market and ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre. Branches in Nee Soon distributed items ranging from home-baked cookies to bottle openers to the fathers.

The response was warm — many families and dads, both young and old, appreciated these simple gestures which recognise the role of fathers. By and large, the dads were more bashful than the mums when YP led similar market visits on Mother’s Day. Their attitude was typical of most dads, caring for their families in their stoic way without expecting an acknowledgement. ƪ ǡ big thank you and Happy Father’s Day!

Celebrating Father’s Day

D

A cheery greeting from one father to another: Minister for Education (Schools) Mr Ng Chee Meng distributes tokens of appreciation to fathers in his Punggol ward.

YP members lead their branches and MPs on Father’s Day market visits

Chong Pang YP members as they start their Father’s Day market visit.

September 2017

25

GROUNDWORK >

PAP POLICY FORUM

SkillsFuture makes inroads There will be assessments to help Singaporeans find their “compass� and attend training to develop their potential

scheme that makes it easier for Singaporeans to decide on their requisite skills upgrading will be rolled out soon, said Minister for †—…ƒ–‹‘Â? Č‹ ‹‰Š‡” †—…ƒ–‹‘Â? ƒÂ?† Â?Â‹ÂŽÂŽÂ•ČŒ Mr Ong Ye Kung. Â?‹ŽŽ• —–—”‡ Â†Â˜Â‹Â…Â‡ÇĄ ˆ‘”Â?‡”Ž› Â?Â?‘™Â? as SkillsFuture Engage, will equip Singaporeans with the necessary guidance to help them in their pursuit of lifelong learning and knowledge, he said at a dialogue organised by the PAP Policy ‘”—Â? Č‹ ČŒ ‘Â? —Ž› ͞ͼǤ „‘—– Í?͜͞ ’ƒ”–› ƒ…–‹˜‹•–• ƒ––‡Â?†‡† –Š‡ …Ž‘•‡† †‘‘” †‹ƒŽ‘‰—‡ on the Future Economy and Skills Future held at the PAP HQ. Â?‹ŽŽ• —–—”‡ †˜‹…‡ ™‹ŽŽ „‡ …‘Â?†—…–‡† ƒ– …‘Â?˜‡Â?‹‡Â?– Ž‘…ƒ–‹‘Â?• •—…Š ĥ …‘Â?Â?—Â?‹–› …‡Â?–”‡• ™Š‡”‡ ‹Â?‰ƒ’‘”‡ƒÂ?• ™‹ŽŽ „‡ ‹Â?˜‹–‡† to attend workshops. Š‹Ž‡ Â?‹ŽŽ• —–—”‡ Šƒ• ƒ…Š‹‡˜‡† ™‹†‡”

A

”‡…‘‰Â?‹–‹‘Â?ÇĄ –Š‡”‡ ‹• ƒ †‹ƥ‡”‡Â?…‡ „‡–™‡‡Â? a person’s lack of desire to learn, and not knowing what to learn, he pointed out. Â?‹ŽŽ• —–—”‡ †˜‹…‡ ™‹ŽŽ ƒ††”‡•• –Š‹• ƒÂ?† DzŠ‡Ž’ ’‡‘’Ž‡ ƤÂ?† –Š‡‹” …‘Â?’ƒ•• ƒÂ?† ‰‘ ˆ‘” their training,â€? said Mr Ong. There will be personalised assessments –‘ Š‡Ž’ –Š‡Â? †‹•…‘˜‡” –Š‡‹” •–”‡Â?‰–Š• ƒÂ?† career paths, and the kind of skills they lack –‘ ƒ…Š‹‡˜‡ –Š‡‹” ‰‘ƒŽ•Ǥ Dz ‡ ™‹ŽŽ –Š‡Â? ‹Â?˜‹–‡ –Š‡Â? –‘ –Š‡ Â?‹ŽŽ• —–—”‡ ’‘”–ƒŽ –‘ ƤÂ?† ‘—– ™Šƒ– …‘—”•‡• will be suitable for them to enable them to †‡˜‡Ž‘’ –Š‡‹” ’‘–‡Â?Â–Â‹ÂƒÂŽÇĄÇł Š‡ ‡š’Žƒ‹Â?‡†Ǥ

Don’t give up your passions He also expressed concern that Singaporeans may forsake their passion and aptitude for things that they want to do and learn ȇ for the sake of academic Â“Â—ÂƒÂŽÂ‹Ć¤Â…ÂƒÂ–Â‹Â‘Â?•Ǥ

Participants say insights from the SkillsFuture dialogue will be useful when they interact with residents.

