Honouring Parents

Changi Simei, Singapore, 29 May 2010

Honouring parents? That was the objective of Zone 3 Residents’ Committee on 29 May 2010 to honour parents, a two in one celebration combining Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day. It was an excellent idea where fathers and mothers came together to celebrate with their children. It was also part of the family festival of “connecting hearts and connecting families”.

 

 

The day began with a karaoke session in the afternoon where parents could sing to their heart content at the void deck besides the RC Centre. To cater to the need of other residents who may require quite time, the volume of the karaoke was lowered though not muted. The singing session went well with many queueing patiently for their turn to take the microphone. At the end of the day, every one had a shot at the microphone to belt out their favourites.

 

  

In the evening, the celebration started. I was invited to attend the celebration. I arrived at about 7.30 pm. although I was requested to arrive at 8.30 pm. By arriving early, though I might dislocate the organiser in their time management but the purpose is to join in the celebration with parents. The programme include a demonstration of “cooking pots” which have multi functions like baking pizza and cakes, steam and cook various dishes at the same time. Imagine baking pizza and cakes in pots in an unconventional way instead of in an oven.

 

As I am not a food critic, I have no idea on whether pizza bakes in pot or in oven taste better. Nonetheless, those who savoured the sample of pizza expressed satisfaction over the pizza. They thought the food tasted good. I did not try the sample food to keep my stomach clear as I was preparing for the Sundown Marathon later in the evening.

 

Besides the karaoke, the nasi lemak catered for dinner, parents also received a rose and a mug. It was a kind gesture of the RC to appreciate parents for the years of bringing up their children and teaching them values.  Values are the cornerstone of our being as they are our personal governance in our lives.

   

 

There was a mass dance to the music with parents and children joining in. It was a sight where people enjoyed themselves.  I think the mass participation is perfect to let down hairs at least for the few minutes. otherwise, the event would be boring. There was also a pistol shoot to test our marksmanship skills. Well, it seemed easy standing at close range to shoot at targets, but the result may not be what we desired. I missed many shots and I thought, the toy pistol is not zeroed to my eye.  

 

For the young, besides the games, there were also pre-occupied with designing their photo frame decoration competition. In essence, they brought their favourite photographs while the organiser provided the frame for them to decorate. Three prizes were awarded for the children’s creativeness.

 

 

For the children to pen their thoughts and well wishes for their parents, heart shape size cuttings were posted on the white board. Many took the opportunity to express themselves on the heart shape cuttings. Nonetheless, it was the act of penning down these messages from the heart that matters most to show their appreciation to their parents and grandparents for their years of upbringing.  Though bringing up children seems to be a simple, in reality, it is not an easy one considering the needs to impart values, the span of attention, education etc when they are at a young age. But the satisfaction of being a parents overcomes all the challenges to see their children develop and grow.    

 

I have the honoured to draw the lucky draw. Instead of drawing from a container, this time round, lucky numbers are written behind the heart shape size cutting. 

 

 

 

Much efforts and time were expended to organise the event. The RC volunteers deserved the acknowledgment for a job well done.

 

What’s New and What’s old??

Changi Simei, Singapore, 27 May 2010

These days, I can it hard to imagine that I am game to try on any thing that is new.  I dress to the events’  themes, doing things as though I am still in the teenage years, run marathons which I don’t in my younger days, being on a  roller coaster overseas (South Korea, roller coaster propped up with wooden structure) where senior folks shun, abseil  from a height where many may fear o danger, vertical run, in-line skating, ice skating etc. But one sports which will I cannot join in is perhaps swimming.

It is not that I am afraid of water, I did canoeing, sailing, dinghy but some how, I don’t have the fins and gills like a fish to swim in the water in style but I can submerge like a submarine but not for long. I think, every one has their own limitation, otherwise, I will have join the Navy to see the world. Then, it will be I can walk, swim and fly…not like a bird but in a plane.

