East Coast Plan unveiled

[jw5]

HSK visited Hi-P International.

Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·
Electric toothbrushes, new generation hair dryers and shavers, and smartphones are not only essential items in our everyday lives, but are becoming better in their designs. Singapore-based Hi-P International produces these items, in partnership with global brands, using very advanced methods in precision tooling and plastic moulding.
When I visited them last week, I saw first-hand how their drive for innovation and investments in technology have propelled them to success. Since its founding in 1980 with just six workers, the company has grown to a 23,000 strong multi-national corporation with a strong presence around the world. I met some of their workers who have been with the company for decades and have risen through the ranks. They take great pride in their work and are keen to mentor younger workers.
Hi-P Executive Chairman Mr Yao Hsiao Tung shared with me that they are looking ahead to chart an even better future. Mr Yao and his team are very entrepreneurial – they are investing in R&D and innovating, as well as entering new markets while maintaining a strong base in Singapore. I look forward to Hi-P growing from strength to strength, and deepening Singapore’s ecosystem in manufacturing. Wishing them continued success in the years ahead!

 

[jw5]

HSK was delighted to catch up with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee again.

Heng Swee Keat​

4 d ·
Delighted to catch up with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee again, over dinner co-hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore. This is CE Lee’s first visit to Singapore in his current capacity and he was accompanied by an impressive delegation of five Secretaries and prominent business leaders, many of whom are old friends of Singapore.
Singapore and Hong Kong are key trade and investment partners. Our economic ties have remained resilient over the past few years, notwithstanding COVID-19 and challenging global circumstances. We are also key nodes in our respective regions, and well-positioned to facilitate growth opportunities across Asia. Our strong and longstanding business linkages are crucial to enabling this. While governments can build institutional bridges, it is ultimately our business leaders who trade, invest and collaborate with one another to create new opportunities and good jobs for our people. I am glad that business leaders from both sides had fruitful discussions over lunch organised by the Singapore Business Federation yesterday!
Confident that our cities will continue to deepen our longstanding partnership and contribute to the vibrancy and growth of the Asian region. I wish Chief Executive Lee and his delegation successful onward travels!

 

[jw5]

HSK applauds Mdm Lim’s verve for learning and trying new things.

Heng Swee Keat​

12 h ·
Meet Mdm Lim, the unofficial ambassador for HeartbeatBedok and role model for lifelong learning!
Mdm Lim is in her 60s and spends much of her time at Heartbeat@Bedok taking part in digital workshops, activities and aqua aerobics exercises.
When I met her at the East Coast Digital Festival last month, she was learning about the difference between PayNow and PayLah, and enthusiastically shared with me that she had used her SkillsFuture credits to learn how to use these banking apps. As the Chinese saying goes “活到老，学到老” — one is never too old to learn. I applaud Mdm Lim’s verve for learning and trying new things!
Our community spaces, such as Heartbeat@Bedok, enable our residents young and old to gather to learn, connect and build friendships. This strong community bond is what makes East Coast a caring and vibrant home for our residents!

 

[jw5]

HSK was delighted to join East Coast residents in celebrating Harmony Day.

Heng Swee Keat​

10 h ·
Delighted to join East Coast residents in celebrating Harmony Day at Bedok CC last weekend!
Explored the booths which showcased our multicultural society and enjoyed the many performances such as wushu, Dikir Barat, and Indian dance. Also saw many residents having fun playing childhood games like goli (marbles) and five stones – sure brought back many fond memories!
In a world facing more divisive forces, our harmonious multiracial and multicultural society is all the more precious. Let us cherish our rich diversity and always work tougher to keep Singapore peaceful and cohesive.
Thank you to all the volunteers and performers for their participation and to Bedok Harmony Circles and Changi Simei Harmony Circle for organising this event! Do keep a lookout on the notice boards or the We Love Bedok Facebook Page for more activities at our Vibrant East Coast!

 

[jw5]

HSK glad to have met some photographers.

