The PAP using the tried and trusted pork barrel politics again

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Singaporeans can enjoy more free performances, workshops from April under expanded arts scheme​

A performance by Brahmastra Ensemble during the launch of an expanded line-up of programmes under ArtsEverywhere@CDC on March 30.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Wong Yang
Mar 31, 2025

SINGAPORE - Singaporeans will soon get to enjoy more free public performances like hip-hop dancing and traditional Chinese puppetry shows, and activities like Malay dance workshops – closer to where they live, work and play.

There will be more than 200 shows and activities by over 80 artistes and arts groups in 2025, when the ArtsEverywhere@CDC initiative ramps up its offerings, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong on March 30.

The number of artistes involved will also nearly triple, with the programme beefed up in 2025, compared with 2024, he added.

ArtsEverywhere@CDC is a two-year initiative launched in July 2024 by the National Arts Council (NAC), People’s Association (PA) and the five community development councils (CDCs), and is part of efforts to mark Singapore’s 60th year of independence.

The initiative seeks to make the arts more accessible to Singaporeans through arts performances and workshops across the island.

Mr Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry, said more than 40,000 residents have so far enjoyed arts performances across the five CDCs at venues like Heartbeat@Bedok, the HDB Hub in Toa Payoh and Kampung Admiralty since the launch of ArtsEverywhere@CDC.

He said: “Many Singaporeans with previously little or no exposure to the arts have been able to enjoy the performances. Along the way, they have gained an appreciation for local arts and culture.”


He added that artistes have also been able to reach new audiences through the initiative and gain new fans of all ages, some of whom have become “serial attendees” who follow their favourite artistes across Singapore.

The expanded ArtsEverywhere@CDC line-up means audiences can enjoy a wider range of art forms in more locations, said Mr Gan.

New offerings include performances by The Purple Symphony, an orchestra that features musicians with and without special needs, and shows by the Teng Company, a local non-profit Chinese fusion music ensemble.

NAC, PA and the CDCs, in a joint statement, said there will be two large-scale arts performances a month in each district from April 2025 to March 2026 – double the number of such monthly performances since ArtsEverywhere@CDC was launched.

Each monthly large-scale performance will also be accompanied by hands-on activities for all ages, such as workshops for Singaporeans to experience traditional Malay dance forms conducted by Sri Warisan Som Said Performing Arts.

Community spaces such as parks, town squares, community clubs and community centres will be used as venues, on top of the neighbourhood malls mostly used now.

There will also be more smaller-scale shows by street performers in places like hawker centres and outside MRT stations, the statement added.

DPM Gan Kim Yong, flanked by South West District Mayor Low Yen Ling (in orange) and North East CDC vice-chairman Yeo Wan Ling, watching a flamenco performance at Safra Choa Chu Kang on March 30. Seated behind them are (from left) PAP new faces Chua Wei-Shan and Choo Pei Ling.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
On March 30, Mr Gan was joined at Safra Choa Chu Kang by South West District Mayor Low Yen Ling, who also chairs the mayors’ committee, and North East CDC vice-chairman Yeo Wan Ling.

Two potential PAP candidates for the upcoming general election – entrepreneur Chua Wei-Shan and Dr Choo Pei Ling, an assistant professor at the Singapore Institute of Technology’s health and social sciences cluster – were also at the event, which was held in Chua Chu Kang GRC, where Mr Gan is an MP.

Ms Chua, who was appointed acting branch chairman in former transport minister S. Iswaran’s West Coast ward after he resigned in 2024, has recently been seen at events in Chua Chu Kang GRC, while Dr Choo is second adviser to grassroots organisations in Kembangan-Chai Chee.

When approached by the media, both Ms Chua and Dr Choo said they were there as grassroots members.

To make it easier for Singaporeans to find ArtsEverywhere@CDC programmes near them, the CDCs have launched a new ArtsEverywhere@CDC GoWhere platform in a tie-up with the Government Technology Agency.

At the Safra event, Mohammad Said Rahim, 51, a full-time secondary school teacher who busks in his free time, performed covers of contemporary pop songs and classic tunes from the 1980s on his guitar.

He said performing under the ArtsEverywhere@CDC banner has helped him to share his art with more people, and he hopes to inspire others to perform too.

Mr Said, who has been busking for 11 years, said the initiative also helps to promote local arts talent by “giving them a first step” and helping them to build their confidence through public street performances.

 

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Constitution provides for NMPs to step down to stand in elections: Shanmugam​

(From left) MP Louis Ng, Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, MPs Derrick Goh and Carrie Tan, and Mr Jackson Lam speaking to the media outside Ahmad Ibrahim Mosque on March 31.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Tay Hong Yi
Mar 31, 2025

SINGAPORE – Under Singapore’s Constitution, a Nominated MP can step down to join a political party and run for election, Minister for Law K. Shanmugam said on March 31.

“But we must make sure, of course, that while they are NMPs, they are independent, and Parliament has got to choose men and women of character and who carry themselves properly,” he stressed.

He added: “The fact that they can contribute subsequently, or prior, is something that was always understood and provided (for).”

Mr Shanmugam was speaking outside Ahmad Ibrahim Mosque in Sembawang Road after a series of community visits to mosques and prayer sites in Yishun on Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

He is also Minister for Home Affairs and the anchor minister for Nee Soon GRC.

His comments come after NMPs Raj Joshua Thomas and Syed Harun Alhabsyi resigned about a year before their terms ended. They have emerged as PAP new faces recently.

The resignations sparked comments that a scheme meant to ensure independent voices free from party politics in Parliament would be undermined.

Said Mr Shanmugam: “If you look at the debates and the speeches around that time, including the background papers that were put forward, Mr Lee Kuan Yew talked about, potentially, NMPs becoming ministers.

“And certainly the constitutional documents clearly envisaged that NMPs could join political parties and take part in elections, and I think the final word really is the Constitution itself – the way it’s been drafted, that was the intention.”

He noted that he is one of only two people still in Parliament, alongside Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who were present during the debate on the NMP scheme, which entered legislation in 1990.

“Well, I thought that it was a good idea to bring in more voices into Parliament, and I strongly supported it.”

He added: “I can understand that (the parliamentary debate) was more than 30 years ago, and not a lot of people would know the background or the provisions of the Constitution, but the final word, I think, is that the Constitution expressly provides for this framework.”

Asked if fellow Nee Soon GRC MP Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim would be fielded elsewhere, Mr Shanmugam said it was difficult for him to give a complete and final answer to that, as such decisions are made by the PAP’s central executive committee.

Nonetheless, Mr Shanmugam said Associate Professor Faishal is “unlikely to be here”.

Prof Faishal, who is Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, had joined Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng on a walkabout at Eunos Crescent Market and Food Centre on March 30.

This sparked speculation that he could be fielded in the new Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.

Mr Shanmugam noted: “As people can see, he is spending a lot of time in Marine Parade, and I think that is one indication of what might happen.”

