East Coast Plan unveiled

[jw5]

HSK congratulates Concordia Quartet.

Heng Swee Keat​

12 h ·
Thoroughly enjoyed the Concordia Quartet concert "Epic Soundscapes" at Victoria Concert Hall last week. Concordia is a home-grown chamber group made up of dedicated young musicians, (L-R) Edward Tan (1st violin), Kim Kyu Ri (2nd violin), Lin Juan (cello) and Martin Peh (viola). The quartet, formed just three years ago, treated the audience to a repertoire of Beethoven, Kilar and Brahms. While the classical music audience in most countries are greying, I was heartened to see many young people in the audience – there is a bright future for classical music in Singapore!
Congratulations to Concordia Quartet on a lovely performance. May you continue to grow and contribute to Singapore’s vibrant music scene!
(Photo by Joel Chew/Concordia Quartet)

 

[jw5]

HSK gives big thanks.

Heng Swee Keat is with Singapore Airlines.​

1 d ·
Congratulations to Carlos Sainz and the Ferrari team for winning the race in an exhilarating finale at this year’s F1 Singapore Grand Prix!

It’s wonderful to see Singapore’s vibrant cityscape abuzz these past few days, welcoming fans and spectators from all corners of the globe to witness the 14th edition of our unique night race that has put us on the global sporting map. I also enjoyed reconnecting with foreign counterparts and friends, as well as global business leaders, who were here to join in the festivities!
A big thanks to the teams at the Ministry of Trade & Industry, Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore Police Force and all other government agencies and volunteers for ensuring that this year’s night race was once again a smooth and roaring success!

 

[jw5]

HSK met the pioneer members of Singapore’s first patient panel for respiratory medical research.

Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·
Met the pioneer members of Singapore’s first patient panel for respiratory medical research today. They are patients of a new research centre focused on addressing lung diseases — The Academic Respiratory Initiative for Pulmonary Health (TARIPH) Centre for Respiratory Research Excellence, spearheaded by NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine.
The TARIPH centre brings together doctors, scientists, industry partners, policy makers and patients, to enhance clinical knowledge on respiratory diseases through research. These patients contribute as research partners, sharing their experiences and insights, as well as providing input on research to better understand and develop treatments for lung conditions. It was inspiring to hear about their determination to live life to the fullest, notwithstanding their respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchiectasis.
I’m confident that this innovative collaboration approach will enable TARIPH Centre to yield new insights on respiratory conditions and enhance the care and well being of patients in Singapore and beyond.
My heartiest congratulations to TARIPH on the launch!
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

 

[jw5]

HSK wants to work together to honour Mr Lee’s legacy.

Heng Swee Keat​

8 h ·
Mr Lee Kuan Yew is often also known as Singapore’s “Chief Gardener”. He launched our first tree planting campaign 60 years ago, and introduced the “Garden City” vision in 1967.
It was thus fitting that ST Engineering, as part of their Green Day celebrations yesterday, planted 100 research trees of native species to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Mr Lee.
Building a green, sustainable and highly liveable Singapore requires collective effort. Through its innovation and research efforts, ST Engineering is contributing new insights into carbon sequestration and biodiversity. I was also glad to learn that ST Engineering has pledged $1 million over five years to this annual tree-planting event.
Let us continue to work together to honour Mr Lee’s legacy, and build an even more sustainable and liveable home for ourselves and our future generations.

 

[jw5]

HSK wishes Team Singapore all the best.

Heng Swee Keat​

1 h ·
All the best to our Team Singapore athletes at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou!
With 431 athletes competing in 32 different sports, this will be our largest contingent at the Asian Games to date. It’s nice to learn that there are 33 athletes from East Coast GRC in a variety of sports – from athletics, rugby and sailing to mind sports like esports and bridge!
There will be live screenings of the Asian Games at HeartbeatBedok and selected CCs, so do head down with your family and friends to cheer on our athletes! All the best to our athletes!
#OneTeamSG #OneTeamOneDream
East Coast Buzz
We Love Bedok
(Photos by SportSG)

 

[jw5]

HSK wishes the Brahm Centre all the best.