Heng Swee Keat​

3 h ·
What is it like to look back at Singapore’s nation-building years, through the lens of photographers?
Got a glimpse of this at the ‘Our Glorious Century’ photo exhibition, held in commemoration of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s 100th birth anniversary. A total of 100 images were contributed by different local photographic societies. Collectively, the photographs capture Singapore’s development over the decades as a vibrant metropolis with a rich and diverse cultural heritage. There were nostalgic images from the past, as well as unique snapshots of our latest landmarks such as the Singapore Sports Hub and Jewel Changi Airport.
Glad to also have met some of the photographers who shared interesting anecdotes about the images they captured. I thank the Chui Huay Lim Club 醉花林俱乐部 for hosting the exhibition, and local wind-percussion ensemble Reverberance 回响 - 吹打团 for commemorating the occasion with a wonderful performance!

 

[jw5]

HSK joined students, teachers and volunteers of The Hindi Society, Singapore at the recent Hindi Centres Day.

Heng Swee Keat​

3 h ·
Joined students, teachers and volunteers of The Hindi Society, Singapore at the recent Hindi Centres Day. We celebrated the students’ academic achievements in the Hindi language, and thanked the dedicated teachers and volunteers for patiently nurturing our young ones in their learning journey.
Similar to the Chinese and Malay communities, our Indian community is diverse and vibrant, with most of them coming from south India and speaking Tamil. But we also recognise the importance of the mother tongue languages in connecting us to our values, culture and heritage. So after Mr Tiwari, one of our most dedicated lawyers in public service, raised the issue with then-Minister for Education Dr Tony Tan, we began to offer Hindi and four other non-Tamil Indian languages in schools.
Our mother tongue languages go hand-in-hand with the use of English as a common medium to share insights from our respective cultures and learn about others. By cross-sharing and cross-learning, we open our minds to new things, and build empathy for those who are different from us. I am glad that the Hindi Society makes the effort to build ties and foster interactions beyond their own circles. This is how we can sustain and strengthen Singapore’s harmonious multiracial and multicultural society. Keep up the good work!

 

[jw5]

HSK enjoyed an evening of uniquely Singaporean music.

Heng Swee Keat​

5 h ·
Enjoyed an evening of uniquely Singaporean music at Jazz Association - SG “Kaleidoscope: An Asian Jazz Odyssey” concert last weekend!
The concert commemorated Racial Harmony Day with a line-up of tunes such as “Lion’s Roar”, “Little India” and “Pulau Ujong”. JASS Music Director and Cultural Medallion recipient Jeremy Monteiro and Associate Music Director Chok Kerong’s fusion jazz ensemble were joined by musicians from DRUM FENG, vocalists Khor Ai Ming and Rudy Djoe, as well as dancers from Bhaskar's Arts Academy. The performances, which included some commissioned pieces, were a beautiful blend of cultures and influences, resulting in a distinctive Singapore sound that pays tribute to our diverse multicultural society.
My heartiest congratulations to Jeremy and Chok for yet another successful concert, and wish them the best in fostering new collaborations and creating a uniquely Singaporean genre of jazz!

 

[jw5]

HSK wants to strengthen our healthcare capabilities.

Heng Swee Keat​

2 d ·
One of our goals in growing Singapore’s ecosystem for scientific research is to strengthen our healthcare capabilities. With more advanced medical knowledge, we can take better care of those afflicted with illnesses like cancer which is one of the leading causes of death in Singapore.
Earlier this week, I was introduced to some of the cutting-edge cancer research being undertaken by the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore). Professor Ashok Venkitaraman and his team are doing good work ‘CSI-ing’ the behaviour of different cancer cells and how they respond to treatment. In addition, they are tapping on technology and automation to pursue novel areas of research with tremendous potential. I was also happy to meet young PhD students who shared fascinating stories on what inspired them to take an interest in a complex field like cancer research.
I look forward to the team at CSI Singapore unlocking new frontiers in cancer research, and translating research outcomes into real-world clinical applications, in the years ahead!

 

[jw5]

HSK kicked off National Day celebrations.

