East Coast Plan unveiled

[jw5]

HSK was at the Teochew Cultural and Food Festival at Ngee Ann City.

Heng Swee Keat​

4 d ·
Food, music, and cultural performances are key ways we get to experience and partake in Singapore’s rich multicultural diversity.
Was at the Teochew Cultural and Food Festival at Ngee Ann City this morning. The food stalls featured a delectable selection of well-loved Teochew dishes, including some prepared by chefs from Chaozhou, China. We also enjoyed a captivating performance of Teochew opera; glad to see younger members in the audience enthralled by the vibrant costumes and dramatic moves!
Thanks to the Teochew Federation (Singapore) and 義安文化中心 Ngee Ann Cultural Centre for presenting this distinctively Teochew experience. The Festival will run till this Sunday, and I encourage everyone to visit and learn more about the Teochew community’s vibrant heritage!

 

[jw5]

HSK had a fun day out.

Heng Swee Keat is with Jessica Tan Soon Neo and Dr Maliki Osman.​

1 d ·
Joined East Coast residents for a fun day out at Pulau Ubin last Saturday!
Celebrated our rich multicultural heritage by launching a restored Malay Kampung House — it will soon become a community landmark for visitors to come and learn more about the island’s history. My thanks to NParks, Loyang Tua Pek Kong and other community partners for leading this ground-up initiative.
Residents were also invited to take part in a traditional Malay wedding ceremony, and enjoyed kampung games, cultural performances and delightful treats! We planted 150 trees together, to contribute towards NParks’ One Million Trees movement.
Our annual Ubin Day encapsulates the spirit of a Caring, Green and Vibrant East Coast. Many thanks to our residents and community partners for tending to Ubin’s natural beauty and unique history, supporting the wonderful restoration projects and activities, and looking out for one another!
We Love Bedok
East Coast Buzz

 

[jw5]

HSK was happy to join Nanofilm Technologies International Limited and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore to launch their new corporate lab on Tuesday!

Heng Swee Keat​

8 h ·
Partnerships between industry and academia are critical in strengthening Singapore’s research, innovation and enterprise ecosystem. Corporate labs, which bring our universities and industry leaders together to develop new breakthroughs and market-relevant solutions, represent one such partnership.
Happy to join Nanofilm Technologies International Limited and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore to launch their new corporate lab on Tuesday! This is a special one — the first that NTU has set up with its own spinoff. Prof Shi Xu founded Nanofilm in 1999 when he was teaching at NTU. Today, as Singapore’s first deep-tech unicorn, Nanofilm has returned “home” with this collaboration!
Through the lab, NTU and Nanofilm will jointly pursue next-generation nanotechnology research in coating technologies, advanced materials, nanofabrication and hydrogen energy. This could help unlock new innovations to advance progress in clean energy, semiconductors, and medical and optical applications!
Heartiest congratulations to NTU and Nanofilm on this milestone! I look forward to the new lab’s fruitful contributions to the growing deep tech ecosystem in Singapore in the years ahead. May this partnership also inspire many others to harness collaboration and innovation for positive impact!

 

[jw5]

HSK caught up with residents and stallholders.

Heng Swee Keat​

21 November at 09:13 ·
Spent Saturday morning at Blk 16 Bedok South market catching up with residents and stallholders. Happy to see many families catching up over breakfast and lunch at the hawker centre and welcoming the weekend together.
I shared more about the government’s latest Cost-of-Living Support Package, which builds on earlier support measures, to help Singaporeans cope with the impact of price increases. Singaporean households can expect additional Community Development Council (CDC) Vouchers in the next few months, and eligible households will also benefit from more U-Save and service and conservancy charges (S&CC) rebates. You can find out more here: https://www.govbenefits.gov.sg/
Also took the opportunity to remind residents to sign up for Healthier SG, stay active and take care of themselves. Heartened to hear many of them making plans to exercise with friends and family over the weekend.
Wishing everyone a good week ahead!

 

[jw5]

HSK wants to continually refresh and update policies, while holding discipline and humility.

Heng Swee Keat​

7 h ·
This weekend, we joined the People's Action Party Policy Forum in its final edition of PPF | Insights, where we discussed how Singapore can continue to remain relevant and shine on the world stage.
To secure Singapore’s survival and continued progress, our nation building has been driven by three immutable principles of governance of our founding Secretary-General Lee Kuan Yew:

We must always secure Singapore’s interests by standing firm and remaining principled.