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September 2017

“I want to challenge and persuade ‹Â?‰ƒ’‘”‡ƒÂ?• Â?‘– –‘ ‰‹˜‡ —’ –Š‡‹” passions so quickly because we will build ’ƒ–Š™ƒ›• ˆ‘” ›‘— –‘ ‹Â?Â’Â”Â‘Â˜Â‡ÇĄ „‡›‘Â?† ›‘—” ’‘Ž›–‡…ŠÂ?‹… ‘” ‘”

Â“Â—ÂƒÂŽÂ‹Ć¤Â…ÂƒÂ–Â‹Â‘Â?•Ǥ “If your passion is in digital animation, †‘Â?ǯ– …Šƒ•‡ –Š‡ Â’ÂƒÂ’Â‡Â”Ç˘ „—‹Ž† ›‘—” ’‘”–ˆ‘Ž‹‘Ǥ ÂŠÂƒÂ–ÇŻÂ• ™Šƒ– ™‹ŽŽ Â?ƒÂ?‡ ›‘— „‡––‡”Ǣ Â–ÂŠÂƒÂ–ÇŻÂ• what will make the big companies hire you. SkillsFuture’s core message is about your passion and pursuing it, ƒÂ?† –Š‡ ‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?–ǯ• ”‘Ž‡ ‹• –‘ „—‹Ž† the mechanism for you to progress,â€? emphasised Mr Ong. One of the dialogue participants, Mr ƒ˜‹† ‘Š ‘ˆ ‡ƒ– ‘Â?‰ „”ƒÂ?…Šǥ Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇŁ Dz Š‡ †‹ƒŽ‘‰—‡ ‰ƒ˜‡ —• ƒ Â?ÂƒÂ…Â”Â‘ÇŚÂ˜Â‹Â‡Â™ ‘ˆ Š‘™ –Š‡ ‰‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?–ǯ• ‡ƥ‘”–• –‘ ‡Â?’Šƒ•‹•‡ •Â?‹ŽŽ• ˆ‘” the future are tied intimately to the future ‘ˆ –Š‡ …‘—Â?–”›ǥ ™Š‹…Š Â?—•– •—”˜‹˜‡ ‹Â? ‰Ž‘„ƒŽ competition.â€? ” ‘Â?‰ — Š—ƒÂ?ÇĄ ™Š‘ Šƒ• ƒ––‡Â?†‡† three PPF forums so far, found Mr Ong’s ‹Â?•‹‰Š–• –‘ „‡ Ç˛Â˜Â‡Â”Â› ÂŠÂ‡ÂŽÂ’ÂˆÂ—ÂŽÇłÇ¤ Š‡ ƒ…–‹˜‹•– ˆ”‘Â? Â?‰ ‘ ‹‘ „”ƒÂ?…Š Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇŁ Dz Â‘Â†ÂƒÂ›ÇŻÂ• ‡˜‡Â?– ™ƒ• ˜‡”› …‘Â?’”‡Š‡Â?•‹˜‡ ƒÂ?† insightful. All these will be useful when we interact with the residents.â€? • ˜‘Â?Â?‡ ƒÂ?‰ ‘ˆ Â?‰ ‘ ‹‘nj ‘—‰ƒÂ?‰ „”ƒÂ?…Š ÂƒÂ†Â†Â‡Â†ÇŁ Dz ‹Â?‹•–‡” Â?‰ ‰ƒ˜‡ Â?‹ŽŽ• —–—”‡ Â?‡™ Â?‡ƒÂ?‹Â?‰ ™Š‡Â? Š‡ said its essence is about one’s passion and how one would naturally want to learn more about one’s passion and to excel in it.â€?

BACKBENCHER'S BITE

Bridging Across Generations r Saktiandi bin Supaat, or Andi to his family and Toa Payoh Ǧ ȋ Ȍ ǡ began his community work in school Ǥ

ȋ ȌǤ became president of AMP’s youth wing and Ǧ Ǥ The father of three school-going children is also a former school rugby player who

contributes back to train the team. Hence,

and economic capital are not lost.

M

Ҟ Getting youths to contribute

Ҡ Hot meals and care for the elderly

To promote a collaborative spirit, we encourage our very own hawkers to be involved in the Hot Meals programme for senior residents. The hawkers provide the meals and they are paid for by vouchers. .TQ 'NS ,D@KR OQNFQ@LLD HR CHƤDQDMS EQNL NSGDQR HM SG@S VD DMBNTQ@FD NTQ DKCDQKX QDRHCDMSR to go to the hawker centre, interact with others and exercise before the meals. For those who are home-bound and immobile, we deliver the meals to them. We found the elderly who were receiving food at home, tended to store them in the freezer for long periods of time while those VGN KHUD @KNMD OQDEDQQDC SN RS@X HM SGDHQ Ʀ@S @MC MNS RNBH@KHRD

ҡ Matching SMEs with TEN residents

The SMEs in TEN and the wider Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC are a rich source to tap for jobs.

Besides government job matching initiatives, we intend to actively explore SME sectors in TEN and SGDM VNQJ VHSG HMSDQDRSDC QDRHCDMSR SN ƥS SGDL in, where possible.

People fascinate me and I try to make it a point to engage them. Inter-generational interaction is important because it strengthens our community amid modern day challenges. So, VHSGHM 3$- ( OTS HM DƤNQS SN FDS SGD XNTSGR SN BNMSQHATSD A@BJ SN the community by helping kids from needy families.

