Generating Social Capital through Sports

Changi Simei, Singapore, 11 Dec 2010

It was a cool morning and by 7.30am, more than 250 residents of various ages and diverse background from Changi Simei RC Zone 1 had gathered at the Basket Ball Court for a sole purpose; to interact through a walk covering 2.5 km distance. One American PR by the name of John was also in the midst of the locals.

For those who are physically agile and fit, the 2.5 km walk was a breeze to them. For the senior folks and younger children, it was a challenge to them. Nonetheless, there were many senior citizens whom had returned to the start point at Blk 106 in quicker time than I had previously thought. These senior folks were those health conscious ones who participated in brisk walks and other forms of daily exercise groups. If all our senior folks are part of any group, I can only conclude that our senior folks will be in a better position in both their mental and physical agility. Unfortunately, they are still many senior folks who prefer to be coped at home rather than coming out to join others. The respective RCs will need to work harder to recruit these senior folks into their folds.

The brisk walk began with an aerobic exercise conducted by Chairman, Changi Simei RC Zone 1’s Senior Citizens Executive Committee.  Ms Jessica Tan our Member of Parliament was with the residents performing the warm up exercise which I thought was suitable for residents of all ages. I was too busy snapping photographs thus I did not join them.

After the warm up exercise, Ms Jessica Tan flagged off and also joined the brisk walk. The residents response to the flagged off was fantastic. Many walked at a faster speed and were physically and mentally fitter than I had thought. The fitter they are, the healthier they are and less likely to fall sick. We may not be aware that being sick consumed resources in term of productivity, money and time and being physically and emotionally uncomfortable. Therefore, there is a need for more physical activities to be organised and more health screening.

The Citizens’ Consultative Committee is working with Changi General Hospital to roll out a programme known as the Eastern Cluster Health Outreach programme. In view of funding, we have set a numbers and on a first come first served basis. The programme includes health screening at an affordable cost. Participants must remain in the programme for 3 years that is going for health screening annually for 3 years. Medical workers will be on hand to provide advices on healthy living base on the results of the screening. There are details that the CCC is still working out. There is also another programme for senior citizens known as the Wellness Programme where senior folks as part of our health programme and at the same time to draw out the seniors from their home for interactive programme. Like the ECHO, details will be released at a later date.

Coming back to the Brisk Walk, residents who completed the walk exchanged their coupons with goodies bags similar to collecting the completion medal after the marathon. Many were happy to receive their goodies bags as that were their achievements. I thought it was a good idea to give to hand over the goodies bags at the end of the walk.

Residents were also treated to a late breakfast after the walk. Many who came with families and friends gathered for their own interaction to enhance family bonding or forging deepened friendships among themselves. They sat in groups, happily eating their breakfasts and some made for their second rounds to eat to their hearts content.

When their tummies were filled, there was a line dance demonstration, games like putting and lucky draw. NEA and police also set up their booths to educate residents on dengue prevention and basic knowledge on crime prevention. Prizes were given to winners who could fulfill the games’ requirements as some form of skills would be required to complete these games.

After over one year of planning, consulting residents and obtaining the necessary support from residents to upgrade the precincts in EC Zone 1 and 2 under the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, the NRP is now in its final planning stage. The relevant agencies had already given their final approval on the works and designs that we want and the project is now in its tender stage. If all goes well, works on the NRP would commence in the 2^nd Quarter of 2011. Once completed, residents would see a rejuvenated precinct in RC Zone 1 and 2 followed by RC Zone 3 and 4 which our Member of Parliament had announced the upgrading project for these two zones.  

On the rejuvenated precinct, I am also looking towards to the completion of the works for the benefits of residents. After more than 20 years of the estate’s life, it is time to create a new external environment, all thanks to Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo, our Member of Parliament who has taken up the renewal issue with HDB after the announcement of the NRP programme by our Prime Minister during his 2008 National Day Rally. This is just one aspect of renewing the hardware and the other piece is to promote the software through creating vibrant activities to bring all communities together as ONE community. The day will come sooner if all our residents come out to join our programmes.

Senior Citizens Lunch Gathering@Changi Simei RC Zone 3

Changi Simei, Singapore, 11 Dec 2010

Once a month, around 50 to 60 senior citizens of Residents Committee Zone 3 gather at its senior citizens corner to share their lunch together.  This morning on 10 Dec 2010, it was no difference. The only different in the programme was the inclusion of a caroling session by senior citizens of the Moriah Church located a stone throw away from the RC Centre. The choir was invited by Fiona, the chairperson of the RC Senior Citizens Executive Committee.