Heng Swee Keat is with Jessica Tan Soon Neo.​

10 h ·
Delighted to join my fellow Adviser Jessica Tan Soon Neo to witness the official opening of Brahm Centre’s newest branch in Simei, which will serve even more seniors and youths in East Coast!
I enjoyed participating in the movement therapy and mindfulness sessions during my visit to the centre over the weekend. These are some of the initiatives and services the centre offers to promote physical and mental well-being for residents. Besides supporting the well-being of residents, the centre also offers many opportunities for our youths to contribute their time meaningfully through internship and volunteering. I was heartened to hear that the youth volunteers found their training and internship experience equipped them with skills that were useful in their daily lives!
I wish the Brahm Centre all the best and hope they continue the good work of empowering our people to live mindfully, with gratitude and empathy. This is how we can collectively build a more caring and vibrant community!

 

[jw5]

HSK can attest to the important role rehab plays in a patient’s road to recovery.

Heng Swee Keat​

1 h ·
I am a grateful beneficiary of rehabilitation medicine after my stroke in 2016, and can attest to the important role rehab plays in a patient’s road to recovery. Happy to experience some of the latest rehab innovations and technologies at the RehabWeek 2023, which is held in Asia for the first time, and coincides with the 50th anniversary of rehab medicine in SG!
Rehab enables patients to regain their functions after injuries or medical events like strokes. This is increasingly pertinent given ageing societies across the world. Here in SG, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) pioneered rehabilitation medicine, and continues to drive innovation and excellence, including through the Rehabilitation Research Institute of Singapore.
As with other areas, an interdisciplinary approach is driving new breakthroughs and pushing the boundaries of rehab services. RehabWeek, which bring clinicians, researchers, engineers and businesses together, provides an excellent platform for collaboration and innovation. I welcomed everyone to tap on Singapore’s strong ecosystem and linkages to explore new opportunities, build new ventures, and grow our collective impact to benefit all around the world.
Wishing everyone a fruitful week at the conference!

 

[jw5]

HSK makes snowskin mooncakes.

Heng Swee Keat​

8 h ·
Making new friends while making mooncakes is a wonderful way to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival!

I tried my hand at making snowskin mooncakes during a community event over the weekend — it takes skill and practice to produce nicely-shaped mooncakes! My thanks to the Bedok Women’s Executive Committee (WEC) volunteers at Bedok CC — including Julie, Lidya and Caroline in this video — for teaching me how to make these delectable delights!
We Love Bedok
East Coast Buzz

 

[jw5]

HSK wishes everyone a Mid-Autumn Festival filled with warmth and togetherness.

Heng Swee Keat​

11 h ·
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for joyful gatherings and lantern-lit walks. It was wonderful to see our Bedok neighbours and families coming together and getting to know one another over mooncakes, tea and lanterns! Some of them even brought their own mats for a picnic under the moon and stars at the Lucky Heights playground.
Wishing everyone a Mid-Autumn Festival filled with warmth and togetherness.
今天是中秋节，我希望大家能在这个花好月圆的日子，与家人共度美好时光。祝愿大家中秋节快乐！
We Love Bedok
East Coast Buzz

 

[jw5]

Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·

Mid-Autumn under the moonlight with residents at Lucky Heights!

 

[jw5]

HSK congratulates Lianhe Zaobao.