Speaking to reporters after the community visits, Dr Syed Harun, who has been seen walking the ground, said he has been able to learn from Mr Shanmugam, Prof Faishal, as well as other MPs, in recent weeks about community issues.

“Really, it’s (me) putting myself forward to be able to serve in whatever capacity that is possible in the future, and I look forward to continuing my service for the country,” he said.

Dr Syed Harun, who is a psychiatrist by training, outlined his previous volunteer work with the Malay/Muslim community, including contributing to Lembaga Biasiswa Kenangan Maulud, a charity dealing with educational bursaries and scholarships for students in need.

“Other than that, I’ve also contributed to the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore as a board member for seven years prior.”

Dr Syed Harun and fellow Nee Soon GRC new face Jackson Lam joined Mr Shanmugam and Nee Soon GRC MPs Carrie Tan, Derrick Goh and Louis Ng on the community visits on March 31.

Mr Jackson Lam and Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi participated in the community visits on March 31.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Another PAP new face, Ms Lee Hui Ying, was also seen on the visits. She is a grassroots leader in the area.

Without confirming if Dr Syed Harun and Mr Lam would replace anyone on the Nee Soon GRC slate, Mr Shanmugam said: “I think (Mr Lam), Dr Harun – they will be able to serve the community very well.

“Whoever we put forward in Yishun, we will have to have the confidence that they can serve the residents of Yishun very well, and we will try and make sure of that.”

 

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NUS Singapore History Prize doubles to $100,000, now open to arts and multimedia​

Khir Johari won the 2024 NUS Singapore History Prize for his book, The Food Of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels Through The Archipelago.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO FILE

Ong Sor Fern
Apr 01, 2025,

SINGAPORE – The NUS Singapore History Prize, the richest of its kind in the country, has doubled from $50,000 to $100,000. The prize will also now be open to the arts and multimedia.

The Department of History at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (Fass), National University of Singapore (NUS), announced the changes in a statement on April 1.

The prize is financed by an anonymous donor, who has doubled the endowment for the award, which is given out every three years. Awardees have included inaugural winner Professor John Miksic’s Singapore And The Silk Road Of The Sea, 1300-1800 (2013) and, most recently, Khir Johari’s The Food Of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels Through The Archipelago (2021).

The new arts and multimedia category will encompass other disciplines ranging from theatre to film. The award will now alternate between books and the other art forms for every edition.

The prize recognises both fiction and non-fiction works that deal deeply with Singapore’s history.

Associate Professor Joey Long, head of the history department, said in a statement: “We firmly support our donor’s belief that Singaporeans can learn a lot more about Singapore’s rich history from different mediums.

“These include documentaries, films, visual arts, performing arts, installation art, podcasts and videos (excluding audiobooks, books in printed form and e-books). As such, we are glad that the prize has now been expanded to recognise works beyond books, which also reflects NUS’ commitment to foster a comprehensive appreciation of Singapore’s past through accessible and modern platforms.”

The 2027 NUS Singapore History Prize for Arts And Multimedia is open for submissions for works in the English language or works translated into English. There is no limit to the date of production, but the work must address Singaporean history. The deadline is May 31, 2027.

The panel of judges will be chaired by Mr Kishore Mahbubani, former diplomat and Distinguished Fellow at the NUS Asia Research Institute. He helped found the prize in 2014.

He said in a statement: “There is no doubt that for the next phase of Singapore’s national development, the Singaporean sense of national identity must be deepened and strengthened. The best way to do this is to develop a deep and common understanding of Singapore’s history.

“Hence, in addition to its academic and scholarly contributions, the NUS Singapore History Prize is also supporting a strong national imperative.”

 

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3,000 balance flats to be rolled out in July; 2nd such HDB sales exercise in 2025​

The Housing Board advised home seekers to apply for an HDB Flat Eligibility letter by May 15 so that they can take part in the upcoming sales exercise.ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Isabelle Liew
Apr 01, 2025

SINGAPORE – About 3,000 balance flats will be put up for sale in July by the Housing Board, the second such sales exercise in 2025.

About 5,400 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats will also be launched in Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Clementi, Sembawang, Tampines, Toa Payoh and Woodlands.

The second Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise will take the combined supply for such flats in 2025 to about 8,500 units, the largest since 2017, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee said in a Facebook post on April 1.

In February, 5,590 SBF units in varying stages of completion were rolled out. They were oversubscribed, with more than 22,000 applicants for the flats.

SBF exercises were held twice yearly up till 2024, when it was reduced to once a year.

HDB advised home seekers to apply for an HDB Flat Eligibility letter by May 15 so that they can take part in the upcoming sales exercise.

Mr Lee said on Facebook that the authorities are seeing early signs of moderation in price growth across both public and private housing markets.


Prices of HDB resale flats rose 1.5 per cent in the first three months of 2025, according to flash estimates. This was down from the 2.6 per cent price growth in the last quarter of 2024.

To further stabilise the property market, Mr Lee said, more than 50,000 BTO flats will be launched from 2025 to 2027, including about 12,000 flats with shorter waiting times of less than three years. In 2025, HDB will roll out about 19,600 flats.

Mr Lee said that supply tightness in the HDB resale market could be attributed to fewer flats reaching their minimum occupation period (MOP), in part due to construction delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

About 13,500 flats will reach their MOP in 2026, up from 8,000 in 2025, he said. In 2028, this will rise to 19,500 flats.

“This means that more resale flats are entering the market soon and the supply tightness will ease,” he added.

 

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Elderly residents queue up early, bag over $12 of groceries with $1 ticket at Ci Yuan CC​

photo_librarySee 14 More Photoschevron_rightchevron_left

1 April 2025
Chin Soo Fang
The Straits Times
March 29, 2025

The start time for a $1 Marketplace in Hougang was 10am on March 29, but by 8am a queue of about 300 people had already formed at the venue, Ci Yuan Community Club.

These early birds were among 1,000 residents who had pre-purchased a $1 ticket to be part of the event, entitling them to bag groceries worth about $12 to $13, including cabbage, lettuce, oranges and lemons.

The produce was provided by the Hougang Village Merchants’ Association in support of the marketplace, which was hosted by the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang Citizens Consultative Committee and Ci Yuan CC’s management committee.

Mr Darryl David, an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, who turned up at about 9.30am and saw the long but orderly queue of mostly senior citizens, decided to start the event earlier.

“Don’t worry, don’t rush, take your time. And after you have taken everything, there are many other activities for you to check out here,” he told the participants who came with bags and supermarket trolleys.

Homemaker Koh Chai Hong, 70, who was among the earliest to queue, said: “I didn’t suffer any loss, it’s worth it. This is fun and I came early to mingle with the people in the queue since I’m bored at home.”

Ms Laxie Mary Sequeira, 76, a retired insurance professional, said she was glad that for $1, she could get something “fresh and substantial” as “every bit helps” to cope with the cost of living.

Retired insurance professional Laxie Mary Sequeira said she was glad she could get something “fresh and substantial” as “every bit helps” to cope with the cost of living. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG

She took part to connect with fellow residents too. “Maybe I can get to know 50 people at this event today,” she quipped.

