In Pictures – National Day in the Heartlands  

08/08/2023

Way ahead of 9 Aug, National Day festivities have already begun in our heartlands. Here is a quick look at what our MPs have been up to as they join their residents for a weekend of fun, games and fireworks in celebration of Singapore’s 58th birthday. 

GetActive! Singapore Heartland Festival 

More than 7,000 residents of the Central Singapore District got together to celebrate National Day at the Toa Payoh Sports Centre, shared MP Mr Eric Chua (Tanjong Pagar GRC). With such a big turnout, it is no wonder MPs from Ang Mo Kio, Marymount, and Bishan-Toa Payoh have also turned up in full force to share in the joy and connect with residents.  

Jumping straight into keeping active at the GetActive! Singapore Heartland Festival, MPs Mr Melvin Yong (Radin Mas SMC), Ms Ng Ling Ling (Ang Mo Kio GRC) and Mr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC) are taking this opportunity to show off their athletic prowess in table tennis, capteh and knocking down tin cans with Hawkeye accuracy.  

We have timed the fireworks across all five Heartland Festival sites to set off at the same time, said Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong. With National Day celebrations being somewhat muted for the past three years, heartland festivals are one of the ways to allow as many Singaporeans as possible to participate in this joyous occasion.  

Pledge-taking and an aerobic dance

At Bukit Canberra, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung might have turned the National Day Observance Ceremony into a healthy day out. Where besides reciting the Pledge and singing Majulah Singapura, Minister Ong and Sembawang GRC MPs Ms Poh Li San, Ms Mariam Jaafar and Mr Vikram Nair also took part in a brisk walk and mass aerobics session with residents.   

Nation-building and Chinese pop songs 

Who would have thought that a Chinese pop song from the 90s would end up telling the Singapore journey through Covid-19? Quoting the lyrics of “Sunshine after the Rain (阳光总在风雨后)” by local singer Mavis Hee, Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng (Marine Parade GRC) shared that even though Singapore has been through tough times in recent years, the unity and support of fellow Singaporeans will be the glue that ensures we will always see the sunshine after the rain. 

Flag distribution and heartfelt conversations  

Together with Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Lawrence Wong, MPs Mr Alex Yam, Mr Zaqy Mohamad and Ms Hany Soh of Marsiling–Yew Tee GRC were out and about, handing out flags and spreading National Day cheer. Judging from the smiles of Marsiling residents, it must have been a fruitful outing. 

Rocking up the West Coast with Tomorrowland-vibes 

“The atmosphere was electric!”, shared Minister for National Development Desmond Lee (West Coast GRC) about the ecstatic crowd singing along with Singapore bands Supersonic, Shirlyn and the UnXpected and 53A. Under the fireworks and the fluorescent lights of glow sticks, who would have thought a concert in our heartlands could pull off serious Tomorrowland vibes? 

Photo Source: Eric Chua/ Melvin Yong/ Ng Ling Ling/ Saktiandi Supaat/ Lee Hsien Loong/ Vikram Nair/ Alex Yam/ Zaqy Mohamad/ Desmond Lee/ Tan See Leng via Facebook