This is how I looked like this evening when attending a celebration with the theme, “retro” night ie in the 70s. I think during that period, we dressed in” turtle neck’, tight shirt with long collars and in bell bottom, the bigger bell the more “stylo milo”. For the gentleman, we comb our hair with a “curry puff” in front and for the lady, short skit with a corresponding coloured hairband. For today’s dressing and hair styles, we tend to emulate those “stars” like actors, actresses, pop singers etc who set the pace and following them is being trendy and modern outlook. That too costs substantially in monetary wise.  For the occasion, a turtle neck shirt and a black jacket will do with a borrowed hair setting.

“A Go Go” was the rock dance of the day as moon walk, break dance, line dance and what other modern dances were alien to my generation of people. That’s the way of life in that period.

Tonight, I joined my colleagues in the retro theme to have fun. Our music were a bit oldies but it soothed us. They are unlike today’s music which only my children enjoy them. To me they are loud noises but they are previous collections to my children.

Just one generation and there is alway this gulf of differences. Well, to each his own, to live and let live.

Community Events on 22 May 2010…..

Changi Simei, Singapore, 23 May 2010

 

On 22 May 2010, I attended three events together with our MP, Ms Jessica Tan.

 

Our 1st stop at 10 am was at Simei Care Centre (SCC). SCC is a purpose-built psychiatric rehabilitation centre. Psychiatric disability refers to a wide range of mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and many others which may significantly impair a person’s performance in his routines. These routines like learning, thinking, communicating and sleeping may seem easy to us, but for them, it is a challenge. The mental disability ranges from serious to those recovering. To help those recovering, SCC provides programmes to reintegrate them into the society by providing vocational training, in-house job placement etc. 

 

Last year SCC organised 2 Flea Markets in May and Dec 2009. Both were very successful attracting more than 1000 people thus creating opportunities for integration and interaction between clients in the SCC and to the community, to create an awareness to understand those are mentally impaired better. For this year, in addition to the Flea Market, South East Community Development Council pitched in with a Job Fair to help the general public who may need to seek employment. Mayor of SE District, Mr Matthias Yao was the GOH and Ms Jessica Tan was the special guest. Archbishop, Dr John Chew was also present to give support to the Flea Market.  

  

I saw many volunteers and students volunteering their service to help out in the Flea Market. Two groups of students approached me and I bought a drink and a book which was produced by clients in SCC through the social enterprise network. I have done my part by being present to give encouragement.

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The next stop was at METTA Welfare Association at Simei which hosted the East Coast GRC’s Inter Racial Confidence Circle (IRCC) Workshop. The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Community Development and Youths and Sports which overseas these organisations.

  

Learning from the racial riots in 1964 and the experience of others countries where race and religion are potential fault lines, the government decided to set up an organisation at the grassroots level to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures, races and religion among the different ethnic communities. The IRCC has been around since the 1960s using various names. The latest name IRCCs was commissioned in 2002 after the American 911. In essence, IRCC is a local level inter-faith platform formed in every constituency and its works are instrumental in strengthening social cohesion through the building of trust and foster friendships and during crisis, the IRCC is the key links to disseminate information, soothe and minimise communal tension. Members of the IRCC are volunteers drawn from all walks of life. They included religious leaders of the different faiths, business people, public servants, grassroots leaders and many other volunteers. 

 

During the workshop, these IRCCs from the different constituencies were given a similar scenario which was closed to our heart. Members of the IRCC brainstormed, planned and mapped out their action plans to respond to such scenario in the most effective and yet efficient manner. Members of the IRCC were enthusiastic and soon, they had their response plan ready. The different IRCCs shared their experience to reduce learning curve. There was no right and wrong answer as the thought process of individual were unique to them. 

 

Besides mapping out the required tasks, this workshop included a community mediation exercise. Members of IRCC were appointed as mediators while 2 staff from the Ministry played the complainant and the subject of the complainant. It was eye opener for those who acted as “community mediator” as the “complainant was sharp, glib and self-centred bombarding these “community mediator”. In addition, a couple of IRCC members were earmarked to represent their group to give  a mock-up media interview on the given scenario earlier. I was surprised that these members appeared calm when facing the live camera. My assessment is that our IRCC is ready to assist if call upon.

   

Nonetheless, we cannot take peace and harmony for granted and we should by all means defend social harmony and bonding.