The $1 Marketplace is the first of three similar events, organised as part of SG60 activities to mark Singapore’s diamond jubilee in the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang area, to foster stronger connections, care and active contribution within the community.

Mr David said: “It’s not like you come and then we give you a pack and then you go off. We want to build that sense of community where people come down and participate and have something to look forward to.”

He added: “It’s an opportunity to unite the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang community, bringing together heartland merchants and residents to celebrate our collective strength and solidarity.”

On March 29, the marketplace also had an SG60 message board where one could leave messages of gratitude and support for heartland merchants.

The organisers also launched a stamp card initiative to encourage participation at monthly SG60 events, including Racial Harmony Day and National Day carnivals. Ang Mo Kio-Hougang residents who attend at least two events will receive a $60 FairPrice voucher per household.

There is a stamp card initiative to encourage participation at monthly SG60 events, including Racial Harmony Day and National Day carnivals. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG

Mr Francis Swee, president of Hougang Village Merchants’ Association, said the marketplace is one way to give back to regular customers of its more than 100 members.

“The items we picked align with the ‘Heng Ong Huat’ prosperity slogan that we have in this area,” he said. “(These) included ‘prosperous’ items like oranges, pineapple and cabbage.”

The association, which will organise a trade fair in Hougang Village with about 30 stalls for 19 days starting on April 26, is also planning to give about 1,000 vouchers to residents to spend at participating outlets in May.

The next two $1 Marketplace sessions will take place on April 27 and June 22 at the same venue, with $1 vouchers on sale at Ci Yuan CC.

On the upcoming $1 marketplaces, Mr David said the organisers are still engaging the partners on what to provide for the residents.

“In a way, it’s something the residents can look forward to with a sense of anticipation,” he added. “One certainty is that for $1, whatever you get will be much more than $1. The items must also have a practical use for the residents.”

 

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New Pasir Ris Bus Interchange, long-delayed Woodleigh Bus Interchange to open in late April​

The underground Woodleigh interchange, located in the Woodleigh Village integrated development, will be operated by SBS Transit. PHOTOS: LTA

Esther Loi
Apr 03, 2025

SINGAPORE – The long-delayed Woodleigh bus interchange in the Bidadari housing estate will open to the public on April 20, while a new bus interchange in the integrated transport hub at Pasir Ris will welcome passengers on April 27, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

The underground Woodleigh interchange, located in the Woodleigh Village integrated development that comprises 330 HDB flats and a hawker centre, will be operated by SBS Transit.

There will be amendments to bus service 146 and the addition of a new service 148, which will both call at the new interchange, said LTA on April 3.

Service 146 will be modified to operate from the new bus interchange and ply in both directions along Bidadari Park Drive, serving four additional bus stops.

The new Service 148 will be a loop service between the Woodleigh bus interchange and Potong Pasir, connecting residents to amenities in the Bidadari and Potong Pasir estates. These include Woodleigh Mall, Woodleigh hawker centre, Bidadari Community Club, the upcoming Bidadari Polyclinic as well as schools such as Maris Stella High School and St Andrew’s Secondary School.

Originally slated to be completed by 2021 in step with the completion of the Build-To-Order (BTO) project in Bidadari housing estate, the Woodleigh bus interchange was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and significant engineering challenges.

Linked to Woodleigh MRT station, the BTO project was launched for sale in November 2016, and its final blocks were completed in November 2022.

PHOTO: LTA
Over in Pasir Ris, bus operator Go-Ahead Singapore will manage the new interchange. All 17 public bus services operating from the existing Pasir Ris bus interchange will relocate to the new interchange.

There will be no change to their routes or stops, noted LTA.

A dedicated pick-up and drop-off point for a shuttle bus serving Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) servicemen travelling to and from the SAF Ferry Terminal in Changi will also be relocated next to the new interchange. This shuttle service is for servicemen heading to the Basic Military Training Centre on Pulau Tekong.

All 17 public bus services operating from the existing Pasir Ris bus interchange will relocate to the new interchange. PHOTO: LTA
The new Pasir Ris bus interchange is located within an integrated development connected to Pasir Ris Mall, which opened in July 2024, said LTA.

It will provide access to three MRT lines - the current East-West Line, the future Cross Island Line (CRL), and the Punggol Extension of the CRL.

LTA said it is seeking commuters’ understanding that the bus operators may need some time to familiarise themselves with the operations of the new bus interchanges.

PHOTO: LTA

 

[True Believer]

If both these women are political parties, the one on the right has a far
better chance of reviving the economy (represented by that man).

 

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New clubhouse to be built in Tengah as HomeTeamNS celebrates 20th anniversary with perks for NSmen​

Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam speaking at the HomeTeamNS Awards event held at the HomeTeamNS' Khatib clubhouse on April 3.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

Zaihan Mohamed Yusof
Apr 04, 2025

SINGAPORE – With two state-of-the-art HomeTeamNS clubhouses already operating in Khatib and Bedok Reservoir, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam has said a third clubhouse in Tengah should be ready by 2031.

He shared some details about the new clubhouse during the HomeTeamNS Awards 2025 event held at the Khatib clubhouse on April 3.

Mr Shanmugam told over 200 guests at the event that the Ministry of Home Affairs appreciates the contributions of Home Team NSmen, a community with more than 270,000 members.

“HomeTeamNS, through its clubhouses and activities, is another way we recognise our NSmen’s contributions, build a stronger Home Team community,” said Mr Shanmugam, who is also Law Minister.

The Tengah clubhouse will have a “Great Outdoors” theme with facilities such as an outdoor adventure centre, villas, an indoor children’s playground and sheltered futsal courts.

It will replace the HomeTeamNS clubhouse in Bukit Batok.

To show its appreciation, the Government disbursed LifeSG credits worth $200 to each national serviceman in November 2024, and will raise the monthly NSF allowance by $35 to $75 from July 1.

Acknowledging the important role that NSmen play in the Home Team, Mr Shanmugam said: “You work and train next to our regular officers, you perform many of the same duties – you patrol the streets, you fight crime, you respond to fires, you deal with medical emergencies, you deal with a variety of incidents and much more.

“Your contributions have helped to keep the Home Team working well and to keep Singapore safe and secure.”

To meet modern-day challenges, the Home Team will call on the expertise of its NSmen. They will be deployed, based on their expertise, to roles where they can tap their skills and knowledge from their civilian professions.

These areas of expertise include medicine, engineering, digital media and psychology, said Mr Shanmugam, noting that the Home Team will “study how to expand this to more areas in the future”.

The new clubhouses in Khatib and Bedok Reservoir have been very well received, generating a strong sense of pride among the Home Team community, he added.

To make life more convenient for NSmen, HomeTeamNS has turned to technology to make access to its services and promotions easier.

Almost 90 per cent of its members have downloaded the HomeTeamNS app. In 2024, HomeTeamNS achieved a 90 per cent satisfaction rating from over 6,000 Ordinary members who participated in the annual members’ engagement survey.

