THIS IS the PAP’s promise to all Singaporeans. No matter where you live, our government will improve your life.
The new Buangkok Community Centre (CC), with its study spaces and over 70 enrichment programmes, is testament to the fact. Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong was at its official opening in the heart of Sengkang on 28th July, alongside some 2,000 residents and Sengkang GRC Branch Chairs (and familiar faces to residents) Dr Elmie Nekmat, Dr Lam Pin Min and Theodora Lai.
“When we first unveiled the plans for Buangkok CC within this integrated development, it was then in a government constituency. But even after Sengkang GRC changed hands in the last General Election, we proceeded with the CC’s construction works because the Government is committed to improving the lives of every Singaporean, whichever ward you may be living in,” said SM Lee, stating our PAP Government’s inclusive stance.
“I have every confidence that your Grassroots Advisers in Sengkang GRC — Elmie, Pin Min, and Theodora — will continue to do their best to carry out their duties, just as Thiam Poh, Teo Ser Luck and Koh Juay Meng did before them,” added SM Lee. “They will have the Government’s full backing.
Source: MDDI, Elmie Nekmat / Facebook
Indeed, BCs Elmie Nekmat, Lam Pin Min and Theodora Lai are constant presences in the ward.
BC Lam has long championed the hearty hawker fare and the hardworking stallowners of Sengkang West alongside Miss Tam Chiak. BC Lai spent a recent weekend (21 Jul) distributing fresh organic vegetables to Sengkang residents.
BC Elmie has reached out to residents to join events like Seniors Go Shopping and block parties for families — and to participate in making the programmes at the Buangkok CC even better.
“Sengkang residents, do come forward to the CC to enjoy the facilities and partake in the many courses and activities provided. Give your feedback and suggestions to co-create and make Buangkok CC a place that is truly — A Place for All, Where Ideas Come Alive,” said BC Elmie (30 Jul).
And when that citizen feedback comes in, BC Elmie and his team will listen. Like their recent TikTok video clearly shows, Team PAP in Sengkang will always be there for residents, come rain or shine.
The Home Improvement Programme expands to 53,000 more flats
The expansion of the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) is another example of our Government’s inclusive commitment to all Singaporeans.
Another 53,000 older flats have been included in the programme, said the Housing and Development Board (HDB). These flats span 16 neighbourhoods — Hougang, Serangoon, Ang Mo Kio, Toa Payoh, Choa Chu Kang, Bedok, Bukit Panjang, Kallang, Bukit Batok, Geylang, Woodlands, Pasir Ris, Sengkang, Tampines, Queenstown and Jurong West.
“To keep our neighbourhoods thriving, our physical environment must keep pace. This is why the Government continually upgrades our older flats and our estates so that Singaporeans can continue to enjoy a quality home and living environment,” said Minister for National Development Desmond Lee.
Source: Desmond Lee / Facebook
About 410,000 other flats are already in the HIP, which has cost the Government $4 billion so far. Our Government has set aside an additional $742 million for this new round.
Here, our Government fully bears the cost of essential improvements to flats under the HIP. These essentials include repairing spalling concrete, new waste discharge stacks, replacing pipe sockets with clothes drying racks and upgrading the flat’s overall electrical load.
There are also optional improvements within the HIP, like bathroom upgrades, a new timber front door and metal gate, and a new refuse chute hopper. After Government subsidies, flat owners will only need to pay 5 to 12.5 per cent for these improvements.
Source: HDB
Meanwhile, the prices for private homes are moderating. This is thanks to cooling measures from our Government like an increased additional buyer’s stamp duty as well as releasing more land for building these private homes.
All these concrete actions — the community centre in an Opposition-held ward, Sengkang BC addressing the needs of their residents, the nearly $5 billion HIP for 463,000 households and the difference-making measures for private home buyers — are PAP hallmarks.
Wherever you live in Singapore and whatever your concerns, we will take care of you and (to paraphrase BC Elmie) make Singapore a place for all.