 

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The final station was the 5 km fun run organised under the Community Sports Festival.  The 5 km fun run was held in conjunction with the 25 km PAssion run. Senior Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong was the GOH accompanied by a couple of MPs. Our Ms Jessica Tan was one of them.

 

Last year, I ran the 15 km PAssion run and would have run the 25 km had I not recovering from flu and also felt weak physically. As age is catching up with me, I need to take all the necessary precautions thus I skipped running for the last 5 weeks. with the long absence, I could only afford the fun run. I ran slowly and took 34 minutes to complete the distance, a far cry from the about 25 minutes standard. 

 

At the end of the run, I felt happy that I had completed despite the poor timing. Though I may not be as fit as a couple of weeks ago, I believe that a few more runs will get me in shape again.

 

I have registered for the Sundown Marathon. To run or not to run is still a mystery as it will depend on my physical condition in the next one week. Even if I am running the Sundown, I will most probably be going very slow, the aim is to complete and not the timing for this Sundown.

 

                          

Our Simei Plaza

Simei Plaza? Where is it located? A new shopping mall to complement existing shopping mall in Simei estate? 

It may not be a new shopping mall at Simei but a rejunventated shopping area at Blk 248, our own “town centre”.

For the last 20 years, mimimal works were being carried out at Blk 248. It was not a case of neglecting the need of shop tenants but a case to prioritise and optimise scarce financial resources. Therefore, a 5 years town master was put forth to prioritise the scarce financial resources available to the Changi Simei Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC). The other approach adopted by the CCC was instead of spreading the budget thin and every zone get something done and in the end unable to satisfy everyone, the CCC decided to focus on the upgrading of an entire area. The covered linkway project at Blk 155 to Blk 165 was one such example and if you have noticed, all linkways are of a standard design. BlK 248 was another example of a complete project.     

       Blk 248 now

For Blk 248 upgrading to succeed, grassroots leaders, the merchants and our East Coast Town Council sat to discuss the way ahead in a consultative approach. We took a bold step to reclaim unusable space created by decorative walls between the HDB shop houses and the MRT station. With the removal of decorative walls, we created an open space for vibrancy and facilitate movement of people. We also decided to brand the open space as Simei Plaza where activities could be organised, for example the emergency exercise we organised in December 2009.  There are potentials for more activities to be organised at the Simei Plaza to create vibrancy at the area.

The upgrading of Blk 248 was not without detractors. One resident wrote to the CCC suggesting that since  “nothing was broken at Blk 248”, why upgrade and we should be prudent. We were fortunate that there were many others who expressed support on the upgrading initiative and even suggesting how to make the area for maximum optimisation for the benefit of residents.  

With these encouragement, we added additional bicycle parking racks at the gable end of Blk 242 (extreme left photo below)  and along the covered link way at Blk 242 (centre photo below and right photo with new racks). However, the demand always exceed supply and I guessed self-regulation of bicycles parking by cyclists was the best approach  

                

You have noticed that your walk along Blk 242 is now more pleasant than before and residents living at the ground floor also have more privacy. This is contrary to the earlier situation of unsolicited peeping into their homes when residents walked across their main doors.   

An upgraded Blk 248 area may just be cosmetic and we opt for a holistic plan for the area. The grassroots leaders, Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Town Council met to map out the plan like the provision for a 39 metres sheltered walk way (photo on the left below) from the bus stop at East Point Mall which will run below the viaduct of the MRT rail track linking to the vehicle pick up at Blk 242 along Simei St 3 and a covered linkway connecting the pick up point to Blk 242 (photo on the right below).  These sheltered link ways  protect residents from rain and shine when they transit between the bus stop, MRT station, vehicle pick up point or to Blk 242 and Blk 248. These projects were completed in February 2010. 

                                      

To ensure a uninterupted movement for less mobile residents, baby pram, marketing trolley, the CCC and LTA both partner each to provide a barrier free access near the “GO eatery” facing Blk 248. The presence of the barrier free ramp also reduces the need to walk the “extra mile” to access East Point Mall and vice versa. Though, a couple of residents were upset on the delay in the completion of the barrier free ramp, we could empathise with them. There is a real demand for the ramp. 