At the awards ceremony, 60 volunteers and corporate partners who made exemplary contributions were recognised.

Forty-three volunteers received the Long Service Award, 15 received the Meritorious Award and two corporate partners were honoured with the Friends of HomeTeamNS Award.

Colonel Jahan De Silva Din Abdullah received the Platinum Meritorious Award at the HomeTeamNS Awards event on April 3.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Colonel Jahan De Silva Din Abdullah, who has been contributing actively to the HomeTeamNS management committee since 2017, received the Platinum Meritorious Award.

As chairman of the information and technology committee, COL Jahan’s strategic oversight was important in operationalising information technology for the new generation of HomeTeamNS clubhouses in Khatib and Bedok Reservoir, said Mr Shanmugam.

The 45-year-old IT director at a small and medium-sized enterprise told The Straits Times: “I firmly believe that HomeTeamNS is ‘for NSmen, by NSmen’; so NSmen like us must step up and contribute, ensuring the continued success of the clubhouses.”

HomeTeamNS will mark its 20th anniversary in 2025 with a year-long celebration comprising events and promotions for NSmen and their families.

The events include a roving exhibition across the clubhouses showcasing HomeTeamNS’ history and future plans, and a charity dinner in November.

New benefits for members will also be rolled out through strategic partnerships with Golden Village, Kopitiam and Shell.

Ms Agnes Eu, chief executive of HomeTeamNS, said it is a community where lasting relationships and shared experiences among NSmen are forged.

“This anniversary celebrates the invaluable connections that bind our Home Team family, offering exclusive rewards and opportunities for us to grow even stronger together,” she added.

 

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New nursing home, active ageing centres as Holland-Bukit Panjang aims to be ‘wellness heartland’​

The Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council announced its plans for the next five years on April 5 via an exhibition.ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Mike Yeo and Christine Tan
Apr 05, 2025

SINGAPORE - Holland-Bukit Panjang is planning to be Singapore’s first “wellness heartland” by providing facilities for a rapidly ageing population.

These include a new nursing home and active ageing centre to be located next to Greenridge Shopping Centre and jointly operated by St Luke’s Eldercare and New Life Community Services.

This new centre, which is expected to open in 2027, will be one of five to open in the neighbourhood, with another one of these to be located above the Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre and Market in Bukit Panjang Ring Road.

The Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council announced its plans for the next five years on April 5 via an exhibition at Block 259 Bukit Panjang Ring Road.

The town council oversees Bukit Panjang SMC and Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, which covers the Bukit Timah, Cashew, Ulu Pandan and Zhenghua wards.

Bukit Panjang MP Liang Eng Hwa, who is chairman of the town council, said the new active ageing centres will benefit both seniors and their caregivers. He said: “Having these activity centres also help support the families, (providing) the peace of mind that we have all these facilities there to take care of your aged parents.”

Mr Liang was speaking to the media at Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre, flanked by MPs for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC: Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Senior Minister of State for National Development Sim Ann, Mr Christopher de Souza and Mr Edward Chia.

The town council also promised to upgrade Bukit Panjang Neighbourhood 5 Park and build more therapeutic gardens, among other plans. It hopes the vision of a “wellness heartland” will be a model for future heartland developments across Singapore.

On April 5, it launched an event titled Our Home Of Possibilities!, which included unveiling commemorative books recording how the town has progressed towards this vision.

Speaking to residents, Mr Liang said these included a new polyclinic, hawker centre and a Senja Road interchange which links Bukit Panjang to the Kranji Expressway (KJE).

He added he will still be looking to improve the area, noting it is now a far cry from before when it was quite “ulu” (remote in Malay).

He said: “We are still obsessed and passionate about making the town even better.”

The master plan mentioned upcoming wellness-focused facilities, including the new Central Manpower Base (CMPB), which is set to open in phases from 2025.

Located opposite Cashew MRT station, it will have a football field and fitness zone which the public can access.

There will also be more covered linkways and convenient drop-off points, such as at blocks 501, 503 and 504 in Jelapang Road.

Meanwhile, Dr Balakrishnan did not answer multiple questions from the media regarding his purported involvement in a recent controversial Facebook post made by former Nominated MP Calvin Cheng on March 13.

Dr Balakrishnan’s official Facebook account was found to have “liked” the post, which proposed sending a group of activists to Gaza, as long as they never returned.

On April 2, Dr Balakrishnan said he did not “like” the post. He added he did not share the views put forth by Mr Cheng, and he had taken measures to enhance his account’s security.

His press secretary said the same day a report had been filed with Facebook parent company Meta over the unauthorised activity, and Meta was investigating.

When ST asked Dr Balakrishnan on April 5 for his views regarding Mr Cheng’s post, he said he was not going to deal with that as it would be a distraction from the event.

Dr Balakrishnan, who has led the PAP team in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC through the last three elections, added he would not be announcing candidates for the upcoming one yet.

On Singapore Democratic Party’s chairman Paul Tambyah declaring his stake in Bukit Panjang SMC, Dr Balakrishnan said the party is still waiting for SDP to announce its overall slate.

He said: “All I can say is that we’ve got a great team here. You can see everybody knows us and what we’ve been able to achieve together. In due time, we will make the appropriate announcements.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Marsiling-Yew Tee residents to get new community clubs, parks and 18km cycling path​

From left: Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MPs Alex Yam, Lawrence Wong, Zaqy Mohamad and Hany Soh launching the Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Council’s master plan for 2025 to 2030.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

Wong Yang
Apr 05, 2025

SINGAPORE – Residents in Marsiling-Yew Tee can tap three new or revamped community clubs, new parks and more sustainable features in their neighbourhoods over the coming years.

They will be better connected to other places with two future Downtown Line MRT stations near Yew Tee Village and in Sungei Kadut, which will cut travel times to the city by 20 to 30 minutes, and the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link, which is set to start passenger service by end-2026.

A new 18km cycling path going through Marsiling and Woodgrove will also enhance connectivity.

These improvements, among others, will make the district a better home for all residents, whether they are young couples, working professionals, multi-generational families or seniors, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the launch of Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Council’s master plan for 2025 to 2030 in Yew Tee Square on April 5.

Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC had 119,352 voters as at Feb 1.

A new community club will be located at the upcoming Heart of Yew Tee integrated development, which is set to be built by 2027. There will also be a hawker centre, polyclinic, kidney dialysis centre, community plaza, retail outlets and dedicated housing for seniors at the development.

Another community club next to Marsiling Lane Hawker Centre and Wet Market is expected to be built by 2026, while upgrading works for Fuchun Community Club are set to be completed in 2025.

New and upgraded parks such as Stagmont Park, Mandai Tekong Park and Arcadia Park will also open soon, said the town council. Further ahead, the Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park will open progressively from 2028, while the Stagmont Ring node will be developed around 2035.

The master plan also outlines efforts to make Marsiling-Yew Tee more sustainable across its four divisions – Limbang, Marsiling, Yew Tee and Woodgrove.