We must always create space and secure global mindshare to prove our relevance and usefulness to the world.

We must ensure domestic success through good governance, to keep Singapore credible and successful.
Looking ahead to the future, we must continually refresh and update policies, while holding discipline and humility. Together with an exceptional mindset and outward-looking spirit, we will ensure Singapore continues to shine.
#PAP4SG #TeamPAP #PPFInsights #LKY100

 

[jw5]

HSK was delighted to join Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) at its Ready for School Project's.

Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·
“一人一点心，社会更温馨” — when each of us gives a little, our collective impact will build a more caring society.
Delighted to join Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) at its Ready for School Project's yesterday, this is their 20th edition! This community project has been supporting beneficiaries in preparing for the upcoming school year, with school-related necessities such as transport vouchers, textbooks, and even haircuts. For parents, there were free health screenings and many family bonding activities!
The Ready for School project is one of the many CDAC programmes and initiatives that support our children, youth, families, and seniors. I am especially heartened to see many former beneficiaries return to volunteer and mentor, as a way to give back to the community! Thank you also to the many partners and volunteers who have contributed their time and resources to make the project a success. Together, we can build and sustain a caring community!
“A little from all 一人一点心” by CDAC 华社自助理事会

 

[jw5]

HSK got his coin.

Heng Swee Keat​

2 d ·
Got my $10 Commemorative Coin launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to commemorate the 100th Birth Anniversary of Mr Lee Kuan Yew! This is a meaningful memento that pays tribute to Mr Lee’s extraordinary contributions to Singapore.
From today till 31 Dec, you can walk into selected bank branches if you wish to purchase your own! More details at: https://go.gov.sg/mas-lky100coin

 

[jw5]

HSK had a wonderful time.

Heng Swee Keat​

3 d ·
Had a wonderful time at the ChildAid Concert organised by The Straits Times and The Business Times last evening! Many talented performers, some as young as 6, lit up the stage with wonderful performances for a good cause to benefit their peers from low-income families.
We enjoyed an immersive experience — mysteries unfolded across 3 stages and the audience was invited to solve them together with the performers. Set in pre-independence Singapore of the 1930s, the musical numbers spanned a range of eras and genres, including jazz, ballads, and even yodelling!
And it was fun and games with a purpose — funds raised will go towards the ST School Pocket Money Fund and the BT Budding Artists Fund, to support students and the next generation of artistic talents from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Congratulations to the SPH Media team for organising a successful event!
As we close out 2023, let us also reflect on how we can play our part to support and uplift others in society. Those who wish to contribute to ChildAid 2023 can do so here: https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/trcl_childaid2023

 

[jw5]

HSK was pleased to meet UK Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Member of Parliament Wes Streeting.

Heng Swee Keat​

3 d ·
Singapore and the UK are Strategic Partners and we cooperate closely across multiple fields. Our bilateral cooperation has broadened and deepened over the years. We have strengthened already robust partnerships in the economic, defence and education spheres, and expanded into new areas such as climate, sustainability and the green economy.
I was pleased to meet UK Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Member of Parliament Wes Streeting earlier today. Mr Streeting is visiting Singapore under the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship to learn more about Singapore’s healthcare and social services system. We agreed that Singapore and the UK should continue to share our experiences and learn from each other, to find new areas where we can cooperate and build an even stronger partnership.
Mr Streeting is leaving Singapore tonight, having visited our healthcare institutions and aged care facilities. I am glad that Mr Streeting has found his visit productive and wish him a safe journey back to the UK.
(MCI Photo by Lim Sin Thai)

 

[jw5]

HSK had a timely discussion.

Heng Swee Keat​

4 d ·
When I last met former President of Armenia Dr Armen Sarkissian in 2021, we had a good discussion on the importance of science and technology, and how research and innovation can help build a better world.
I was therefore happy to join Dr Sarkissian and the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine to delve deeper into healthcare, wellness and longevity in the 21st century at the inaugural Advanced Tomorrow (ATOM) 2023 Singapore Summit earlier this week. This was a timely discussion to have as we continue to draw lessons globally from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The future of health will be shaped by 3 overarching trends — ageing demographics, rapid technological advances, and an increasingly fragile world. To best advance, we need to take a more holistic approach to health — going beyond just combating disease to look at enabling healthy longevity and healthful lives. This will require collaboration across borders as well as different domains — medicine, public health, engineering, and data and social sciences. Our research institutes like the Centre for Healthy Longevity - CHL are actively engaged in this space, and there is much more that can be done.
Glad that the National University of Singapore and ATOM have catalysed important conversations on this topic. My thanks to Dr Sarkissian for working with NUS to organise this inaugural Summit! As a Global-Asia node of technology, innovation and enterprise, Singapore looks forward to working with even more like-minded partners towards positive outcomes for a better, healthier Asia and world.

