September 2017

A Q U A R T E R LY P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E P E O P L E ' S A C T I O N P A R T Y

START RIGHT, STAY HEALTHY,

LIVE SMART

INSIDE: Branches to do more for PAP.SG

YP members share best practicespg24

MPs Saktiandi bin Supaat and Melvin Yong: How they are uplifting their residents’ livespg27 & 28

Josephine Teo talks about her niche at work and the challenges aheadpg16

06 COVER STORY Get a head start early, stay healthy, be wired A stronger pre-school sector, battling diabetes and a better connected Singapore were three issues raised by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at this year’s National Day Rally.

16 CONVERSATION Seeding new approaches

20 SPECIAL Work in progress to serve you better

GROUNDWORK 19 PAP.SG Branches to take ownership of PAP.SG programmes Branches will do more to shape programmes to engage the seniors.

22 Women's Wing Sustained drive for women’s causes Good progress has been made by Women’s Wing to speak up for Singapore women.

24 Young PAP YP members share best practices to stay close to the ground.

25 Young PAP Celebrating Father’s Day Fathers play an important role in families. YP, together with MPs, feted them on Father’s Day.

26 PAP Policy Forum SkillsFuture makes inroads Find out your training “compass” and upgrade skills through SkillsFuture.

27 Backbencher’s Bite Bridging across generations

28 Backbencher’s Bite The people connector Bringing people together to do good for the community is

PUBLICITY AND PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEELawrence Wong (Chairman) Desmond Lee Chee Hong TatSeah Kian Peng Lim Wee Kiak Baey Yam Keng Zaqy Mohamad Janil Puthucheary Chiang Heng Liang Diana Pang Hamidah Aidillah Benjamin Tay Teo Lin Lee Adrian Liew

EditorChee Li Foong Editorial and DesignFocus Publishing Limited(Tel: 6319-2392) Printer KHL Printing Co. Pte Ltd Photos Singapore Press Holdings, istockphoto.com

MCI (P) 180/03/2017Petir is published by the People’s Action Party Central Executive Committee. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior consent of the publisher. Views expressed in this magazine are not neces-sarily those of the PAP or the Government. All rights reserved.

PAP HeadquartersBlock 57B, New Upper Changi Road, #01-1402, PCF Building, Singapore 463057 Telephone: 6244-4600Telefax: 6243-0114Internet: www.pap.org.sg

Please send feedback, suggestions and comments to paphq@pap.org.sg.

September 20174

ContentsSEPTEMBER 2017

06

25

26 27 28

16

National Day Rally 2017

September 2017 5

COVER STORY

Get a head start early, stay healthy, be wiredWhile the immediate priorities of jobs and economic growth remain important, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong used this year’s National Day Rally to discuss three pressing longer-term issues – build up the pre-school sector, tackle the invisible disease that is diabetes, and the need to become a Smart Nation – that he described as important to Singapore’s success and well-being.

Life’s foundationSingapore a good start and the best chance to

years.“In the past, we started at Primary 1, when the

in Primary 1, but to build sound foundations for

catch that window or you’ll miss it,” he said.Noting the shortage of pre-school places for

years, bringing the total to about 200,000 which

standards. As such, the Ministry of Education – which

already has 15 of its own kindergartens – will open 35 more by 2023. And by 2019, a new

attracted to a career in the pre-school sector.Mr Lee also pledged greater support for

children from low-income families. The KidSTART programme, which helps to train parents from the time a mother is pregnant, will likely be scaled up based on the early promising feedback.

$840 million this year on pre-schools, a commitment which Mr Lee said will more than

said.

“It is a heavy investment but worthwhile and necessary. But all this will be for nought unless young couples do your part. Please have more babies!”- PM Lee urging young couples to have children, even as the government commits more money into the pre-school sector.

“Why are we so preoccupied with the future? Whom are we doing this for? Not just for ourselves, but for our children and future generations.”