A smart lighting system will be installed across all Housing Board blocks in the group representation constituency. This will reduce the town’s energy usage by up to 60 per cent, said North West District Mayor Alex Yam, who is also MP for the Yew Tee ward.

By end-2025, electric vehicle charging points will be made available at 48 more locations, adding to the 200 at 51 locations currently.

The town council said more urban farms and community gardens are in the works to promote sustainable farming among residents.

Highlighting major changes that will transform Marsiling-Yew Tee in future, PM Wong said the Sungei Kadut Eco-District, a 500ha industrial estate being developed by JTC Corporation, will create opportunities and jobs closer to residents’ homes.

The Kranji racecourse is being redeveloped by the Government to provide new homes and recreation options, while Woodlands Checkpoint is also being revamped, he added.

PM Wong, who is also MP for the Limbang ward, said Marsiling-Yew Tee has seen several improvements in the past five years.

These include more sheltered linkways and drop-off points, better amenities like a revamped shopping centre in Limbang, upgrades to HDB flats, lifts and neighbourhoods, and improved transport connectivity with a new MRT station and bus services.

He added: “But it’s not just about building new things. It’s also about using the infrastructure to care for others and to do more for our own community.”

PM Wong highlighted programmes to tackle issues like cost of living, such as the GRC’s MY $1 Deals initiative, which has enabled more than 10,000 households to buy cooking oil, eggs or rice for $1 since January.

The launch of the master plan on April 5 was also attended by the three other MPs for the GRC: Senior Minister of State for Defence and Manpower Zaqy Mohamad; Mr Yam, who also chairs the Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Council; and vice-chair Hany Soh.

When asked whether the PAP will field the same line-up in the upcoming general election, Mr Yam said he does not foresee any surprises to the party’s slate, but the decision ultimately lies with PM Wong.

He added that the current team hopes to continue serving the residents because of the close bonds with them and the wish to see through ongoing projects.

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The Singapore Democratic Party, which contested Marsiling-Yew Tee in the 2015 and 2020 elections, announced on March 30 that it intends to take on the PAP again.

Mr Yam told the media: “Whichever opposition party would like to contest in Marsiling-Yew Tee, we welcome the contest. It’s healthy for our democracy... so we welcome them, and we look forward to hearing their plans for our residents.”

Madam Ng Swee Siam, who has lived in Limbang for 25 years, said: “I have seen a lot more new community spaces like playgrounds and gardens being built in the past few years, and it has made the place nicer to live in.”

The 63-year-old procurement executive hopes that more sheltered linkways can be built to access bus stops, including those outside condominiums like hers.

Retired technician Mohamed Hassan, 68, who has lived in Yew Tee for three decades, said he is looking forward to the new integrated development. It will be a short walk from his flat and, because it will house a polyclinic, he will no longer need to travel to Choa Chu Kang Polyclinic.

 

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BMX track, playgrounds, green spaces for Chua Chu Kang residents under $212m rejuvenation plan​

An artist’s impression of planned facilities. Many of the announced facilities are geared towards Chua Chu Kang families with children.PHOTO: CHUA CHU KANG TOWN COUNCIL

Osmond Chia
Apr 05, 2025

SINGAPORE – Chua Chu Kang residents can look forward to Singapore’s only professional cycling track for bicycle motocross (BMX), more playgrounds, green spaces and fitness facilities over the next five years.

Teck Whye Shopping Centre and Keat Hong Shopping Centre will also be revamped to include more community spaces as part of a renewal of the neighbourhood malls.

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who oversees the town, announced these plans on April 5 at the launch of the Chua Chu Kang Town Council’s five-year plan.

It outlined the council’s plans worth $212 million to revamp homes and the town’s infrastructure between 2025 and 2030.

DPM Gan was joined by Chua Chu Kang GRC MPs Low Yen Ling, Don Wee and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, along with Dr Amy Khor, who oversees Hong Kah North SMC, which shares the resources of the Chua Chu Kang Town Council.

With them were Mr Jeffrey Siow, 46, who resigned from the civil service on April 2, and Singapore Institute of Technology faculty member Choo Pei Ling, 38.

Both were dressed in party colours amid rumours they were likely to enter politics ahead of 2025’s general election.

Speaking to the media at the launch in Keat Hong, DPM Gan said they will spend about $212 million on various upgrading projects.

He added: “It’s not just about hardware, facilities and amenities but about software, social services and programming. And that’s why we are also rolling out many social programmes to help our population of residents, especially those with lower incomes, and seniors.”

With more young families in the town, many of the announced facilities are geared towards households with children.

These include playgrounds, new parks, and the launch of new flats in areas like Brickland and the newly built Tengah, which was incorporated into Chua Chu Kang GRC in the latest electoral boundaries report.

There will be a new sports venue set up later in 2025 in Brickland called The Bricks: Sports-in-Precinct and Cycle Park. It will include a large racing track and a BMX pump track – a looped course for cycling with banked turns and slopes.

An artist’s impression of The Bricks: Sports-in-Precinct and Cycle, which will include a large racing track and a BMX pump track.PHOTO: CHUA CHU KANG TOWN COUNCIL
The facility is a multi-sports venue that will be home to Singapore’s only BMX Academy, where riders can learn the ropes of motocross. The Bricks will feature a fitness corner, basketball and futsal courts, and rows of spectator seats.

Upgrading works for the town’s flats will continue, with some 400 blocks receiving a fresh coat of paint by 2030.

Residents can also expect more sheltered pathways and pavilions across the town.

An artist’s impression of facilities in Chua Chu Kang Town Council’s plan. Residents can expect more sheltered pathways and pavilions.PHOTO: CHUA CHU KANG TOWN COUNCIL
The MPs also highlighted ongoing developments that will be rolled out by 2030, including a new 700-seater food court that will be opened progressively in mid-2025 at the new Central Manpower Base near Cashew MRT.

Six new MRT stations will launch before 2030 as part of the Jurong Region Line, which will improve connectivity in Chua Chu Kang and Tengah.

DPM Gan said Bukit Gombak will continue to be part of the town and share its resources, even as it is hived off to form its own single-member constituency.

Asked about whether the town’s plan is contingent on whether the PAP is re-elected, DPM Gan said it depends on who is in charge.

He said: “If there is a new team, they will have different ideas and things they want to do. But as far as our team is concerned, this is our plan.”

More than 200 residents attended the plan’s launch at the Arena in Keat Hong, a mega playground and fitness venue that opened in 2022. Many took part in the Sports Day activities, which included team games designed for children.

Engineer Liu Yao, 37, said she was pleasantly surprised by the number of playgrounds in the area when she moved to Keat Hong with her family in 2024. The outdoor facilities make it easier to encourage her five-year-old daughter to play outside rather than stay indoors, she said.

Madam Marlia Ahmad, 47, a resident of more than five years, said her family has benefited from having more food outlets, especially more Malay food options, in the neighbourhood.

The mother of two boys, aged 6 and 4, who works in the power sector, said: “Playgrounds are great because many kids interact there, and we meet families and new friends. They really help bring young families together.”