I get them to help those with single-parent families. This, I hope, will also imbue in them the moral value of a family unit.

When they have families of their own, they will treasure it. .SGDQVHRD SGD JHCR VNTKC RTƤDQ Our constituency’s tagline is a Caring, Vibrant and Inclusive TEN.

ҟ Help initiatives

We started the Quick Action Aid (QAA) programme for the disadvantaged. From my home visits, we realised that many families face shortterm hardship triggered by the sudden loss of a sole breadwinner, either through death or other reasons. The QAA team works with the family to OQNUHCD ƥM@MBH@K @MC ORXBGNKNFHB@K @RRHRS@MBD @MC guidance on how to get temporary holistic support until the government agencies step in. Such families need good socio-economic support.

We ensure their children do not lose out on opportunities in life. After school hours, we give them a place to go to study and be protected from bad company. They can go to the community and residents’ centres for classes, as part of the Caring & Inclusive TEN approach.

Working with corporate partners, we have started the Future Leaders in the Making initiative, NƤDQHMF VNQJRGNOR NM ,HBQN AHS OQNFQ@LLHMF skills to instill a love for technology. It also imparts leadership and motivational qualities. This has borne fruit as the kids have helped to create a Micro-bit water sensor for the community gardens.

We hope to further expand this programme.

Ң Making the Community future ready

I also see utmost importance for Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnic youths to seize opportunities amid a changing economic landscape.

I have been meeting small groups of ITE students regularly as part of Mendaki’s Future Ready initiative, and is also currently focusing on some of the ITE students in my constituency.

WHO: Saktiandi bin Supaat, Member of Parliament for Toa Payoh East-Novena (TEN) and vice-chairman of Bishan-Toa /@XNG 3NVM "NTMBHK ^ 'D became the ward’s MP after GE2015. A former central bank economist at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, he is currently the executive vice president and head of FX Research and Strategy at Maybank Group.

WHERE: Kim Keat Palm market & food centre at Lorong 7, Toa Payoh.

ON THE MENU: Nasi padang and grass jelly drink.

September 2017

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BACKBENCHER'S BITE

BY JANE NG

W

ǡ

surprised that it was not to ask for help but to ơ Ǥ ǡ ƪ Ǧ ǡ said his family wanted to help WHO: Melvin Yong, MP for Tanjong Pagar residents in the rental block but did GRC. He entered politics not know how to. in September 2015 and is Director (Tripartism)

and Director (Workplace making up 80 per cent of his ward, Mr Safety & Health) at the National Trades Union Yong said many of his residents are Congress (NTUC).

WHERE: Pek Kio Market ǡ Ƥ Ǥ & Food Centre at Cambridge Road. ǡ to be the link between residents who ON THE MENU: Carrot cake and Teh-C.

who need help.

The People Connector Ҟ Gift of bread and other support

We have started community self-help programmes to support those with lower income. For example, Five Loaves is a free bread initiative launched on August 5 this year, where we encourage community organisations and individuals to sponsor bread at a discounted price from a local bakery. We managed to raise more than 18,000 loaves of bread in a single night! Families on social assistance can simply walk into the bakery and pick up a free loaf of bread. ( ƥMC SG@S @ S@QFDSDC @OOQN@BG HR LNQD DƤDBSHUD HM GDKOHMF KNV income families. For example, instead of giving them general food donations, I decided to bring the supermarket to them. Last year, we worked with vendors to give us items on consignment and set up a makeshift supermarket at the void deck. Families were given credits to “buy” what they needed.

ҟ Community lookout

Looking out for one another is something I strongly encourage in our neighbourhood. I pay special attention to senior citizens living alone. We set up a Befrienders Programme where our grassroots leaders and fellow neighbours help to check on seniors living alone in their block. This ensures that should something happen to them, we are able to know as soon as possible.

We also connected with various exercise groups in the community to get them to informally check on one another should someone fail to turn up for their daily exercise.

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September 2017

Ҡ Credit to good teammates

With three community centres under my care and several portfolios in NTUC, the only way I can juggle it all is having good teammates. I also have a hardworking team in the town council, very experienced grassroots leaders and highly committed branch activists.

ҡ Ground up efforts to champion workers

As a labour MP, I am looking at reducing workplace fatalities and serious injuries; in particular, how to help injured workers get back to work.

We hope to set up a comprehensive case management system that brings together the injured worker, his employer and the medical team, including the physiotherapist. We want to help every injured worker recover quickly and get back on his feet again.

I visit a worksite every week to talk to both workers and employers. It allows me to better understand the issues on the ground. When I heard that bus drivers were being penalised for breaking the side mirrors of the bus, I visited the depot at 4 am and saw that not all the drivers were familiar with manoeuvring the bus inside the automated washing machine.

3NC@X SGDX G@UD HMRS@KKDC SQ@ƧB KHFGSR SN FTHCD the drivers in moving the bus through the washing machine. As a result, mirrors are no longer broken.

Ground visits can impact change.