National Day Rally 2017

September 20176

Battling diabetes

stressed that what matters more should be the quality of one’s life,

Playing the role of chief doctor for the day, he said the life

expectancy of Singaporeans now stands at 82 – among the longest

health in their old age.Mr Lee urged Singaporeans to take care of their health and work

with diabetes. The rate is much higher as one ages, with three in ten

Mr Lee went one step further to break it down by race – 2.5 in 10

Indians, it is 6 in 10.

and Indians, it’s actually a health crisis. It’s not an exaggeration,” he warned.

less and – healthily, and cut down on consumption of sugary soft drinks.

producers to agree to reduce the sugar in all their drinks sold in

“To stay in the safe zone, I weigh myself every day, and I adjust my food intake. I exercise daily. I watch what I eat and drink — wholemeal bread instead of white bread, Teh O Kosong instead of Teh. Teh Gah Dai is completely out of the question. But if the dessert is chendol, it cannot be helped; I will just take a little bit. It takes effort and discipline but it can be done. So I hope you will join me. Start today, so that we can live healthily and live well.” - PM Lee on his regime to a healthier lifestyle.

September 2017 7

A smarter Singapore for allWhen it comes to being a Smart Nation, some people think it is about owning multiple mobile

people are digitally literate, and schools are teaching students basic computing and robotics.While the right ingredients are there, Mr Lee spoke of how Singapore still lags behind other

and technicians. With the worldwide shortage of such skills, he stressed the urgent need to build

up and upgrade their skills.

and making better use of integrated data to boost public safety and security.

up to our own expectations of what we ought to be and can be,” he said.

COVER STORY

“Smart Nation is about Singapore taking full advantage of IT. Using IT comprehensively to create new jobs, new business opportunities, to make our economy more productive, to make our lives more convenient. To make this an outstanding city in which to live, work and play.”- PM Lee on why building a Smart Nation is key to securing Singapore’s future.

September 20178

“We expect economic growth of around 2.5 per cent this year, higher than last year. Wages have been rising, gradually but steadily, and most encouragingly, productivity is improving. Last year, productivity went up by 1 per cent, after several years of almost zero growth. This year, we should do even better. This is important because productivity is the key to our prosperity, and to higher wages.”- PM Lee on the economy, wages and productivity

2.5%

National Day Rally 2017

September 2017 9

COVER STORY

Asas kehidupanMelangkah ke prasekolah akan memberi setiap kanak-kanak

di Singapura permulaan yang baik dan peluang terbaik untuk

membentangkan pelbagai daya usaha untuk mengukuh sektor itu dalam beberapa tahun mendatang.

Maklum akan kekurangan tempat di prasekolah untuk kanak-kanak berusia empat tahun ke bawah, pemerintah akan menambah 40,000 tempat lagi dalam tempoh lima tahun,

Kementerian Pendidikan – yang telahpun memiliki 15 tadikanya

pula, sebuah pusat Institut Pembangunan Awal Kanak-Kanak Kebangsaan akan dibangunkan. Menurut Encik Lee, apabila lebih

dan pembangunan profesional yang mantap, mereka akan tertarik

besar tetapi perlu dan penting”.

Menangani penyakit kencing manisJangka hayat warga Singapura adalah 82 tahun – antara

kehidupan yang kurang selesa kerana penyakit yang dihidapi, secara puratanya selama lapan tahun semasa di usia tua.

kencing manis, yang beliau sifatkan sebagai penyebab utama kehidupan yang digelangi penyakit. Satu dari setiap sembilan warga Singapura katanya, mengidapi kencing manis. Kadar ini meningkat menurut usia, dengan tiga dari setiap 10 orang berusia

60 tahun ke atas mengalaminya. Encik Lee turut memperincikan perangkaan itu dengan

memberikan gambaran mengikut kaum – 2.5 bagi setiap 10 orang

bagi setiap 10 orang India. “Ini adalah satu masalah yang amat serius, terutamanya untuk

orang Melayu dan India, ia sebenarnya satu krisis kesihatan. Ia bukan sesuatu yang dibesar-besarkan,” katanya.

Beliau kemudian memberi beberapa saranan untuk rakyat

secara kerap, sering bersenam, kurangkan pemakanan dan makan makanan yang menyihatkan, dan kurangkan meminum air bergula.

