A resident who converted his garden into a mini farm, a youth who became a semi-professional footballer, and a business owner running a laundromat in a condo.
MP for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC Valerie Lee celebrates her constituency’s diverse residents on Instagram, highlighting their unique talents and passions.
Followers of Ms Lee’s Instagram channel will be familiar with two distinct series: “Valee Nice to Meet You”, showcasing residents and business owners, and “Valee Sedap” (sedap meaning “delicious” in Malay), which features local culinary delights and the people who create them.
In an interview with Petir, the Member of Parliament overseeing Changi division said that during her walkabouts and house visits, she engages with residents and business owners to learn from their unique perspectives, noting that each person “has a story that reflects dedication and heart.”
“I want to spotlight the people who make Changi special—residents and business owners who’ve built their lives here and contribute in their own ways,” said Ms Lee. “By sharing their stories, I hope to celebrate the diverse interests, talents, and passions within our community—from those who turn hobbies into meaningful pursuits to individuals preserving the heritage and traditions that give our community its distinctive character.”
Changi has so much good food with real heart and history.
Ms Lee explained that “Valee Sedap” series was inspired by her personal passion for food—not just its flavours, but also the origins and people behind each dish.
“Changi has so much good food with real heart and history. I want to highlight the cooks, restaurant owners, and hawkers who pour their soul into what they do,” she said.
“Through this series, I hope to promote their businesses and share their stories with a wider audience across Singapore. It’s my own little way of contributing to their success.”
Ms Lee said that residents, especially her volunteers, often share excellent food recommendations along with the fascinating stories behind each eatery. One example was the episode featuring Tekong Seafood Restaurant at Changi Village, which was showcased during this year’s National Day Parade.
Ms Lee noted that the Valee series has become her more popular content. Residents and friends said they enjoyed the stories. This is especially meaningful to Ms Lee beyond the online engagement.
“Many of the featured residents and business owners were thankful for the spotlight on their work. It was heartening to see how they organically shared the videos within their own networks,” she said.
The Valee series are produced by a group of passionate youth volunteers led by Ms Lee. Despite not being professionals, these volunteers “share her enthusiasm for telling meaningful stories about our community,” she explained.
While she helps provide some direction for the videos, these young volunteers “typically incorporate their own creative touches to bring each story to life in their unique way,” Ms Lee said.
Ms Lee has more stories of Changi residents to tell, but finding the time, and fitting in to residents’ schedules are a challenge.
“Through this journey, I’ve learnt that everyone has a story worth telling,” she emphasised. “The more I meet our residents, the more I am inspired by their creativity, resilience, and heart.”
“It has been a truly humbling experience, and it reminds me how important it is to stay connected, listen, and celebrate the diverse individuals who make Changi and Singapore home.”
| A laundromat where you can win a Labubu! |
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 Valerie Lee with Kenny Tan from The Good Husband Laundromats & Drycleaners What can you do to while away the time waiting for your laundry to be done? At a laundromat in Changi, you can try your hand winning a labubu toy at a claw machine, or enjoy a hot matcha latte! Located at Komo Shoppes in Changi, this laundromat comes with a lounge where visitors can enjoy drinks from vending machines or relax with massage chairs and claw machines. The facility even offers helmet and shoes cleaning services. Ms Lee interviewed Kenny Tan, the owner about why he chose Changi for his first shop. “My vision is for The Good Husband to be a multi-faceted community space because this area solely lacks a laundromat, and I think the community will benefit a lot from it,” he explained. Curious about why Kenny Tan named his business “The Good Husband”? Discover the story in Ms Lee’s latest episode of Valee Nice to Meet You. |