We are now in talk with NPark on extending the park connector to Tampines from Blk 248 as part of the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme. Discussion is still in progress.

I am writing this blog to create an awareness on the work done by the grassroots leaders in creating and updating amenities in our neighbourhood since 2006 when Ms Jessica Tan became our MP. Her focus was on creating an inclusive and vibrant Changi Simei thus with her vision, the CCC sets the ball rolling by proposing numerous projects and programmes. Even the private estate at East View Garden is undergoing its renewal programme to rejuvenate the estate.  look.

Besides the physical environment, Ms Jessica Tan is also focusing on social integration thus it is important that our infrastructure are ready to support the integration process. You may have noticed a number of activities organised by our grassroots organisations in the last couple of years to bond and gel residents together. The grassroots organisations will continue to push out programme and work for the benefit of residents.

Do come out and support our vision for Changi Simei.

Flying Solo…..in a Fighter Aircraft

Changi Simei, Singapore, 9 May 2010….

 

Finally, one of my childhood dream of becoming a fighter pilot came true at Paya Lebar Airbase on 9 May 2010 during a grassroots leaders hosted by Minister of State for Defence, Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee.

 

I have dreamt of being a fighter pilot as a boy liked any other boys of my age during my time. That dream never materialise but it came close to realisation  when I flown a F5E fighter aircraft (photo on the left)……not the real F5E fighter aircraft but in the flight simulator. Nonetheless, the cockpit looks real thing, very tight space and many switches on both sides of the seat. On the front was a panel of with monitors and switches like Turn and Slip indicator etc. With technology, I did not need to constantly glanced at all these switches and monitors as essential information were projected in front of the aircraft canopy. Even the imaginery horizon line was reflected in front of me. A far cry from the aircraft I used to fly where I had to scan the horizon to ensure that the sky was cleared as a fixed wing pilot trainee in the Air Force.   Before we start, we had to undergo a air grading test in a Air Tourer aircraft (1st photo on left). Luckily for me, I was a member of the then Junior Flying Club flying Cessna 172K model aircraft (2nd photo) and working on my private pilot licence.   (Source of photo from Yahoo.com)  

              

In my times in the Air Force, the Air Force’s inventories comprised of Marchetti Trainer (Marchetti was the 3rd photo above)  and the BAC 167 Strikemaster Trainer. The main fighter aircrafts were Hawker Hunter, A4S Skyhawk (1st photo below was Strikemaster, followed by Hawker Hunter and Skyhawk) and the Tiger F5E. The rotary wing comprised of Bell 212 and UH1H Huey, the transport aircrafts included C130 and Skyvan. Today, all these inventories were no longer in the Air Force except the Tiger F-5E. Today inventories included many technological advanced aircrafts and various air defence systems with superior capabilities to defend our sky.  (All photographs on aeroplanes were through yahoo.com)              

                   

Coming back to my flight. On the runway, there were two other  F16C/D flown by two Members of Parliament, Mr Charles Chong and Ms Cynthia Phua. I was third to take off. An instructor assisted me,  “full throttle” he said and I pushed the throttle forward to its maximum. The air speed increased and the aircraft rolled down the runway. Unlike the past when I was a pilot trainee, I could no longer control the aircraft on the centre line of the runway and it veered left. “Use your right pedal”, the instructor said and I did accordingly and the aircraft veered right again. At the required air speed, I pulled the joy stick and the aircraft lifted off the ground. The aircraft climbed steadily and keep the nose to the horizon for straight and level flight. The instructor helped to reduce the pressure on the joy stick by adjusting the aileron and perhaps the rudder.

 

The experience of taking off may be similar many years ago, the different was during my time, I had no horizon line to guide me to pitch the  nose of the aircraft during take off but had to rely on judgement to pitch the aircraft at the correct level in relation to the horizon. If the nose pitch was too steep, the aircraft may stall and may lost power.  That was the risk then.  Thank god, I was able to make the correct judgement each time I fly my sorties.    