Singapura yang lebih bijak untuk semua

berbanding kota-kota lain dalam beberapa bidang, seperti memanfaatkan penggunaan pembayaran secara elektronik dalam transaksi sehari-hari.

teknisyen. Dengan dunia menghadapi kekurangan bakat-bakat ini, beliau menekankan pentingnya membangunkan bakat. Di

Pengalihan Profesional akan membantu rakyat membangunkan dan meningkatkan kemahiran mereka.

aplikasi mudah alih untuk membayar yuran meletak kereta, dan memanfaatkan dengan lebih baik data bersepadu bagi meningkatkan keselamatan awam.

Mulakan sekarang, kekal sihat, sentiasa terjalinPerdana Menteri Lee Hsien Loong memanfaatkan Rapat Hari Kebangsaan tahun ini dengan membincangkan tiga perkara jangka panjang – membangunkan sektor prasekolah, menangani penyakit kencing manis dan perlunya menjadi sebuah Negara Bijak – yang beliau sifatkan sebagai penting bagi kejayaan dan kesejahteraan Singapura.

September 201710

National Day Rally 2017

September 2017 11

CONVERSATION

Seeding New ApproachesNewly-minted Minister Mrs Josephine Teo talks about her niche at work and Singapore's challenges

BY WONG SHER MAINE

JOSEPHINE TEO Minister, Prime Minister’s

Age: 49 Husband Teo Eng

Cheong, CEO (International) of Surbana Jurong, 19-year old son and 17-year old twin girls

Breakfast at favourite hawker stall, sharing music on devices or chatting during a long drive

For a time, the approach to Singapore’s baby shortage seemed to be increasing the quantum of the Baby Bonus cash gift. But giving couples more money did not meet other pressing

needs.When Mrs Josephine Teo joined the National Population and

can we do?With her team, they listened intently to young Singaporeans

and their reasons for not having children or more children. They visited and studied what other countries were doing; not only the successful ones but countries which had gone all out to raise the

“We decided to study examples of success and ‘failure’. It’s a

own areas of focus,” said Mrs Teo, who oversees population matters.They came away with two discoveries.“One aspect of East Asian culture is that couples want to own a

home before starting a family,” she pointed out. The other aspect was the importance of good, available infant

and doing a survey of families with young children. Mrs Teo even did some “sleuthing”, dropping in at infant care centres without warning to get a sense of services and standards.

places.

September 201716

Shaking Things UpThis was only possible because she

was allowed to change things. “There was an open-ness. No one said, I couldn’t touch this or that. I had room to exercise

Mrs Teo has a triptych of ministries in

other being Ms Grace Fu, the Minister for

for herself, as a “troublemaker” of sorts who seeds new approaches and capabilities.

start, challenging the way they do things,” said Mrs Teo. She reckons that in the

Science, Technology and Research

these organisations.

she was instrumental in seeding new approaches include the Pioneer Generation

connect with seniors and help them access

signature programmes under Business

Programme.

Life as a MinisterWhen asked how life has changed since

luxury. People are also paying more attention

Mrs Josephine Teo, then Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister's

Ibrahim, Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, interacting with children during a visit to a Skool4kidz childcare centre in Tampines in December 2016.

to what she says and writes, and she gets compliments as well as brickbats.

approach is to be direct and honest,” she said.

“Brickbats are to be expected and it’s not

criticisms which merit further attention.” She cites the example of her residents

at Natura Loft, a cluster of three high-rise blocks, during a spate of frequent lift breakdowns. “They were right to be upset and our response cannot be to try and suppress their unhappiness but to address the issues squarely.” She got the

measures with encouraging results.Online brickbats were few and far

on some issues. This, she feels, is one of the greatest challenges facing Singapore today.

Growing Threat of Fault Lines

potential fault lines in our society, we won’t hold together well enough or long enough to keep Singapore going.”

dialogue session, Mrs Teo shared that two

approach to sexuality and if the laws could be changed.

Indeed, anything can become a fault line, from issues of race to politics, animal

“When people tell you they are angry, they are intensely emotional because it

encountered irresponsible users or nearly got knocked down. You would not imagine

What is crucial is that all parties come together to listen to each other, and not

to discuss the alignment of the upcoming

were making a serious attempt to explore what the potential damage could be (to

ahead with its initial plan. But I said it could only be a meaningful engagement if the groups were also open to the possibility

preference,” she said. “They were prepared to come on board on those terms.”