On my arrival, I noticed these senior folks were eagerly waiting for the programme to start. While waiting, they chit chats with each other and there were smiles on their faces perhaps these senior folks were happy to meet each other again in the once a month lunch gathering.

Before the commencement of the lunch, the caroling added to the festive mood. Those senior folks who could manage English, they too sang along with the carolers. Perhaps, the next time, the carols should include the Mandarin version so that many more senior folks could also participate in the caroling. Nonetheless, it was fun for all.

At the end of the caroling, it was time to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. The organising committee prepared a cake which I understood was available for this lunch gathering only. Being Singaporeans, instead of the traditional log cake, the senior folks preferred a cake which they could divide into equal pieces for the senior folks who were presence. Well, it was not the traditions that matter but the opportunity for bonding created by such lunch gathering. I was asked to lead the cake cutting after the traditional singing of “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”.    

Finally, it was lunch time, 8 course buffet lunch where these senior folks paid $2 which was a third of the cost for lunch per pax. The lunch was definitely value for money. RC Zone 3 has been funding the senior citizens for many years now to attract these senior citizens to come out of their homes. Coping at home may not be the best option for these senior citizens firstly, they are lonely at home and secondly, meeting others raise their qaulity of life.   

After lunch, the senior folks attended a talk on Dengue as part of the RC educational programme on each playing a small part to eradicate Aedes mosquitoes. Many details like the cycle of  mosquitoes breeding, the areas to look for at home to prevent breeding grounds, the symptoms of identifying dengue victims from normal flu, statistics on the numbers of dengue fever cases in RC Zones etc were shared.

At the end of the sharing session, there were 10 questions quiz with umbrellas to be won for giving the correct answers. The participation was overwhelming. Many senior folks raised their hands at all the same time which made it a challenge for NEA to determine who raised their hands first to stake their right to answer the quiz. What surprised me was these senior folks gave the correct answer the first time. This proved that these senior folks were listening with a strong presence of minds during the sharing session.  

The sharing session was useful to create an awareness of dengue fever. I had also reminded these senior folks on this common myth. There are no breeding grounds in their homes and if there are, mosquitoes in their homes, it is always their neighbours who are the culprits to have bred mosquitoes and these mosquitoes flew into their homes. I had told them that during inspection at their homes conducted by NEA, a compound fine of $300 would be issued if NEA inspectors detected any breeding ground. These senior folks understood the monetary penalties and the appearance in court for repeat offenders after two composite fines. The position taken by NEA on mosquitoes breeding grounds is non-negotiable as a momentarily lapse in dengue prevention can result in grave consequences as seen in 2006. That year saw an outbreak of dengue in Singapore with many deaths cases related to dengue. I had a colleague who was hospitalised for weeks and even undergone a blood transfusion and fortunately he recovered. Therefore, why go through the suffering where prevention taken is better than falling sick?

I thought the monthly lunch gathering was a good way to bond and at the same time creating awareness of the environment around them.

Our Economy Beyond 2010

Changi Simei. Singapore, 8 Dec 2010

Many Singaporeans are unhappy about the influx of foreign talents in our country. Many blame them for their personal misfortune or for our personal non competitiveness in the job market.

Are foreign talents the real cause to our current unhappiness with them? It appears so when I read postings from the internet. Many postings put the blame squarely on these foreign talents for turning “true blue” citizens into second class citizens in our own country. If we can’t find a job, it is the foreign talents who are being favoured by employers because they are cheaper and willing to work 7 days a week. We envy them for not performing national service to defend the country. When our public transport is filled to the brink, we point our finger to foreign talents for traffic congestion on our roads and overcrowded MRT trains. The current hot topic is about housing and many attribute their inability to buy HDB flats to unaffordable prices as foreign talents soak up the market and perhaps speculating in HDB flats. There are more postings in the internet detailing why we should not bring in foreign talents as they are their threats.

It all boils down to our expectations of our life journeys to be smooth without storm and any under current. We ask what our country can do for us instead of what we can do for the country. Such belief gives rise to the “entitlement” mental model and the rejection of foreign talents.