Heng Swee Keat is with Lee Bee Wah and MParader.​

6 h ·
Congratulations to Lianhe Zaobao 联合早报 on your 100th anniversary!
Over the past century, Zaobao has documented Singapore's development as well as regional and global affairs. It also plays a pivotal role in promoting bilingualism and our unique local Chinese culture.
I am also glad that Zaobao, in embracing digital transformation, has also successfully expanded its footprint beyond Singapore. With a global readership, Zaobao’s reporting and analyses from Singapore’s vantage point offer valuable perspectives that can help to deepen understanding across countries and cultures.
All the best to Lianhe Zaobao, and may you continue to break new ground in your second century!
很高兴出席《联合早报》百年报庆的晚宴，与许多“早报人”一同回顾《早报》的百年历程。
《早报》走过世纪，不仅记载了世界各地发生的大小事，更传载着新加坡历史的点点滴滴。
通过《早报》深度的新闻报道和时事评论，以新加坡视角为读者传递信息，分析天下事。此外，《早报》也积极推广使用母语以及我们独特的华族文化，在加强国人的身份认同感和社会凝聚力方面，功不可没。
《早报》百年如新，善用科技和数码平台，吸引遍布世界的读者群。我相信《早报》在未来的世纪里，能继续创新以应对时代变迁，继续成为新闻媒体业转型的楷模。
在此，我祝贺《联合早报》创刊100周年志庆，并在扎实的基础上，再创辉煌！

 

[jw5]

HSK congratulates Shanti and Team Singapore.

Heng Swee Keat​

21 h ·
Heartiest congratulations to Shanti Pereira for clinching the gold medal in the women’s 200m final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou — our first athletics gold medal at the Games since 1974!
Shanti, who is a East Coast resident, has shown us where sheer perseverance and determination can take us.
Well done, Shanti and Team Singapore!

#OneTeamSG
#OneTeamOneDream
(Photo by SNOC/Kong Chong Yew)

 

[jw5]

HSK congratulates the Silver Generation Office (SGO) East Coast Satellite Office.

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

2 d ·
Congratulations to the Silver Generation Office (SGO) East Coast Satellite Office on your 9th anniversary!
SGO and our Silver Generation Ambassadors (SGAs) are at the forefront of caring for our seniors, and empowering them to remain active, healthy and engaged within the community. During my house visits, seniors speak warmly of the positive impact that the SGAs make to their lives, so it was wonderful to also hear our SGAs share touching and meaningful stories from their volunteering work, and how they went beyond the call of duty to serve the community — well done!
With our rapidly ageing population, SGO and our SGAs play an important role in supporting our seniors and building closer community bonds across generations. My thanks to SGO East Coast Satellite Office and our SGAs for your heart (and hard) work in shaping a caring and vibrant East Coast!

 

[jw5]

HSK wishes for young ones to always be curious, kind, and brave.

Heng Swee Keat​

9 h ·
Happy Children's Day!
I always look forward to meeting and chatting with my young residents during walkabouts and constituency events. Their exuberance and limitless sense of wonder bring joy and liven up our day!
Our children are our future, and all of the work that the government does is about building a better home and a brighter future for the generations to come.
To our young ones, my wish is for you to always be curious, kind, and brave – this will set you well for whatever adventures that life brings!

 

[jw5]

HSK was happy to join Thales to celebrate its 50th anniversary in Singapore a few days ago.

Heng Swee Keat is with Amy Khor.​

7 h ·
Thales is known for its expertise in aviation, space, and digital security. From air traffic management systems to the fare gates at many of our MRT stations and the bank cards we use for transactions, Thales’ technology is present in many facets of our daily lives.
Happy to join Thales to celebrate its 50th anniversary in Singapore a few days ago. Thales began operations in Singapore in 1973 – when our international airport was still at Paya Lebar! Today, its Singapore presence is 2000 strong, across regional headquarters, innovation and manufacturing activities. Singapore is also Thales’ Centre of Excellence for avionics manufacturing, and the largest centre for avionics maintenance.
I am delighted to learn that Thales intends to deepen capabilities and expand its presence by another 1,000 employees over the three years. This reflects the deep trust and strong collaboration we have built up over the years, including through joint labs with our agencies and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. It will not just create exciting opportunities for our people, but also enable Thales to serve its existing and new customers better.
Congratulations to Thales on your half century in Singapore! Let us deepen our fruitful partnership, and continue to break new ground together!