“I don’t set out to provoke. My general approach is to be direct and honest,”

September 2017 17

FEATURE

Grandmother’s Lifelong

Who was your childhood inspiration?My paternal grandmother. I lived with her in the Joo Chiat area until I was 13 as my parents were busy working. She died in 2009 at the age of 92.

Why was she inspiring?She ran a medicinal hall with my grandfather at Geylang Lorong 13 which was burnt down three times during World War 2. People from her generation developed great resilience. She was a Hakka woman who was illiterate, but taught herself how to read and write by scrutinising the Chinese newspapers and studying 5-10 words a day. She didn’t speak Mandarin either, but eventually learnt the language by watching TV.

How did you spend time with her?Well, I would watch Tamil movies with her on Thursdays and Fridays and that was how I improved my English, by reading the subtitles so that I could explain to her! I learnt Mandarin characters as she would point them out to me on signs and buildings. And I learnt Malay as a pre-schooler when she opened a shoe shop and I had to converse with Malay customers. I also caught the travel bug from her, as she was very adventurous. From the

out the immigration forms and navigate the airports for her!

How did growing up with her change you?She had a real sense of adventure and I think I got that from her. She’d say: “Just ask, just try. Who says you can’t?”

“Just ask, just try. Who says you can’t?”

New jobs are still being created

While Mrs Teo acknowledges that there are concerns that structural shifts in

the economy may render some jobs obsolete, she takes a more optimistic view of the jobs landscape.

Comparing the retrenchments during the

losses, she reasoned: “Job losses then were mainly due to a cyclical downturn whereas more of the job losses today are due to structural changes. Back then, no new jobs were created but today, there’s actually new job creation even as old jobs are lost.”

The government’s approach to helping workers has also shifted. “In 2008 and 2009, we decided to help cut costs to save jobs.

Today, the focus is on helping businesses and industries transform and grow, while helping Singaporeans adapt and grow,” she said.

As someone who has been on both sides of the fence, Mrs Teo’s approach to helping workers is also to help the companies to do well.

On how to balance economic development and workers’ interests, she said: “If we want our union members to do well, we must help the companies do well. For example, to cut wastage in production or acquire new capabilities to grow their markets beyond Singapore. But at the same time, the

companies know that the unions expect them to treat the workers fairly, share the fruits of success and to give them opportunities to advance.”

“By and large, employers and unions in Singapore recognise their interests are aligned. We try to be pro-business and pro-worker at the same time, so that economic development produces a

September 201718

GROUNDWORK > PAP.SG

T

retired MPs and committee members of

Established in Dec 2013, the PAP.SG is an interest group that champions elderly causes as Singapore’s population ages. It

the elderly in the community, especially their quality of life, care and security.

In his address, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who was the Guest-of-Honour at

an idea to educate elderly residents about

Life and the Pioneer Generation Package while they wait to meet the MP at the

Since last October, the 71-year-old Mr

on hand to explain these policies and help residents apply for help if they qualify.

Explaining how he came up the idea, Mr Teo said he noticed that while waiting

“twiddle their thumbs” so he decided to

in 1983.

are now helping to set up these booths in other constituencies nationwide.

Speaker of Parliament Madam Halimah

the third year of our formation and they

formed PAP.SG chapters.”

mostly centrally-directed in the past, the plan now is to let the branches take ownership of PAP.SG’s programmes to empower them to reach out to more seniors in the community.

Sec-Gen Lee: Build on pioneers’ strong foundation

PM Lee, who is the PAP’s Secretary-General, also paid tribute to the party's

long way since its founding in 1954, thanks to the hard work and dedication of party

strong foundation to build on and now, it is our challenge, our responsibility and our

calling to carry on the work.”He also thanked the pioneers who

stepped forward to mentor the younger

branch secretary at Queenstown took a

has found his footing and is chairman of the Young PAP Queenstown branch and deputy organising secretary of the Young

Also at the tea reception at One Farrer Hotel and Spa was Mr Shaukat Ali, 57, from

since 1979. He too interacts with elderly

are unaware of the numerous assistance

with them.“My fellow members and myself make

The advocacy group was centrally-directed in its formative years but the time has come to pass the baton to the branches

Branches to take ownership of PAP . SG programmes

It has been a busy three years since PAP.SG was formed in Dec 2013. Out of the 89 branches, 76 have formed PAP.SG chapters. There are plans to let the branches take ownership of PAP.SG programmes to empower them to engage with more seniors.