 

At a high attitude, I did two aerobatics manoeuvres, a loop (photo on the left was through yahoo.com) and barrel roll. This time, I had no problem to execute as there was no G force although on the screen it was indicated as 4.5G during the aerobatics manoeuvres. The G Force was my weakness during one of the training sortie years ago where I lost orientation after completing the loop. Fortunately, I was flying with my flight instructor otherwise, the consequence was unimaginable as I may have been lost in South China Sea forever.  

 

Determining to overcome the psychological effect on me, I did a loop during my solo flight over South China Sea. During the manoeuvre, like the earlier sortie, my vision was “thinning” and I knew the unthinkable would occur soon. I eased off and recovered and the fear of death became my strongest adversary after that sortie. Alone in the cockpit and many nautical miles away from Singapore, who could help me if I “black out” out temporarily? I spoke to my flight instructor who was a Squadron Commander (Left photo, my flight instructor Sqn Cmdr Mani, my girlfriend and I were in the centre of the photo)  from the Indian Air Force. I thought, I should not put my life in jeopardy and also subjected my mother and girlfriend to undue anxiety and stress whenever I go on solo sorties. Better to be grounded and I consoled myself that to qualify as a pilot trainee was already an achievement as the medical screening was very stringent with very few would made it to the grade. At least I had made it to the Air Force and fly aeroplanes.

 

I signed off as Falcon 277, my call sign for good after my last sortie with the Commanding Officer. That was in Oct 1979.  

 

On the way back to the airbase, I tried to fire a missile, well the aircraft was not loaded with missile otherwise, I would have tested my “kill” capability. For this flight, I did not manage to land the F5E at Paya Lebar Airbase……. for I “parachuted” out instead to catch the coach which was leaving to visit another  station. Parachuting was the best course of action for this instance and I left the F5E still in flight to the instructor to take it down safely.  

 

My assessment after the simulator flight, it was an experience which I have wanted some 30 years ago. At least I have gone on one such flight albeit  a simulator flight.  Photo left below were trainees from my Pilot Training Course and I was holding to a cannister with red smoke during one of our survival training.  

 

                                    

The Sound of Freedom….

Changi Simei, Singapore, 9 May 2010….

                             

On 9 May 2010, the Minister of State for Defence (MOS), Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee hosted a visit to the Republic of Singapore Airforce’s (RSAF) Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) for some 150 grassroots leaders from the various constituencies. The visit is part of a series of regular visits to Singapore Armed Forces units as part of Mindef’s effort to develop greater understanding between the community and of our Air Force.

                                   

During the visit, we were briefed on the operational capabilities of our Air Force and how our Air Force maintains its combat readiness and currency of pilots through flying training in-country and in friendly countries. We also had a glimpse of cutting edge technologies in our Air Force for example the multi role fighter aircraft the F15SG which had just flown back to Singapore from the United States two weeks ago. In fact, we were the first group of Singaporeans given the honour of climbing into the cockpit of the two F15SG on display. (All photographs on airplanes were through yahoo.com)

     

We were also updated on how our Air Force overcome the challenge of our limited air space to train our pilots locally and at the same time to cater to need of civilian air traffic to maintain Singapore as an international air hub.Many may thought that the sky has no limit but in reality there are restrictions in the sky for example, our military pilots are prohibited from intruding into Malaysian’s air space during take off. It will take less than 30 seconds from take off to enter Malaysian’s air space thus some overflight in residential area is inevitable to keep within our Singapore air space.

Many years ago, I lived under the flight path of civilian aircrafts landing at Paya Lebar international Airport (photo left. source through Yahoo.com)) and believed me, the noise was really unbearable. We even had a Concorde flying past my house to land in 1972. Was there any noise abatement measures taken by the civil authority many years ago? I could say, there was none unless today, we were briefed by an officer from the Air Force about noise abatement measures taken as part of corporate responsibility to the community. What are the measures?

– During take off and landing, pilots are told to fly at a lower airspeed and flying at higher altitude to curb noise.

– For night flying and circuit training around air bases, trainings are stopped by 11 pm. In reality, we will told that circuit flying stops at around 9 pm.

– During examination periods, flying operations are curtailed and more stringent restrictions apply. No routine flying is allowed, except for operational taskings.

– To minmise in country flying training, 50% of flying training is now being carried out overseas.