Heng Swee Keat is with Jessica Tan Soon Neo and
2 others
.​

2 h ·
Kicked off National Day celebrations with the exuberant crowd at the East Coast National Day Carnival at HeartbeatBedok yesterday! Glad to see many families enjoying the performances, carnival games, bouncy castles, kiddy rides and snacks!
Also on display were the 58 winning entries of the “I Love East Coast” contest. Through vibrant artwork and creative videos, our residents captured what they found most Caring, Vibrant and Green in East Coast — from the lovely beaches and playgrounds at East Coast Park, to their neighbours and communities. Congratulations to all winners!
I also shared with residents that the old KCC community centre will be repurposed into a new community space. This will create even more opportunities for families and neighbours to gather and meet new friends.
Many thanks to our partners, including Heartbeat@Bedok, SG Digital Office, National Library Board, Singapore, Sport Singapore, PCF Sparkletots and Bedok Green Secondary School for putting together a wonderful carnival for our residents. Let’s keep this community spirit strong and fly our flag high!

 

[jw5]

HSK joined a vibrant and energetic crowd.

Heng Swee Keat is with Team Nila and
9 others
.​

1 d ·
Joined a vibrant and energetic crowd at the GetActive! Singapore Heartland Festival at ActiveSG Bedok Sport Centre yesterday to continue our National Day celebrations in East Coast!

Great to see many families making new friends, enjoying the carnival games and sports activities, and learning more about the heritage of East Coast. Residents also picked up useful tips on how to lead healthier and greener lives. Thanks to Sport Singapore and partners, as well as Team Nila volunteers, for making the Festival a fun and memorable experience for everyone!
There will also be aerial flypasts and fireworks at ActiveSG Bedok Sport Centre on National Day. Do head down with your loved ones on 9 August to join in the festivities!

#VibrantEastCoast #OnwardAsOne #NDP2023

 

[jw5]

HSK is ready!

Heng Swee Keat​

1 h ·
All ready for #NDP2023!

Thanks to SG Enable for my outfit!

 

[jw5]

HSK wishes Happy Birthday to Singapore.

Heng Swee Keat is with Lee Hsien Loong and Ng Eng Hen.​

1 d ·
Happy 58th Birthday, Singapore!
Wonderful to be back at the Padang for the National Day Parade and Show. This year’s theme, “Onward as One”, is a reminder of our collective ownership over Singapore’s future, and how we must continue to build our shared future together as one united people. These are the values that Mr Lee Kuan Yew and our founding fathers have stood for, and passed on to successive generations. Let us always stand together, heart to heart, to build a better Singapore.
A big thank you to the performers, staff, volunteers, and support and security personnel for your hard work and dedication over the past few months. You put together a spectacular show which brought the nation together in celebration!
Happy National Day, and Majulah Singapura!
#NDP2023
#OnwardAsOne

 

[jw5]

HSK had a scrumptious dinner.

Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·
Celebrated National Day with over 1,800 Bedok residents over a lively and scrumptious dinner a few days ago!
We revelled in National Day songs, performances from various partners, and conversations with old friends and neighbours! It’s so lovely to see our students, from pre-schools, primary school and ITE, putting up excellent performances. We also celebrated our grassroots leaders, volunteers and community partners, who have been working hard to support our residents and make East Coast a more vibrant, caring and green community. Big thanks to everyone for your service to our residents and neighbours! Let us continue to build a more caring, multi-cultural society, and keep our community spirit strong!

 

[jw5]

HSK thanks all volunteers.

Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·
What does a “Caring East Coast” mean for our residents?
The first instalment of “Our Bedok Our Stories” video series features our bi-weekly food distribution and free haircuts for our seniors. Through these simple but heartfelt initiatives, our volunteers ensure that our residents remain well and cared for within the community. In turn, our volunteers get to know their neighbours better and are further inspired by the appreciation they receive for their “heart” work!
A big thank you to all our volunteers; Let us continue to build a caring and inclusive community for all in East Coast!

 

[jw5]

HSK attended the Singapore Symphony Orchestra National Day Concert.

Heng Swee Keat​

59 m ·
Attended the Singapore Symphony Orchestra National Day Concert over the weekend!
Now into its 6th year, the concert featured a repertoire of specially commissioned music by local composers, including a moving finale of the NDP 2021 theme song “The Road Ahead”.
As always, there is a lovely infusion of local cultural elements into the music. I especially enjoyed the visual accompaniment of students’ artworks during the performance of “Day In The Lion City”, which depicts various aspects of our lived experience in Singapore, from our multicultural heritage, to our tropical thunderstorms!
Thank you to the composers, artists and musicians for transporting us through time and memories with your exceptional performances!