* Madam Halimah resigned as Speaker of Parliament and MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC and left the PAP on Aug 7, 2017 to contest the presidential election.

September 2017 19

SPECIAL

Work in progress to serve

you better

Fort Canning Station

Bencoolen Station

Jalan Besar Station

Bendemeer Station

Geylang Bahru Station

Mattar Station

MacPherson Station

Ubi Station

Sa much longer distance before experiencing a delay, statistics from

Based on an international standard of measuring rail reliability known as the

to 94,000 train-km for the full year of 2013. The higher the MKBF, the higher the reliability.

the full year of 2016. From January to June

393,000 train-km before they experienced a

minutes. This compared well against the 174,000 train-km MKBF for the entire 2016.

lines was the North East Line which

train-km in 2016 to 978,000 train-km in 1H 2017.

The LRT system's performance also

distance before experiencing a fault which

faults caused by the ongoing re-signalling works on the North-South and East-West Lines, which are essential for upgrading

For incidents of more than 30 minutes, both the MRT and LRT lines also did better.

network in 2016, the number dropped sharply to six in 1H 2017. The LRT system had four incidents in the 1H 2017 compared with 18 for the entire 2016.

The best-performing of the five MRT lines was the North East Line which improved more than five-fold from 174,000 train-km in 2016 to 978,000 train-km in 1H 2017.

Downtown Line (DTL) Stage 3Coming your way on Oct 21, 2017

All-out efforts are underway to improve rail reliability and greater network

accessibility around Singapore

September 201720

Kaki BukitStation

Bedok NorthStation

Bedok Reservoir Station

Tampines West Station

Tampines Station

Tampines East Station

Upper Changi Station

Expo Station

With more lines and extensions to the rail network, 8 in 10 households will be within a 10-minute walk from a train station by 2030.

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan is also raising the bar on MRT reliability by setting the goal of achieving 1 million MKBF across all the lines by the

year 2020. * Taipei, which currently has one of the best metro systems, last year

The 21-km Downtown Line 3 (DTL3) will open on Oct 21, 2017. DTL3 comprises 16 stations, including three interchanges and will provide

more connectivity to the rest of the rail network and more accessibility around Singapore.

Replacing the ageing power supply system on the North-South and East-West Lines. When completed by 2023, it will incorporate the latest technologies

for system monitoring, diagnostics and recovery abilities.

Other ongoing improvements

Rail reliability has improved (by MKBF)

8 in 10 Homes

TrainStationBy 2030

10-minute walk

Mean distance travelled between delays > 5 min (train-km) for overall MRT Network

*excludes the delays arising from the on-going NSEWL signalling upgrade tests

Mean distance travelled between delays > 5 min (car-km) for overall LRT Network

2013: 94,000 km

2014: 93,000 km

2015: 133,000 km

2013: 58,000 km

2014: 44,000 km

2015: 42,000 km

2016: 49,000 km

First 1/2 of 2017: 74,000 km

2016: 174,000 km

First 1/2 of 2017: 393,000 km

Statistics: LTA

September 2017 21

GROUNDWORK > WOMEN’S WING

In the past year, the PAP Women’s Wing

women’s causes. Minister Grace Fu, addressing WW

members at its annual conference on July 15, said that progress included enhancements to paternity and maternity

leadership, and four women MPs and one

April this year to support the aspirations of women both in their career and family.

been debated in Parliament. Nearly 20 MPs, as well as Ministers and a Minister of

MPs also spoke with passion in support of the motion. Hence, there was unanimous support for it in the House.

work does not stop here. Women continue to be under-represented in leadership positions and on company boards, earn less than their male counterparts and face unfair societal expectations in the areas of

“We can and should continue to do more. We should continue to be the ears and eyes on the ground – to understand

need to work hard to transform these calls into tangible action. We can do so by

Applause rang out when Ms Fu, who

and Youth, threw the spotlight on Mrs Josephine Teo, who was appointed full minister in May. Mrs Teo’s appointment is

history, there are two full female Ministers

Sustained Drive for Women’s Causes

At its recent annual conference, PAP Women’s Wing members came away with a renewed sense of purpose to continue to be the voice for Singapore women and transform it into tangible courses of action.