– In addition, our pilots also spent 20% of flying time in flight simulators.

– For engine ground test, the Air Force constructed “hush house” to contain engine noise generated and such engine runs are not permitted beyond 9 pm.

                                             

Looking at these measures, my impression is that our Air Force is sensitive to the need of the community and is very serious and is pro active to mitigate the inconvenience cause to the community living around air bases. We are indeed lucky but despite these measures, Singaporeans still complain about noises instead of treating the jet noise generated by our military aircrafts as “sound of freedom”

I particularly like the analogy of the “sound of freedom” used by MOS during the dialogue to reinforce the importance of Air Force. MOS further elaborated that the other sound may be the “sound of missiles”. Should we hear the “sound of missiles” it may well mean that we are doomed as our air defence umbrella provided by our Air Force has been breached. I tend to agree with MOS the “sound of freedom” represent our freedom as a nation to do what we want to do to achieve our aspirations. I cannot imagine life in an occupied land. (photo left. Source from Yahoo.com)

After the visit, I am confident that our Air Force is capable of defending our sky as stated in its mission “To defend Singapore against any aerial threats. To deter war and should deterrence fail, achieve a decisive victory as part of the SAF”.

I can associate with Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee’s “sound of freedom” analogy.

Reflecting on Mother’s Day…..my mother

Changi Simei, Singapore, 9 May 2010

                  

Happy Mother Day, 母亲节快乐 to all mothers. (photo above. Source from Yahoo.com)

Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May and this year it falls on 9 May. The idea of celebrating Mother’s Day the world over is to pay tribute to all mothers for their love and support and an expression of gratitude to mothers for their hardships they bear in bring up their child.

We started our lives in our mothers’ wombs. For 10 months, we felt safe in their wombs and our mothers sustain our little lives, but do we understand how our mothers have to carry us around in the 10 months with physical discomfort and anxious over our health? With the cutting of the umbilical cord at birth, the physical attachment to our mothers cease but this is when psychological and emotional attachments begin. Our mothers protect us from harms, injuries, help build our self-esteem, show us the right values, teach us the basics of life and gave us happiness and many more. Their presence are reassuring as they create a sense of confidence which influence our lives. It is this foundation that provide for us to thrive in this world.

For many years, I no longer have the opportunity to say “mother, I love you and happy mother day” for she had passed away in her sleep. I can only remember her silently in my heart. I have missed her touch and care for my well-being. Well, this task has now fallen on the shoulder of my wife but it is not the same as a mother’s tender love towards her off springs. What I could take solace was that my brother and I had taken turn to take good care of her till she breathed her last in peace. In her old age, she did not have to worry about the 3 of us, my sister, brother and I in every aspect of lives. We have grown up, we have family of our own and we are respectable in our own field of works.

Back in the 60s, as a young boy, I could remember the time the tough time when my mother had to struggle to make ends meet with the passing of my dad due to cancer in just 3 months from being diagnosed with the incurable illness to death. My dad and mother were 1st generation residents in Singapore having fled from China during the war. We had no other family or societal support. Life was extremely difficult but my mother raised us up single-handedly. She had to scrimp and save the little she had from a hard day work and additional job to provide for us.

In term of education, she set high expectation of us to do well in school as she understood the importance of education. I remembered being the only one subjected to caning whenever I did poorly in school which disappointed her. Nonetheless, I studied hard at every level but somehow the minimum passed grade always eluded me. Though I came close to being superannuated in school, my mother did not give up on me. The scars resulted from the caning had long healed and perhaps the caning strengthening my fighting spirit to work harder in the next term and never say “die” and I know I could deliver the result one day.

I missed my mother home cooked chicken rice, the mixed ingredients porridge, the yam rice, poh piah and many more food whipped up by her. My wife tried but the food is never the same. For those who mothers are still in good health, my only advice is to treasure the time together and show love to her and hug her rather than feeling embarrass.

Yesterday, at the end of the mass, the church choir sang the song “Mother of Mine” (originally sung by Agnes Chan in 1973) for mothers. As the song progress, deep in my heart, I could felt a sense of emotional loss. Both eyes were teary and I was trying hard to control my tears. I would have burst into tears if the lyrics was a bit longer. I felt the same last year in the same church, Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. I like the lyrics of “Mother of Mine” which I am reproducing below. If you like to listen to the song (source from You tube), you can click the link.

