For 14 years, Member of Parliament Baey Yam Keng has engaged with Tampines North residents at a local coffee shop every month, discussing national policies and addressing their concerns over coffee. As he transfers to another division, Mr Baey held his final KopiTalk session on May 17.
His Tampines colleague, MP David Neo will take over from Mr Baey. Mr Neo told Lianhe Zaobao that he will continue the existing community programmes, including the KopiTalk engagement sessions, in the coming year to cater to residents’ needs.
Mr Baey will oversee the newly formed Tampines Boulevard division from June. This follows discussions among Tampines GRC MPs to determine the internal boundaries of the group representative constituency. He is also the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment, and Transport.
During the 146th KopiTalk session on Saturday, Mr Baey shared that this engagement programme started way back when he first started as an MP at Queenstown 19 years ago.
He emphasized that these engagement sessions were not merely opportunities to deliver speeches or make promises, but rather, a platform to understand and address residents’ concerns.
“It’s about solving your problems, giving answers. Even [when] sometimes the answer might be a ‘no’, we have no solution, but in the process, if we can create a better understanding within the community, that is something I’m happy to contribute.”
Mr Baey thanked residents for their patience and for working with him to improve their living environments and make their lives better.
He also assured residents he would remain accessible through his social media platforms and email as an MP for Tampines GRC and Chairman of Tampines Town Council.
Mr Baey also said he intends to give Mr Neo the space to build relationships with residents and allow them to get to know Mr Neo better.
A resident shared how Mr Baey had changed her perception of the PAP
During the KopiTalk, a resident shared how Mr Baey had changed her perception of the PAP government. She recounted that during the Covid-19 pandemic, when her son was stranded in China, she sought Mr Baey’s help. Eventually, her son managed to board the plane arranged by the government for Singaporeans to return home.
Another resident commended Mr Baey for resolving the issue of long bus wait times by increasing service frequency. That reduced the wait by 15 minutes. Mr Baey explained that implementing such changes requires time and resources and asked for residents’ continued trust and patience.
A resident shared that Mr Baey had been an integral part of his, and his parents’ lives in Tampines North. The resident has since grown up and moved to a new flat in Tampines Boulevard, which has a significant number of new BTO estates. He said that Mr Baey will continue to be part of his and his children’s lives.
Responding appreciatively, Mr Baey said: “I thank you for the way you put it. So, I’m not leaving you. I’m going to take care of your children and grandchildren.”