Women’s Wing must continue to work hard to be the voice for Singapore women. Its Chairman Grace Fu hopes there will be more female ministers in the cabinet.

“We can and should continue to do more. We should continue to be the ears and eyes on the ground — to understand the needs and find out what gaps exist… besides making our voices heard, we also need to work hard to transform these calls into tangible action.”

September 201722

female Minister,” said Ms Fu, “there will be more to come!”

WW members were at Hotel Fort

Fair, which drew a record turnout of about

retired MPs Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Ellen Lee and Lim Hwee Hua.

The theme was “Singapore Women in Future Economy” and the highlight was the sharing by guest speakers who are successful women entrepreneurs, marking

were restricted to PAP members The three guest speakers, Ms Rita Zahara

Mrs Sher-Li Torrey (founder of Mums@

conference, and took turns to describe their

The audience was spell-bound when Ms Rita described how she parlayed her health

about how successfully “match-making”

focused on the importance of building trust and goodwill – “a good name is better than great riches”.

Tips from women entrepreneurs The audience also heard how

e-commerce platforms can be used to

businesses, that women entrepreneurs

networks, and that good time management is crucial.

inspired by the speakers. But what struck

her most was what Mrs Torrey said, about

company. I do my best and I feel good about it.”

other women entrepreneurs – Ms Angeline

As WW members indulged in a spot

as they were directly supporting fellow women. All of the featured businesses were set up and run by women – of course.

This year’s WW annual conference broke new ground when it invited guest speakers. The speakers, successful women entrepreneurs, shared their trials and tribulations about going into business.

September 2017 23

GROUNDWORK > YOUNG PAP

The spotlight often shines only on those at the top of the hierarchy – the MP, the branch chairman and

of a PAP branch plays equally important roles.

Addressing a group of about 100 Young PAP members who had gathered for their bi-monthly meeting on July 22,

emphasised the importance of teamwork. “For a candidate to win an election, it

you, to support them. Also, don’t think

He was one of three speakers who

outgoing YP Exco, and to the new Exco

After thanking the outgoing committee

know the ground well.”As the sole speaker from an Opposition

ward, and as the PAP candidate for

framed by the fact that the PAP team there

to work with.

working closely with the residents and grassroots leaders to keep tabs on funeral wakes to stay close to the ground. “We must

are key,” said Mr Lee, who reckons he has

years.

estimating someone’s strength”. Showing

calling on a toddler substitute who helped

help the team. You must reach out and ask!”

about how, by way of introduction to the residents, she came up with a book, titled “Memories and Dreams” which she

stressed the importance of consistency in

which his team had learnt about resident

instance, National Day is when nationalism is at a high, and is an opportune moment to remind residents about the country’s

was a prime opportunity to make women

easy to make Dads happy,” he quipped.

the residents, so they could make their presence felt.

YP members are also a good addition to mobile meet-the-people sessions, as they imbue a youthful and hip image to the party, said Mr Ngiam.

After the presentations, the assembly broke into groups to discuss how each region could enhance the YP experience.

Teamwork, flowers, wakes and other best practicesYoung PAP members gather for an afternoon to pick up some best practices from their comrades

YP Executive Committee members for 2017/2018 Appointment NameYP Advisor Chan Chun SingYP Advisor Desmond Choo Pey Ching YP Advisor Dr Tan Wu Meng YP Chairman Dr Janil Puthucheary YP Vice-Chairman Amrin AminYP Vice-Chairman Tin Pei LingYP Organising Secretary Cynthia MarkYP Deputy Organising Secretary Dr Dexter Chan Yak SengExecutive Secretary Theodora Lai Xiyi Assistant Executive Secretary Chua Wei-ShanTreasurer Chay YiowminAssistant Treasurer William Chow Kin Fai

YP Chairman Dr Janil Puthucheary urges members to stay close to the ground.

September 201724

GROUNDWORK > YOUNG PAP

Daily, fathers work long and hard to put food on the table and to give their families a better quality

of life. They play an important role in our families, from being the breadwinner to the head of the household and role model for their children.