   Mother of mine!
   You gave to me all of my life to do as I please.
   I owe everything I have to you.
   Mother, sweet mother of mine!
   Mother of mine!
   When I was young
   You showed me the right way things should be done.
   Without your love, where would I be?
   Mother, sweet mother of mine.
   Mother, you gave me happiness
   much more than words can say.
   I pray the Lord
   that He may bless you every night and every day.
   Mother of mine!
   Now I am grown. And I can walk straight all on my own.
   I＇d like to give you what you gave to me.
   Mother, sweet mother of mine.
   Mother, you gave me happiness
   much more than words can say.
   I pray the Lord
   that He may bless you every night and every day.
   Mother of mine!
   Now I am grown. And I can walk straight all on my own.
   I＇d like to give you what you gave to me.
   Mother, sweet mother of mine.
   Mother, sweet mother of mine.

Today, my wife though is a working mother tries to spend time with our children as much as she could to maintain a close relationship with them. She also maintains an open communication to connect to them. I have shared my life story with Linda and she learns from the experience of my mother but modify the child upbringing to today context to apply on our children.

Together my children brought my wife and I for dinner and my youngest daughter baked a cake, her first attempt. The dinner and cake may not be expensive items but it is the thought and knowing how they behave that brings us cheers that we have succeeded in bringing up our children. I thank my wife and mother of our children for her effort in building our happy home.

Changi Simei in 2010…..

Changi Simei, Singapore, 6 May 2010

 

When the first resident of Simei moved into the estate some 21 years ago, the estate had no amenities or facilities. Never mind about amenities or facilities, we did not even have a bus service within the estate to cater to the needs of residents.

 

Over the years, we have added additional amenities and facilities in the HDB heartland. From my interaction with residents, many like to live in Simei estate, an estate which is not as crowded as Tampines or other HDB estates. Our town centre located around the MRT is now a self sustained town centre with a shopping mall and a row of HDB shophouses at Blk 248. From without an eating house 22 yrs ago, we now have many eateries serving a variety of foods and a range from simple meals to more expensive meals.  

 

In 2006, together with Ms Jessica Tan, then our new Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC and Adviser to East Coast GRC GROs, the grassroots leaders gather to brainstorm the way ahead. 

 

We crafted the vision for Changi Simei, “to create an inclusive and a vibrant society”. With the vision, key grassroots leaders sat together with the town council and government agencies to operationalise the 5 years plan and other improvement projects. We may not be expert in town planning or social experts, but we live in the estate and we know what are our needs and what can make us tick as a community.         

 

To roll out our plan, beside our town council, we also involved Land Transport Authority, NPark, HDB on traffic, upgrading and maintenance projects and the latest is the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme for RC Zone 1 and 2 (Blk 101 to Blk 139) 

 

Our Changi Neighbourhood Police Centre which secure the estate free from crimes. We form neighbourhood groups to serve as eyes and ears to deter runners of illegal money lenders harassing the innocence at some of the HDB blocks with high incidence of harassments.  

 

We partner organisations like METTA, St Andrew Church, Moriah Presbyterian Church, Simei Care Centre, Changi General Hospital, Changkat Changi Secondary School, Changkat Primary School, the various Chinese Temples, Tampines Family Services Centre etc to strengthen our social fabric through the many helping hands approach. We put in place programmes for the residents to bond with each rather than just talks and rhetoric.    

 

The new face of Changi Simei is the result of the hard work put in by everyone living in Changi Simei. The grassroots leaders provide the leadership through their contribution in term of time and efforts, the residents provide many views, suggestions and proposals, the town council and the government agencies work on these suggestions and proposals which are practical for implementation. 

 

We work as a team in unison with one mission by creating social space, to enhance our common space, to bond our community for a united Changi Simei by reaching out to residents as much as we can and to the best of our ability.