You can watch the concert here: https://www.youtube.com/live/ZuYb0ni6iKE

 

[jw5]

HSK encourages everyone to watch the series: https://youtube.com/playlist...

3 h ·
Most of us try to practise the principle of “saving for a rainy day” for our personal finances.
Singapore is fortunate that our founding fathers had the foresight and discipline to do the same, by setting aside resources to build up a contingency fund that can buffer us against the unexpected.
The COVID-19 crisis was Singapore’s rainy day. We committed $100 billion, and eventually drew down some $40 billion from past reserves to save lives and livelihoods. We did this without having to borrow a single cent, and burdening future generations. As a Singaporean and the then-Minister for Finance, I am grateful that our reserves enabled us to do this.
We must continue to maintain this discipline and not squander away the hard work of generations of Singaporeans. The 2-part CNA documentary provides more insights into how we built up our national reserves, the policies to safeguard it, and what lies ahead.
I encourage everyone to watch the series: https://youtube.com/playlist...

 

[jw5]

HSK had a meaningful National Day celebration earlier this week.

Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·
Had a meaningful National Day celebration earlier this week with seniors from the Thye Hua Kwan Active Ageing Centre @ Bedok Radiance.
During the event, we launched the micro-jobs initiative for seniors, an innovative partnership between Centre for Seniors Agency for Integrated Care - AIC Singapore, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities and Lions Befrienders. Through micro-jobs, seniors can engage in purposeful work to help fellow seniors in the community while also earning some pocket money. What a wonderful way for our seniors to keep active and contribute to building a caring community where residents look out for one another!

 

[jw5]

HSK encouraged seniors to opt for the EASE (Enhancement for Active Seniors) programme.

Heng Swee Keat​

3 d ·
Minor enhancements at home can make a major difference to our daily lives.
I shared this with Bedok Orchid RC residents during the Housing & Development Board's Home Improvement Programme (HIP) engagement over the weekend. Glad to hear that residents are looking forward to this programme, which includes maintenance and improvements to their flats and blocks.
I also encouraged seniors to opt for the EASE (Enhancement for Active Seniors) programme, which will provide enhancements such as grab bars and slip-resistant bathroom tiles in their homes. I shared with them my experience of recovering from a stroke years ago, and how such features provided ease of mind. Through HIP, we can make our homes even safer and more comfortable.
For residents residing in the blocks offered HIP, do share your thoughts via the straw poll before 21 August: https://go.gov.sg/bsa2hipsurvey

 

[jw5]

HSK asks you to be a volunteer.

Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·
Keen to do something meaningful during the weekends? Come join a group of volunteers in Bedok, who dedicate their time to support children from low-income and single-parent families!
I recently met Joyelle and Deborah from TOUCH Young Arrows (TYA). Together with their fellow volunteers, they meet the children regularly to coach them in their studies, as well as conduct games and other fun activities that build character, resilience and social skills. As mentors and role models, they encourage every child to realise his or her potential, and make a difference to their lives. Kudos to our young volunteers for their dedication and compassion!
I hope that more will step forward to join Joyelle, Deborah and other volunteers in building a caring East Coast. You can find out more and register here: https://go.gov.sg/tyabedokvolunteer
TOUCH Community Services

 

[jw5]

HSK wants to build a better Singapore.

Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·
In his National Day Rally this evening, PM Lee Hsien Loong touched on key issues of concern to Singaporeans — cost of living, retirement adequacy, active ageing and affordable public housing — and how the government will tackle them. From the Majulah Package and Age Well SG, to enhancements to our public housing schemes, these initiatives give assurance to Singaporeans that across different life stages, the government will look out for their well-being and make Singapore a better home for all.
As PM said, we are an unlikely nation created out of the sheer will of our people. We have weathered storms, anchored by our values and mutual trust, and repeatedly rode new waves to secure success and prosperity.
Our best days are ahead of us. With a continuous new spirit — semangat yang baru — let us work together to build an even better Singapore for generations to come!
(MCI Photo by Betty Chua)