Nonetheless, is there any thing wrong with accepting foreign talents to add value to the Singapore’s economy? I was reading our population replacement ratio which was published recently. It was in ratio of 1.22, hardly enough to even replace their parents. With such ratio, can our economy sustain in the long term? Look at the Japanese’s society which has low population growth and at the same time rejects foreign talents and where are they now? The Japanese’s economy has been in the low since the burst of the bubble in the 80s. The Japanese are still struggling with the economy. Will Singapore be in this state of affairs in the near future when the baby boomers population comes out of their economic productive lives? Though I am not an economist, without a large population base, our economy may not sustain for long. I am worried about the economy in the long term even though I may have long gone under. 

I have read a report that the Chinese government is also attracting foreign talents? Why should they with a more than a billion population? There must be some thing that the Chinese government knows that we don’t.

Just turn to Malaysia, it was reported in the Straits Times on 7 Dec 2010 that the Malaysian government plans new visa to woo foreign talent. It is making it easier for skilled expats to live and work in the country as part of its plans to woo the needed talent to help to spur its economy. The catch is skilled expatriates. Finally, they have woken up to our detriments. They will be our real economic threat in the future as they also aim to be a world class economy.

While other countries openly embrace foreign talents, back home, we apply pressure on our government to limit the inflow of foreign talents. While I agree that we should not take in all sort of foreign talents, nonetheless, we should take in the best and also the unskilled labourers. We need the unskilled workers as they are a critical pillar to the success of our economy at the lower grade jobs where no Singaporeans will want to take up. Imagine one day when all the foreign workers in the conservancy and maintenance industry are gone. Who is going to upkeep the cleanliness in our society, who is going to build our HDB flats and other properties etc?

I am also inclined to agree that foreign talents affect our social fabric and add pressure on our limited infrastructures but without them, our economy will shrink. It is a question of how we balance between the need for them and at the same time looking at our own interest. There are advocates and opposition and I respect their positions. Nevertheless, is a fine line to tread.    

I am pretty sure that our government is aware of the resentments against foreign talents thus adjusting its foreign talents policy. Too much twitching of polices would result in Singapore being unattractive to attract these foreign talents. Therefore, our government will need to do more for Singaporeans to alleviate their fears on the onslaught of foreign talents. But Singaporean will also need to work harder, cultivating good work attitude instead of taking medical leave at the slightest of illness like headaches. We must remember that no one owes us a living except ourselves.

Singapore needs foreign talents as part of our long term strategy to propel our economy to the next plane if not maintaining the current level of prosperity.

 

Working together as One Community

Changi Simei, Singapore, 5 Dec 2010

This morning, I was at Kg Chai Chee Division with fellow Chairmen of various Citizens Consultative Committees in East Coast and Joo Chiat (the super heroes are on the left photo)  welcoming Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister in Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and Transport in her ministerial community visit. I stayed throughout the visit which comprised of 4 stations including the usual dialogue session with minister.  

Back in 2007, Changi Simei hosted the ministerial community visit on 3 Dec 2007. The visiting minister was Mr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports. Then we too had 4 stations, a mass walk, and a visit to Sunbird estate, a carnival at Blk 229 and a dialogue session.

The visit begun at 8.50 am on the arrival of the visiting minister. The minister was greeted by the host Member of Parliament, Mr Lee Yi Shyan, and other MP in East Coast GRC, Professor Jayakumar, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Mr Raymond Lim and Ms Jessica Tan.

On her arrival, Minister Lim was led to the carnival ground where together with the other MPs, opened the carnival. This was done by releasing balls in the net above the residents. Once the net is released, the balls came down to the delight of residents who picked them up as souvenirs. It seemed that I was at the wrong place during the launch. Many residents move forward thus shoving me aside. The lesson learn was “don’t get in the way” of what people desired to do. There was also a street soccer demonstration put up by Geylang United, one of the professional soccer clubs in the Singapore League. The netball demonstration, the games stalls, the music played a school marching band, the sound and laughter of residents generated much vibrancy in this station.

We next proceed to Station 2 which was visiting the “Pasar” at Blk 216 ie the wet market and food centre. We walked through the wet market with Minister Lim, Mr Lee Yi Shyan and Ms Jessica Tan greetings stall holders and residents in the market. The stall holders and the grassroots leaders were like buddies. Their relationships was perhaps cemented years ago and deepened during the hawker upgrading project where both grassroots leaders and the stall holders worked together to roll out the project.