While Father’s Day is less celebrated

Father’s Day is just as meaningful. Early on Sunday morning during this

year’s Father’s Day which fell on June 18, several YP members joined their MPs and branch activists in various constituencies to greet fathers who were out marketing or having breakfast with their families.

YP members from Punggol accompanied their MP, Minister for Education (Schools) Mr Ng Chee Meng, to Punggol Plaza where they distributed packets of snacks and wished fathers a happy Father’s Day. YP’s Chong Pang branch handed out coasters with messages of encouragement to dads at Chong Pang Market & Food Centre.

Over in Queenstown, YP members led their MP, Dr Chia Shi-Lu to take Polaroid photographs of fathers and their families at Tanglin Halt Market and ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre. Branches in Nee Soon distributed items ranging from home-baked cookies to bottle openers to the fathers.

The response was warm many families and dads, both young and old, appreciated these simple gestures which recognise the role of fathers. By and large, the dads were more bashful than the mums when YP led similar market visits on Mother’s Day. Their attitude was typical of most dads, caring for their families in their stoic way without expecting an acknowledgement.

big thank you and Happy Father’s Day!

DEXTER CHANYP deputy organising secretary and YP chairman Queenstown branch

YP members lead their branches and MPs on Father’s Day market visits

Celebrating Father’s Day

A cheery greeting from one father to another: Minister for Education (Schools) Mr Ng Chee Meng distributes tokens of appreciation to fathers in his Punggol ward.

Chong Pang YP members as they start their Father’s Day market visit.

—

September 2017 25

GROUNDWORK > PAP POLICY FORUM

SkillsFuture makes inroads

There will be assessments to help Singaporeans find their“compass” and attend training to develop their potential

A scheme that makes it easier for Singaporeans to decide on their requisite skills upgrading

will be rolled out soon, said Minister for

Mr Ong Ye Kung.

as SkillsFuture Engage, will equip Singaporeans with the necessary guidance to help them in their pursuit of lifelong learning and knowledge, he said at a dialogue organised by the PAP Policy

on the Future Economy and Skills Future held at the PAP HQ.

to attend workshops.

a person’s lack of desire to learn, and not knowing what to learn, he pointed out.

their training,” said Mr Ong. There will be personalised assessments

career paths, and the kind of skills they lack

will be suitable for them to enable them to

Don’t give up your passions He also expressed concern that

Singaporeans may forsake their passion and aptitude for things that they want to do and learn for the sake of academic

“I want to challenge and persuade

passions so quickly because we will build

“If your passion is in digital animation,

what will make the big companies hire you. SkillsFuture’s core message is about your passion and pursuing it,

the mechanism for you to progress,” emphasised Mr Ong.

One of the dialogue participants, Mr

the future are tied intimately to the future

competition.”

three PPF forums so far, found Mr Ong’s

insightful. All these will be useful when we interact with the residents.”

said its essence is about one’s passion and how one would naturally want to learn more about one’s passion and to excel in it.”

Participants say insights from the SkillsFuture dialogue will be useful when they interact with residents.

September 201726

BACKBENCHER'S BITE

Bridging Across Generations

WHO: Saktiandi bin Supaat, Member of Parliament for Toa Payoh East-Novena (TEN) and vice-chairman of Bishan-Toa

became the ward’s MP after GE2015. A former central bank economist at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, he is currently the executive vice president and head of FX Research and Strategy at Maybank Group.

WHERE: Kim Keat Palm market & food centre at Lorong 7, Toa Payoh.

ON THE MENU: Nasi padang and grass jelly drink.

Mr Saktiandi bin Supaat, or Andi to his family and Toa Payoh

began his community work in school

became president of AMP’s youth wing and

The father of three school-going children is also a former school rugby player who

contributes back to train the team. Hence,

and economic capital are not lost.

Getting youths to contributePeople fascinate me and I try to make it a point to engage

them. Inter-generational interaction is important because it strengthens our community amid modern day challenges. So,

the community by helping kids from needy families. I get them to help those with single-parent families. This, I

hope, will also imbue in them the moral value of a family unit. When they have families of their own, they will treasure it.