 

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MOM to make 3 ‘strategic shifts’ to better serve Singaporeans: Tan See Leng​

Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam with a commemorative book launched by the Ministry of Manpower.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
Sharon Salim
Apr 05, 2025

SINGAPORE - The rise of artificial intelligence, rapid technological advancements and global uncertainty will reshape jobs, skills and business operations, said Manpower Minister Tan See Leng.

To prepare for these trends and better serve Singapore and Singaporeans, the Manpower Ministry will be making three strategic shifts, he said.

The ministry will do more to empower the workforce to access good job opportunities, while building thriving and inclusive workplaces that reflect the changing demographics and strengthening the trust with both workers and businesses, said Dr Tan on April 5 at a dinner to celebrate the ministry’s 70th anniversary.

As the Singapore workforce became more educated, he acknowledged that technological disruptions and global competition have “created new anxieties”.

To alleviate these concerns, Workforce Singapore’s Career Conversion Programmes and the Overseas Markets Immersion Programme are examples of the ministry’s proactive approach in supporting and empowering workers even before they run into employment difficulties.

“And for those who are thrown curveballs in their employment journey through no fault of their own, we introduced the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme to encourage and motivate them to find a well-fitting job,” he added. “And as we speak, preparations are underway. We will roll it out by the middle of this month.”

Speaking to guests of the dinner at Shangri-La Singapore, Dr Tan said: “We are constantly thinking ahead – because a decade from now, I truly believe the world of work will be very different.”

In a global economy where there is intense competition for talent, he stressed that manpower must be an “offensive strategy”.

“Where talent goes, businesses follow. Where talent thrives, investments flow. And where there is growth, talent is not just seeded but sowed,” he said.

“We can always do more, and we can always do better. But I believe that we can be proud of what we have achieved over the past seven decades.”

He added that MOM must ensure that economic growth is not just robust but it has to be inclusive by creating opportunities for all Singaporeans to participate meaningfully in the economy through good jobs.

Dr Tan highlighted the implications of a “super-aged” society on the workforce, noting that by 2030, around one in four citizens will be aged 65 and above.

“More of them will have to take on caregiving responsibilities. That is why MOM has been working with employers to adopt Flexible Work Arrangements,” he said. It is also progressively raising the retirement and re-employment ages to 65 and 70 respectively by 2030.

Tripartism - which is the three-way partnership between unions, employers and the Government - is a unique competitive advantage for Singapore, he said, adding that getting employers and unions to work together is one way of ensuring the competitiveness of the workforce.

The dinner was attended by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former Manpower Ministers Josephine Teo, S. Jayakumar, Lee Yock Suan, Lee Boon Yang and Tan Chuan-Jin.

At the dinner, MOM paid tribute to former and current employees, tripartite partners, businesses, unions and community leaders for their contributions in developing the Singapore workforce and workplace.

Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at an exhibit showcasing the Ministry of Manpower’s milestones during a dinner to celebrate the ministry’s 70th anniversary.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
In the early years, MOM led the formation of the tripartite relationship, quelling industrial unrest and laying the foundation for a harmonious industrial relations landscape, Dr Tan said. “This became the crucial springboard for Singapore’s rapid industrialisation and economic transformation, creating good jobs for Singaporeans.”

Dr Tan, who was appointed Manpower Minister soon after the explosion of Covid-19 cases in migrant worker dormitories in 2020, said: “It was a humbling time... I then came to this stark realisation very quickly that very few of our decisions can please everyone.

The pandemic uncovered and triggered areas that needed improvements as well as mindset changes that were needed, and I felt strongly that MOM had to innovate.”

He said he was inspired by Mr Tharman, then the coordinating minister for social policies, who encouraged him to “go bolder and push the boundaries”.

“He was a constant source of encouragement. Therefore, we innovated and led by example.”

He added that MOM’s upcoming foreign worker dormitory in Jurong, which will open in early 2026, will reflect the higher standards the ministry is working towards: Better living conditions, healthcare and spaces to rest and recharge.

“I want to thank my colleagues – many of whom patiently guided and put up with this first-time minister who was already past the Central Provident Fund (CPF) withdrawal age, and who perhaps brought a little too much of a maverick entrepreneur’s spirit in pushing everyone,” he said, drawing applause from the guests.

Singapore has come a long way from a nascent nation – where unemployment was in double digits, wages were low and industrial unrest hindered progress – to a nation with one of the best workforces in the world, said MOM in a press release on April 5. The release cited various statistics on the progress of the Singapore labour market.

As of 2024, Singapore has one of the lowest unemployment rates at less than three per cent and a high labour force participation rate of almost 70 per cent compared to other developed countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom.

Singapore’s median monthly gross income from employment, including employer CPF, of full-time employed residents has increased from $1,950 in 1996 to $5,500 in 2024.

During the dinner, MOM unveiled a refreshed logo, keeping the three strokes that symbolise tripartism. The current logo has been in place since 1998.

MOM unveiled a refreshed logo, keeping the three strokes that symbolise tripartism. The current logo has been in place since 1998.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
The ministry also launched a commemorative book titled Charting our Path – its first official anniversary book over the past 70 years – to document its major milestones. It recounts the conditions for industrial peace in Singapore’s pre-independence years and captures how it prepares the workforce with the skills needed to support economic growth.

Through historical accounts, MOM said the book explains the ministry’s efforts to translate economic growth into socio-economic progress for Singaporeans.

In the foreword of the book, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: “MOM’s efforts have dramatically improved workers’ lives and the quality of our workplaces.

All this while keeping our economy lean and competitive, minimising the regulatory and administrative burden on companies, and striving for service excellence in supporting businesses and workers.”

 

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Upgrading, safer fitness corners for Jurong residents in 5-year town council plan​

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu (second from left), Jurong GRC MPs Xie Yao Quan (left) and Tan Wu Meng (second from right), and Jurong-Clementi Town Council volunteers Cassandra Lee (third from left) and David Hoe (right) at the launch of the Jurong-Clementi Town Council's five-year masterplan.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Syarafana Shafeeq
Apr 05, 2025

SINGAPORE - More than 200 upgrading projects were unveiled for the residents of Jurong, Clementi and Bukit Batok on April 5, including a plan to make fitness corners safer for the elderly, as the Jurong-Clementi Town Council (JRTC) launched its five-year masterplan on April 5.

In a major initiative, the town council will collaborate with Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Jurong Community Hospital to ensure that new fitness corners in the town are designed with frailty-prevention in mind and are safe and suitable for elderly residents.

The town council takes care of the areas which will come under the newly formed Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, where some 19 per cent of residents are above the age of 65.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said at the event that JRTC will work with the physiotherapists from the two hospitals to not only to select fitness equipment that is suitable for older residents, but also to educate the residents on how to use the equipment safely.

The physiotherapists will also curate training and fitness programmes for residents, under the wellness-focused estate development initiative, added Ms Fu who is the MP for Yuhua SMC, which will be absorbed into the new GRC.