 

[jw5]

HSK was delighted to host Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith to lunch.

Heng Swee Keat​

4 d ·
Delighted to host Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith to lunch today.
Singapore and Laos enjoy a longstanding friendship, underpinned by people-to-people exchanges and a shared interest in human resource development. I had a good discussion with Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay on expanding our bilateral cooperation in emerging areas, such as renewable energy, and the digital economy. Singapore’s first-ever import of renewable energy under the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) demonstrates the feasibility of cross-border electricity trade across the ASEAN Member States. The realisation of an ASEAN Power Grid will strengthen energy resilience and security in our region. As Singapore and Laos commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year, such collaborations will bring us closer together for the benefit of our peoples.
Laos will take on the mantle of ASEAN Chair in 2024. Singapore stands ready to support Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship, and to work together with Laos in upholding ASEAN’s centrality and unity.

(MCI Photo by Betty Chua)

 

[jw5]

HSK spotted mushrooms.

Heng Swee Keat​

3 d ·
Spotted these mushrooms during my walkabout in Bedok this afternoon — probably thanks to the rains that have recently given us some respite from the tropical heat.
The wonders of nature! Have you seen something similar in your neighbourhoods recently? Remember that it’s best to leave the mushrooms alone as some could be poisonous.

 

[k1976]

Mr Heng is really for the people, by the people and from the people de

 

[jw5]

HSK congratulates Hope Initiative Alliance on their 5th anniversary!

Heng Swee Keat​

3 d ·
Congratulations to Hope Initiative Alliance on your 5th anniversary!
Strong social cohesion, including harmony between our religious communities, has been a key ingredient of the Singapore Story enabling our growth and progress over the years. It has helped facilitate our economic development and given us added resilience in times of crisis. Many of us would recall heartwarming stories of people from different races, religions and backgrounds coming together to support one another during COVID-19. This social capital was important in helping us respond effectively to the pandemic.
Ground-up networks like the Hope Initiative Alliance reinforce our social cohesion by fostering deeper inter-faith understanding and engagement, uplifting the vulnerable to build an inclusive and enabling environment, and nurturing civic-minded youth leaders. They have done commendable work since 2018, and I encouraged them to keep building partnerships and collaborations with government agencies and other community groups to tap on a wider range of expertise and amplify their impact.
Keeping Singapore cohesive and united is a constant work-in-progress. I was glad to meet some enthusiastic young volunteers, as young as 16, who are contributing their time and energy to the Hope Initiative Alliance. Do check out the interesting work the Alliance is doing, and how you can support them, at their Facebook page!

 

[jw5]

HSK is proud to see Singaporeans flying the flag high and working to make a positive impact in the world!

Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·
Meet “boy from Bedok” Associate Professor Winston Chow, one of Singapore’s most influential climate scientists!
Spurred on by his East Coast upbringing and his brothers' questions about why Singapore is so hot, Winston took up a career in climate science, specialising especially in urban climate and heat. Today, in addition to teaching and nurturing the next generation at Singapore Management University, he’s helping vulnerable communities globally deal with climate change. In July this year, Winston became the first Singaporean to be elected to the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — the United Nations’ top climate science body!
Winston is currently participating in the UN COP-28 in Dubai. Read more about his reflections on COP, the work of the IPCC and international cooperation in the article.
Proud to see Singaporeans flying the flag high and working to make a positive impact in the world!


CHANNELNEWSASIA.COM
COP28: Winston Chow, the ‘boy from Bedok’ leading global climate research by leveraging his Singapore upbringing
The climate scientist is the first Singaporean elected to the United Nations’ top climate body as the IPCC’s Co-Chair of Working Group II. He shares with CNA his views on the COP28 talks and the climate change challenge.

 

[jw5]

HSK says goodbye to Le Le.

Heng Swee Keat​

2 d ·
Goodbye, Le Le!