 

[jw5]

HSK thanks his fellow panellists.

Heng Swee Keat is with 馬英九.​

1 d ·
Mr Lee Kuan Yew was a leader of extraordinary foresight and wisdom. His views were sought after by global leaders, even though he’s never minced his words. Why is this so?
In my opinion, it is because Mr Lee, beneath his clear-eyed analysis of power and geopolitics, had always stressed the importance of achieving mutual benefits and safeguarding strategic long-term interests through multilateral and international cooperation. This is especially salient for a small country like Singapore, so Mr Lee built strong ties with regional and international counterparts, and contributed to shaping a multilateral, rules-based architecture favourable to the small nations like Singapore.
I thank my fellow panellists, former Australian PM John Howard; Founder and Chairman of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation 馬英九; as well as moderator Lee Huay Leng, Editor-In-Chief of the Chinese Media Group at SPH Media, for a lively discussion on Mr Lee Kuan Yew's contributions to the development of Asia and global relations at the SPH Asia Future Summit.
I hope that we will continue to draw inspiration from Mr Lee’s wisdom, and deepen cooperation among countries to seize opportunities, address common challenges, and create better lives for our people.
Read my speech here: https://go.gov.sg/hsk-afs2023
And the dialogue here: https://go.gov.sg/dialogue-afs2023
(MCI Photos by Betty Chua)

 

[jw5]

HSK congratulates Team Singapore.

Heng Swee Keat​

8 h ·
A big congratulations to all our Team Singapore athletes for a strong showing and a job well done at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou!

Over the past two weeks, our athletes gave their all to bring back medals, game records and personal bests. Each of you is a shining example of what can be achieved through passion, perseverance, and teamwork.
Thank you for flying our flag high, Team Singapore!
#OneTeamSG
#OneTeamOneDream

 

[jw5]

HSK says hello from New York.

Heng Swee Keat is in New York.​

6 h ·
Hello from New York!
Am here to attend the GIC Investment Forum. It is the first in-person meeting since 2019, so I’m happy to meet up with many old friends and acquaintances. We had insightful sessions with leading members of the investment community, who shared valuable perspectives on the macroeconomic and geopolitical outlook, as well as opportunities in the infrastructure and sustainability space. A firm grasp of the risks and opportunities in today’s volatile global environment will better enable GIC to further the mission of safeguarding Singapore’s financial future.
(MCI Photo by Ngau Kai Yan)

 

[jw5]

HSK spotted some vibrant shades.

Heng Swee Keat is in Boston, MA, United States.​

9 h ·
The fall foliage is a highlight in most temperate countries. It’s still a little early here in Boston, but I managed to spot some vibrant shades of red, orange and gold!

(Photos by me)

 

[jw5]

HSK wishes Tan Chong Meng Happy Retirement.

Heng Swee Keat​

23 h ·
Happy retirement, Tan Chong Meng, Group CEO of PSA International!
Chong Meng has been instrumental in transforming PSA from an international port operator to a key player in global supply chain, anchoring Singapore’s status as a choice node. PSA played a critical role during the COVID pandemic, keeping our supply chains resilient and ensuring the continued flow of goods into and through Singapore.
Chong Meng also co-chaired the Emerging Stronger Taskforce (EST) which I convened in 2020 to chart Singapore's long-term economy amidst the structural shifts caused by the pandemic. For his unstinting contributions, Chong Meng was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (COVID-19), the highest honour under the National Awards (COVID-19).
It has been my privilege working with Chong Meng, who is exemplary in his public-spiritedness. I wish him the best as he enters the next phase of life, and am sure he will continue to contribute in many ways.
(With Chong Meng at PSA Singapore’s Golf Invitational Dinner in July. / MCI Photo by Liu Ying)