I heard an interesting comment during the visit to the food centre “oh, election is coming so they are now visiting”. Such comment may not bring justice to our political leaders and the grassroots leaders who have covered the ground. Such comment reflected the ignorance of this group of senior folks who were dressed smartly. Ministerial Community Visit has been a regular feature for the younger minister. I had the honour to organise one such visit in Dec 2007, one and half year after the general election in early 2006. In reality, I was informed of the intention of such visit about a year ahead of the visit. There have been many ministerial community visits since.

Therefore, the negativity of these uncles and aunties who made the comment was unwarranted and it boiled down to their poor awareness of the environment that they were in. Not seeing is not equivalent of no happening at all. I am sure, MPs and grassroots leaders walk the ground very often to engage residents and for ministerial community visit, it takes place about once a month for younger ministers to get to know other divisions.

The 3^rd station was meaningful in that there was a human touch. At this station, besides the completion ceremony of Lift Upgrading Programme, Re-vitalisation of Shops, Main Upgrading Programme etc. A sketch on barrier free was also played on stage. I liked the scripts on barrier free as with its completion, it would mean hat henceforth, getting from place to place by those on wheel chairs, those who have weak legs, the senior folks, those with heavy marketing items would be able to get around the estate easily without much hassle. All these good comforts in life were paid for by the government but unfortunately, many viewed them as their entitlements instead of privileges that the government shared their budget surpluses with the people.

During the one hour or so dialogue session which was the last station, a couple of questions were raised.

One question dealt with the refund of the wrongful deduction in the new distance fare structure. The resident elaborated on the inconvenience of seeking refund. Nonetheless, the minister clarified that with ground feedback, the procedure for seeking refund had been streamlined. On 18 Dec 2010, just tap the link card at the refund counter, the refund would be automatically credited into the link card. There would not be a need to remember about the trips made as the previous travel history were available in the link card thus using IT to resolve the manual way of refund. That was a piece of good news.

One youth asked about which sector of the industries would be thriving and was referred to a study paper available in the government web site for her reading. I don’t think youth during my time would dare to ask such questions so that she could decide the direction she would taking.

A petition was handed over to the minister. The petition addressed the future of the food centre at Blk 207 after its lease expires on 31 Dec 2014. Many of the stall holders who according to the representative who spoke were fearful of the lost of their livelihoods as they have been operating in the food centre since 1978. I could empathise with these stall holders but there is a shelf life for everything. Even our HDB flats have a 99 lease and when its lease lapses, our HDB flats would be returned to HDB. There are always conflicts in life and it is about conflict management to find an acceptable solution for every players.

Yet another resident passionately requested for additional facilities to be made at the Bedok Polyclinic and wanting to know more about the proposed sport hubs. This resident also suggested ideas to get thing done which was praised by the Minister in her reply.

One senior citizen asked about transferring her Block she lives to Fengshan CC as she reckoned that Fengshan CC is located just a street away from her home. Mrs Lim Hwee Hua and Mr Lee Yi Shyan thanked her for her suggestion. Well, does this matter as electoral boundaries are artificial lines drawn to mark areas of responsibilities for politicians like members of parliament. It is arbitrarily and it is not a state to state boundary that one cannot trespasses without proper immigration document.  The senior citizens could join any of the community centres’ based activities as long as they think that the activities are worth their time and money.

The question that set every one in the hall straight was a question on whether HDB had taken measurs on cooling the housing prices. Minister gave an update on how the measures were derived from a study commissioned by Ministry of National Development and Housing and Development Board. Minister Lim said that the cooling measures are beginning to take effect and HDB is also building another 22,000 units of flat next year to further cool the market. With many flats being put on the market, it may dampen demand but the issue is that many would still prefer flats in the mature estate in view of its convenience. How prices will come down will depend on in the next few months, prospective buyers and sellers view the government cooling measures.

The grassroots leaders in Kg Chai Chee had put up a sterling performance in the organisation of this morning visit. The event went like clockwork. It was certainly an event to be remembered by residents of Kg Chai Chee and the informative session derived during the dialogue with the visiting minister. Besides information, the winners of this ministerial community visit were the residents themselves, who came, saw, interact and bond as one community.

I had also learned some thing about the spirit of Kg Chai Chee. Well done Kg Chai Chee