 

However, in an affluent society, we may not have reached out to everyone in view of our hectic schedules. For those whom we may not have touched, current technology in the form of both the old and new media have networked us through the digital world. In Changi Simei, we have an East Coast’s website at http://everythingeast.sg  to provide news and activities in the East.

 

For news and information on Changi Simei, we have a  page “My Home in Simei” in the Facebook which is accessible through this link  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36111651821&ref=ts   

 

Another Facebook page on Changi Simei Constituency is at  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Changi-Simei…/343682615912   which also contains Ms Jessica Tan’s parliamentary speeches besides our local activities.  

 

I also blog regularly at   https://kohtongseng.wordpress.com  on my thoughts on our local community works and events to add descriptive dimension instead of photographs and short messages.

 

Besides these new IT enabled information sites, we also post banners and notices/flyers at notice boards for residents who prefer instant information on activities in our community.  

 

The means are there for you to connect to us to share our ideas, aspirations and hope for the local community. I believe with sharing, we are in a better position to develop our common space and place in the community. 

The Real Winners….

Changi Simei, Singapore, 27 April 2010….

   

The newest childcare centre located in Simei estate was officially opened on 27 April 2010. Ms Jessica Tan, our Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC was invited as its special guest to witness the simple opening ceremony. “Let’s celebrate” was the theme of the officially opening which I thought was appropriate and befit the occasion considering the initial strong objection to the presence of the childcare centre.

The saga began in late September 2009 when a couple of families started canvassing for majority support from house owners to object to the setting up of the childcare centre at their void decks. Flyers with personal interpretations on the childcare centre were posted at void decks, lift lobbies and inside lifts and these generated information gaps, inaccurate depiction of the situation thus causing anxieties to many. One senior folk aged about 80 yrs old was perturbed and stressed over the childcare centre when I visited her.  Nonetheless, the grassroots leaders also came to know about the childcare centre aroung the same time as these residents, therefore we were unable to seek clarifications with the agencies concerned.

 

By early October, more than 40 signatures were obtained and a counter proposal was prepared by a proponent of the “Stop Childcare Centre” group. I must give credit to this group for their persistence and their efforts in collecting data especially on the measurements on neighbouring void decks where the group had proposed to re-locate the childcare centre to. So it was another “not at my backyard” syndrome being played out.    

 

The group handed over its petition to Ms Jessica Tan. To raise the petition to a higher level, the leader of the group spoke to a non main stream Chinese newspaper which carried a short article on the issue. The leader also visited various agencies registering objections and imposing individual’s will to cause the construction works to stop. Construction works did stop for two to three weeks which perhaps was not an appropriate response by the agency.

 

To fill the gap of understanding, the CCC arranged two sessions to engage the group comprising about 4 families. Nonetheless, the group repeated its demand with audacity and even threatening to escalate the issue and at the ballot boxes. It was an impasse with no headway being made when the groups’ emotions ran high.

 

About the same time, grassroots leader armed with statistics and facts visited homes of the affected block to engage residents. We were surprised with the warm reception given to us. We took residents’ feedback in earnestness and acted on them through a working committee. With our collective efforts, we were able to fix issues within our control. For those beyond our sphere of influence, we provide them as feedback to the relevant agencies.  

 

Before the Chinese New Year, Ms Jessica Tan requested to visit residents to hear from residents. We arranged for her visit and residents expressed their appreciation for her efforts to address their concerns. During the visit, I had not observed any form of negative energy nor animosity towards the childcare centre.   

 

Reflecting on the journey, the situation then was adversarial where the proponents of the stop childcare centre drew the line of “them and us” but we kept our cool. Like the proponents of the stop childcare centre, we were equally persistence and passionate to find an amicable long term solution for the benefit of affected residents instead of trying to placate and please the vocal few. We put society first as we were convinced that  the childcare centre would benefit residents with children in the long run.

 

 

Finally with the childcare centre in full operation, who are the real winners? Well the pre-schoolers and toddlers are the winners and I am happy for them.  Their parents will feel safe leaving them at the childcare centre while they are at work to contribute to the economy. We need more citizens to be in the workforce to sustain the economy.

 

Well, we did our part for a win-win solution for all.         

 

*photographs are from the courtesy of Mr Tan Kim Hock