Our constituency’s tagline is a Caring, Vibrant and Inclusive TEN.

Hot meals and care for the elderly To promote a collaborative spirit, we encourage our very own hawkers to be involved in the

Hot Meals programme for senior residents. The hawkers provide the meals and they are paid for by vouchers.

to go to the hawker centre, interact with others and exercise before the meals. For those who are home-bound and immobile, we deliver the meals to them. We found the elderly who were receiving food at home, tended to store them in the freezer for long periods of time while those

Matching SMEs with TEN residents The SMEs in TEN and the wider Bishan-Toa

Payoh GRC are a rich source to tap for jobs. Besides government job matching initiatives, we intend to actively explore SME sectors in TEN and

in, where possible.

Making the Community future ready

I also see utmost importance for Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnic youths to seize opportunities amid a changing economic landscape. I have been meeting small groups of ITE students regularly as part of Mendaki’s Future Ready initiative, and is also currently focusing on some of the ITE students in my constituency.

Help initiatives We started the Quick Action Aid (QAA)

programme for the disadvantaged. From my home visits, we realised that many families face short-term hardship triggered by the sudden loss of a sole breadwinner, either through death or other reasons. The QAA team works with the family to

guidance on how to get temporary holistic support until the government agencies step in. Such families need good socio-economic support.

We ensure their children do not lose out on opportunities in life. After school hours, we give them a place to go to study and be protected from bad company. They can go to the community and residents’ centres for classes, as part of the Caring & Inclusive TEN approach.

Working with corporate partners, we have started the Future Leaders in the Making initiative,

skills to instill a love for technology. It also imparts leadership and motivational qualities. This has borne fruit as the kids have helped to create a Micro-bit water sensor for the community gardens. We hope to further expand this programme.

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Wsurprised that it was not to ask for help but to

said his family wanted to help residents in the rental block but did not know how to.

making up 80 per cent of his ward, Mr Yong said many of his residents are

to be the link between residents who

who need help.

BACKBENCHER'S BITEBY JANE NG

The People Connector

WHO: Melvin Yong, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC. He entered politics in September 2015 and is Director (Tripartism) and Director (Workplace Safety & Health) at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

WHERE: Pek Kio Market & Food Centre at Cambridge Road.

ON THE MENU: Carrot cake and Teh-C.

Gift of bread and other supportWe have started community self-help programmes to support

those with lower income. For example, Five Loaves is a free bread initiative launched on August 5 this year, where we encourage community organisations and individuals to sponsor bread at a discounted price from a local bakery. We managed to raise more than 18,000 loaves of bread in a single night! Families on social assistance can simply walk into the bakery and pick up a free loaf of bread.

income families. For example, instead of giving them general food donations, I decided to bring the supermarket to them. Last year, we worked with vendors to give us items on consignment and set up a makeshift supermarket at the void deck. Families were given credits to “buy” what they needed.

Community lookout Looking out for one another is

something I strongly encourage in our neighbourhood. I pay special attention to senior citizens living alone. We set up a Befrienders Programme where our grassroots leaders and fellow neighbours help to check on seniors living alone in their block. This ensures that should something happen to them, we are able to know as soon as possible.

We also connected with various exercise groups in the community to get them to informally check on one another should someone fail to turn up for their daily exercise.

Ground up efforts to champion workersAs a labour MP, I am looking at reducing

workplace fatalities and serious injuries; in particular, how to help injured workers get back to work.

We hope to set up a comprehensive case management system that brings together the injured worker, his employer and the medical team, including the physiotherapist. We want to help every injured worker recover quickly and get back on his feet again.

I visit a worksite every week to talk to both workers and employers. It allows me to better understand the issues on the ground. When I heard that bus drivers were being penalised for breaking the side mirrors of the bus, I visited the depot at 4 am and saw that not all the drivers were familiar with manoeuvring the bus inside the automated washing machine.

the drivers in moving the bus through the washing machine. As a result, mirrors are no longer broken.

Ground visits can impact change.

Credit to good teammates With three community centres

under my care and several portfolios in NTUC, the only way I can juggle it all is having good teammates. I also have a hardworking team in the town council, very experienced grassroots leaders and highly committed branch activists.

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