The partnership follows a six-month pilot programme in Bukit Batok and Jurong Central, where residents were educated on the proper and safe usage of fitness equipment.

Among the other plans unveiled in the masterplan is the rejuvenation of nine older estates in the town, including Yuhua and Clementi.

As part of the over 200 upgrading projects planned for the next five years, 40 sheltered linkways will also be built, and the town council will upgrade 41 fitness corners and 30 playgrounds.

It was announced on March 11 that Jurong GRC in its current form will be redistributed across multiple constituencies, the majority forming the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. The GRC will absorb Bukit Batok SMC, and parts of Yuhua SMC and Hong Kah North SMC.

“We are excited about the prospect and are looking forward to serving new residents from Hong Kah North. With our experience and track record, we are confident that we can run the new town well,” Ms Fu said.

Over the past five years, more than 250 upgrading projects have been completed in the town, and 1,649 lifts have been upgraded in the estate. There are about 2,300 lifts across the towns.

The monthly lift fault rate has dropped to 0.05 per lift, a drop from 0.12 in 2021.

Sharing these statistics at the event, Jurong GRC MP and chairman of JRTC Xie Yao Quan said: “We are significantly outperforming the average lift fault rate across all town councils. Most importantly, this has meant more reliable lifts, smoother and safer rides, and overall better vertical commuting experiences for our residents.”

Two other MPs from Jurong GRC - Minister of State for Health, Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam and Dr Tan Wu Meng were also present.

Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai, who is the MP for Bukit Batok SMC, also attended the event, where two new faces were introduced. They were Mr David Hoe, director of philanthropy at charity Majurity Trust, and Ms Cassandra Lee, a long-time volunteer and PAP activist in Jurong.

Ms Fu said repairs and redecorations for more than 360 blocks had been completed in the past five years, with works for close to 270 blocks underway and 240 blocks in the pipeline.

The estate has also been made more inclusive, with more barrier-free access for those using wheelchairs or mobility devices, she added.

At the same time, HDB block pillars around Yuhua Village Market have also been painted with bright murals and recognisable images to help those with dementia find their way back home.

Mr Xie said the town has made continuous improvements to the delivery of services like bulky item removal. The town council received more than 2,800 requests every month for bulky item removal via calls, emails and online form submissions.

The town council team is working to consolidate requests onto an online booking system which will send residents instant confirmation via SMS or email, he said.

Madam Nikki Ismail, a retiree in her 60s, has lived in Jurong since 2007. She said she attended the five-year masterplan event on April 5 as she was curious about how the neighbourhood would change, and welcomed the plans to make fitness corners safer.

She said she had been to the fitness corner near her block, but was not sure if it was safe to use the equipment. “Maybe once they upgrade it, I can go there more often,” she added.

Another Jurong resident, Suresh Karanth, a 62-year-old entrepreneur, said: “I’m looking forward to more fitness equipment in the neighbourhood which is eco-friendly and which can benefit the seniors.”

 

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Caregiver support fund, youth career programme launched in Marine Parade​

(From left) Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong, MacPherson MP Tin Pei Ling and Dr Choo Pei Ling, second adviser to grassroots organisations in Kembangan-Chai Chee at a media briefing on the new initiatives on April 3.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

Shermaine Ang
Apr 06, 2025

SINGAPORE – Caregivers of elderly, ill or disabled family members living in the Marine Parade cluster can now get one-time support of up to $1,600 in cash, Grab vouchers and respite care with the introduction of a new fund.

Separately, a new career exposure programme will provide youth living in the area with hands-on career exploration and internship opportunities to prepare them for the workforce.

The two schemes were announced by Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong, both Marine Parade GRC MPs, on April 6 at an SG60 event for the cluster, held at Kampong Ubi Community Club.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong was also at the event. Having grown up in Marine Parade, PM Wong said the area has transformed significantly.

“There is a lot we should be grateful for and cherish. When things can be better, let us work together to make them better,” he said.

“And we know there are real concerns on the ground, for example, with cost of living, with other issues, and the Government will try our very best to address these concerns.”

He said he was glad to see that national schemes to help with the cost of living, such as the CDC vouchers and upcoming SG60 vouchers, are being complemented by local initiatives.

“We know the world is in a very challenging position now. (We) look around us and we know that there are dark clouds over the horizon, but just as we have overcome previous challenges all these last 60 years and more recently, tackling Covid-19 together, let us also draw strength from what we have been through together,” PM Wong said.

“So whether it is at the government level, whether it is at the constituency level, let us continue to work together, overcoming our challenges and charting our new way forward.”

The Marine Parade cluster consists of Braddell Heights, Geylang Serai, Joo Chiat, Kembangan-Chai Chee, Marine Parade, MacPherson and Mountbatten.

Up to 2,800 families can benefit from the Caregiver Support Fund, the first such fund for the cluster.

Depending on their household income, they will receive cash relief of up to $700, up to $300 in Grab vouchers to cover transport costs incurred as part of medical visits or commuting, and up to $600 in reimbursement for respite care.

The amount of cash relief, for instance, will be $700 for blue Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) card holders, $500 for orange Chas card holders, and $200 for other eligible caregivers.

Respite care offers caregivers a break from their caregiving duties and helps reduce their stress.

Enhancements to a national scheme, the Home Caregiving Grant, will take effect in April 2026. This will give caregivers of individuals with permanent moderate disabilities up to $600 a month – up from the current $400 – to help with caregiving expenses, such as care services or hiring a migrant domestic worker.

Until then, Marine Parade’s Caregiver Support Fund will provide interim support between April 2025 and January 2026.

To qualify for this fund, the caregiver must be looking after a Singaporean family member residing within the Marine Parade cluster and who requires help due to disability, mental illness or chronic illness.

The grant will be disbursed from April 6 till Jan 31, 2026, with applications taking about four weeks to process.

Dr Tan said on April 6: “This takes really into consideration our support and acknowledgement of the very important role played by caregivers. They are our unsung heroes.”

He riefed the media on the initiatives on April 3, alongside other incumbent MPs of Marine Parade GRC – Mr Tong (Joo Chiat) and Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng (Braddell Heights).

They were joined by MacPherson MP Tin Pei Ling, and Minister of State for Home Affairs as well as National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, who is an MP for Nee Soon GRC.

Also on the panel chairing the briefing was Dr Choo Pei Ling, an assistant professor with the Singapore Institute of Technology’s health and social sciences cluster and second adviser to grassroots organisations in Kembangan-Chai Chee.

Dr Tan said that while running the constituency’s Caregiver Support Network over the past five years, he realised caregivers need time to take their minds off the burden of caring for their loved ones.

He also wanted to provide them with support when an incident happens, such as when a loved one suddenly suffers a stroke or fractures a hip in a fall. “It can be quite traumatic for them.”

Cash relief and wheelchair-accessible transport, for instance, will help them continue to follow up at polyclinics and specialist outpatient centres and with physiotherapy, Dr Tan said.

He said the funds are derived mostly from donations by well-wishers.

