Member of Parliament for Chua Chu Kang GRC Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim said his experience as a litigator taught him that there are alternative solutions to resolve issues. He brings this mindset, and the determination and tenacity in winning lawsuits for clients to helping his residents.
“Nearly two decades as a litigator teaches you that there are always other means, other solutions, other ways of presenting arguments, and approaches to thinking (through problems),” he said. “You must be humble enough to know that you don’t have all the solutions. You need a good team behind you. We go to the ground, knock on doors, and get residents to give us input directly.”
In an exclusive interview with Petir, Mr Zhulkarnain, a senior partner at Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP, said his team does not wait for solutions but develops interim solutions to address the problems residents face.
He cited the need for more food options in Keat Hong as one of the most common issues residents raised. His team conducted a survey when he became the MP there. This prompted the team to launch new initiatives like free breakfast distributions, temporary pop-up eateries, interim shuttle service connecting to other eateries within the estate, and hot food vending machine cafes around Keat Hong.
Mr Zhulkarnain said: “A new hawker centre will be built at Choa Chu Kang Central. There will be eateries nearby at the new SAFRA clubhouse. Sunshine Place has also reopened after renovations with new eateries. For our next upcoming project, we raised funds ourselves to construct a hard court near the field beside Concord Primary School. We will seek approval to host events and for additional eateries. Keat Hong Park will be revitalised with plans for a café and a dog run. The upcoming Jurong Regional Line MRT line and MRT station will bring more shops to the area. Improvements are currently underway.”
Zhulkarnain designed a way finder to help visitors locate the units on segmented floors
Mr Zhulkarnain noted another longstanding issue residents in his constituency face: units in segmented blocks which do not have direct lift access. He explained that in Singapore, 150 housing blocks are segmented, with 20 per cent of them in Keat Hong. Since becoming MP, he has raised this issue in Parliament several times and worked with his team to find alternative solutions to ease the inconvenience his residents face.
He added Chua Chu Kang Town Council provides a free stair climber service for residents with mobility issues requiring to go for medical appointments. Residents can pre-book, and staff help transport them to the nearest lift landing when leaving and returning from their appointments.
He also described how he and his team designed visual guides called way finders to help visitors, especially delivery workers, locate units on segmented floors without direct lift access.
“HDB has solutions at the policy level but on the ground, we come up with solutions like stair climbers and way finders. As a party of action, we must show residents that we are doing our best and we don’t give up.”
“As a litigator, when you are an officer of the court, you present facts and arguments honestly. I bring the same energy, grit and determination to helping residents. Some residents say: ‘I know you tried, and I appreciate it’,” he said. “To me, it’s not just about the outcome of the appeals, but the process matters. Making sure residents know that we are working for them, and they are part of the process to get the solutions. We can do it on our own, and not involve the people around us, but then we are not maximising our fullest potential.”
Mr Zhulkarnain wants to make Keat Hong a constituency with connectivity and connections. He said Keat Hong will be the hub for various things. There will soon be a new integrated transport hub, a new hawker centre, and spaces for residents of all ages to gather and interact. He also hopes to foster a community spirit where residents look out for one other.
“In Chua Chu Kang, we have a tag line ‘love where we live’. How do residents do that? It is by showing our care and love by looking out for one another, be part of our initiatives, part of our activist movements, and getting involved with the community. Take action with us.”
Every year, Chua Chu Kang GRC organises a calendar competition featuring photos taken by residents of different parts of Chua Chu Kang which residents have never seen before. Many do not realise that the countryside and farms in Lim Chu Kang, Kranji and Neo Tiew are part of Keat Hong. Mr Zhulkarnain said residents look forward to receiving the calendars.
“Which constituency has a countryside in its backyard? My residents visit and enjoy the farms too,” he said. “Every estate has its own beauty. We must take the time to cherish what we have and make sure we continue to improve it.”