Visited #RiverWonders today to see Le Le, the first panda cub born in Singapore, before he returns to China.
Like many Singaporeans, it brought me much joy to watch Le Le grow up. From a tiny pink cub, we saw him open his eyes and take his first steps, surrounded by the love of many.
Happy to meet many Singaporeans especially young families who are such fans of Le Le, many of whom visited River Wonders frequently to see him!
The Mandai Wildlife Reserve team has worked hard to ensure a smooth transition for this separation process — part and parcel of the life stage progression of Giant Pandas, who are solitary by nature. Le Le will begin his quarantine period of about four weeks from tomorrow afternoon, and return to China on 16 January 2024 to join the conservation programme of the Giant Panda species.
Let’s wish Le Le all the best and many fulfilling years of adventures ahead!

 

[jw5]

HSK was delighted to catch up with South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile again.

Heng Swee Keat is with Dr Maliki Osman.​

4 d ·
Delighted to catch up with South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile again today. We last met when he visited Singapore in 2019 as a Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow.
Deputy President Mashatile and I had an interesting discussion over lunch on our positive and forward-looking bilateral partnership, as well as global developments. 2023 marks 30 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Singapore. Over the years, we have developed wide-ranging cooperation in trade and investment, defence, food security, and connectivity. I especially highlighted the importance of enhancing air connectivity for greater exchanges between our peoples and regions.
Following the meal, I showed Deputy President Mashatile the Giant Cola Tree at the Singapore Botanic Gardens that is dedicated to former South African President Nelson Mandela. The tree has grown healthier and stronger over time, much like the friendship between Singapore and South Africa. We braved a light rain to visit the tree and I learned from Deputy President Mashatile that rain is an auspicious omen of blessings and prosperity in many African cultures.
Glad to hear that Deputy President Mashatile had a fruitful and memorable visit to Singapore! There is more that our two countries can do to support each other in an uncertain world, and I look forward to working with him to further strengthen our ties going forward.

 

[jw5]

HSK was happy to join Lions Home and their various stakeholders and partners to celebrate their impactful work.

Heng Swee Keat​

4 d ·
One important part of preparing Singapore to be a “super-aged” society is having reliable and effective eldercare support especially for vulnerable seniors.
Lions Home For The Elders has been providing quality eldercare since 1980. Today, they engage more than 300 residents with personalised care and wellness activities in two nursing homes in Bishan and Bedok South. This is made possible by a team of hardworking healthcare workers and volunteers, as well as collaborations with sponsors and other organisations.
I was happy to join Lions Home and their various stakeholders and partners to celebrate their impactful work last Friday. As our population continues to age, it was heartening to see the home embrace technology to meet increasing demand and changing needs. For example, its humanoid robot Dexie facilitates rehabilitation by guiding residents through exercise sessions.
My thanks to everyone for working together on a shared vision of caring for our seniors. This holistic approach of combining care, compassion, and community goes a long way in enabling and empowering our seniors to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives well into their silver years!

 

[jw5]

HSK had a good chitchat.

Heng Swee Keat is with Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore and
3 others
.​

5 d ·
Had a good lunchtime chit-chat with around 150 residents of Bedok Bougainvillea RC precinct at Bedok Block 25 coffeeshop last Saturday. In addition to updates on support schemes and upcoming assistance packages, we discussed ways for families, especially seniors, to stay healthy and active in this year-end festive period.
Many thanks to representatives from the National Environment Agency (NEA), Singapore Police Force, Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore, and Land Transport Authority – We Keep Your World Moving for joining us and sharing more on recycling and the Bloobox programme, dengue prevention, combatting scams, and the repurposing of the Tanah Merah viaduct.
Sessions like these help keep residents informed about government initiatives and also bring the community together to engage and bond with one another. With everyone's support, we can make East Coast an even better place to live in!

 

[jw5]

HSK thanks all volunteers.

Heng Swee Keat​

4 d ·
From coastal clean-ups and recycling drives to growing vegetables in our community gardens, it's inspiring to see Bedok residents contributing to the #SGGreenPlan2030. Many of them, across different age groups, have been volunteering for many years and inspiring others in the community to also play their part.
This third instalment of “Our Bedok Our Stories” offers a glimpse into how our residents bond over their love for nature, the environment and community.
My sincere thanks to all our volunteers for lending their time and energy to make Bedok and East Coast a greener and more endearing home!
We Love Bedok
East Coast Buzz