Mr Winson Low, a delivery driver who cares for his 76-year-old father who has diabetes, said the cash relief will help with his father’s medical bills.

His father had all the toes on his left foot amputated, along with two toes on his right foot and part of his ankle. He uses a wheelchair and needs help to get around.

Meanwhile, the Industry Immersive Programme for young residents aged between 16 and 25 in the Marine Parade cluster will facilitate work placements in different sectors. These internships will range from two weeks to three months.

Mr Tong said he has come across young people on his house visits who do well in school but do not get exposure to jobs and industries.

The programme aims to enable learning beyond school-based skills, give young people a “first-hand feel” of an industry, and to allow them to meet mentors to guide them on their career choices, he said.

The 26 partner companies currently include technology company Huawei, consulting firm Deloitte, education group MindChamps and social service agency Montfort Care. Others are in sectors including hospitality, and banking and finance.

Mr Tong said on April 6 that the team is looking to bring more companies from other industries on board.

The number of young people who will benefit from the programme depends on the number of companies that come on board.

Ms Xiang Yan Ting, who lives in Braddell Heights, is keen to apply for the Industry Immersive Programme. The ITE College East graduate, who studied chemical process technology studies, is waiting to enrol in a polytechnic in April.

“After I went for internships, I gained experiences from mentors who taught me slowly, and I learnt to adapt to work life,” the 19-year-old said.

Mr Tong also gave the assurance that the two new schemes will continue for Joo Chiat residents after the upcoming general election, when the ward will fall under East Coast GRC.

Meanwhile, two new community gathering spaces are in the pipeline. A new aquatic-themed play space near Marine Terrace MRT station will feature a water play area, a “flying fox” zip line and a new playground.

A new fitness and event space at Block 54 Marine Terrace will have exercise equipment, outdoor swings and a pavilion for fitness classes.

On March 30, Dr Faishal was spotted at a walkabout at Eunos Crescent Market and Food Centre with Marine Parade MPs, sparking speculation that he could be fielded in the newly renamed Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.

A four-term MP, he entered politics in 2006 as part of the team for Marine Parade GRC, before joining Nee Soon GRC in 2011.

Asked about his involvement in the April 3 briefing, Dr Faishal said that as lead adviser to Wisma Geylang Serai, the cultural heritage integrated hub that falls within Marine Parade GRC, he spends considerable time in the area. He said he also works closely with the GRC’s MPs, including Geylang Serai MP Fahmi Aliman.

“So in essence, I know many of the residents here, and sometimes, they raise issues (to) me,” said Dr Faishal.

“And when Minister Tan asked me to come back and see how we can continue to work together to help the residents, I thought it was an opportunity to help.”

Another potential new face, business development director Diana Pang, was also spotted at the media briefing on April 3.

Ms Pang, 51, was introduced to ST by Dr Tan during the March 30 walkabout. She chairs the Fengshan Women’s Executive Committee and the People’s Association Women’s Integration Network Council.

Dr Faishal and Ms Pang were also at the April 6 launch of the Marine Parade initiatives.

 

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Jalan Besar Town Council launches 5-year masterplan for a greener, more elderly-friendly town​

(From left) Jalan Besar GRC MPs Wan Rizal, Heng Chee How, Minister Josephine Teo, Denise Phua, and potential candidates Shawn Loh and David Hoe, at the launch of the masterplan in Boon Keng on April 6.ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH

Judith Tan
Apr 06, 2025

SINGAPORE - Residents living in Jalan Besar GRC can look forward to their estates becoming greener and more energy efficient in the next five years, with more smart LED lighting and trees to be planted.

This is as sustainability will be a key pillar for their town council’s masterplan for the next five years, from 2026 to 2030, said Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo at the plan’s launch on April 6.

Jalan Besar is the coordinating town council for Action for Green Towns across the 15 PAP town councils, and will lead the way in emphasising sustainability in support of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, said the town council.

More shared spaces will also be created in the coming years for all generations to enjoy together, such as improved neighbourhood parks, playgrounds for children, fitness corners for adults and seniors, and friendly streets.

Many of these enhanced amenities will be in both public and private estates, to ensure that many residents in its precincts can enjoy them, it added.

The masterplan, which offered a preview of more than 100 proposed projects and facilities for the next five years, also aims to have Jalan Besar be a more inclusive community for its residents.

The GRC, one of the oldest in Singapore, will be upgraded to have wayfinding features such as motifs and colour-coded zones to help residents, especially those with dementia, navigate the neighbourhoods.

There will also be many community gardens designed with inclusivity in mind, such as having higher planter boxes. For residents with mobility needs there will be wheelchair-friendly paths and greater barrier-free accessibility, such as ramps and additional aids.

The masterplan also emphasised fostering strong bonds between older and younger residents in the town, which is a blend of the past and present. While it has some of Singapore’s oldest Housing Board flats, a number of new BTO estates have also sprung up in the last few years.

Jalan Besar Town Council said that in coming up with its masterplan, it had embarked on a months-long engagement efforts to gather insights from government agencies and more than 3,000 residents through street interviews.

Announcing the plan on April 6, Mrs Teo, who helms the People’s Action Party team in Jalan Besar GRC, said it was more than just the town council’s project as it also belongs to the residents.

Speaking at the launch, Mrs Teo, who is also Minister for Digital Development and Information and Minister-in-charge of Smart Nation and Cybersecurity, said residents took the time and effort to share their visions for the town, “and we listened”.

The town council also showcased the developments and improvements in the district over the last five years.

Since 2021, the town council has added and upgraded many facilities across the Jalan Besar GRC that have benefitted more than 53,000 households.

These include 62 new and upgraded lifts benefitting more than 4,500 residential homes, four upgraded markets and hawker centres, and 439 blocks equipped with solar panels.

Notable projects by other government agencies, included six MRT stations on the Thomson-East Coast and Circle lines, and the Kallang Bahru Underpass.

The upgraded Golden Mile and Beo Crescent markets and hawker centres also provide cleaner, more conducive environments for both customers and hawkers stallholders, said the town council.

An additional 78 blocks were upgraded under the Home Improvement Programme, which has benefitted more than 8,200 homes.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Marine Parade shuttle bus service set to continue beyond 1-year pilot: Tan See Leng​

Usage of the service’s seven routes is being monitored, and the routes may be tweaked in response to feedback.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Ng Keng Gene
Apr 06, 2025

SINGAPORE – A shuttle bus service that takes residents living in Marine Parade, MacPherson and Mountbatten to essential services in the towns is set to continue beyond its ongoing year-long pilot.

Usage of the service’s seven routes is being monitored, and the routes may be tweaked in response to feedback.

Providing these updates, Manpower Minister and Marine Parade GRC MP Tan See Leng also said on April 6 that a few of the routes have registered very good take-up.

Asked for updates about the shuttle service that began on July 8, 2024, and if it would continue beyond the year-long pilot, Dr Tan said: “We intend to continue with that. Now, how the routes will be eventually tweaked, that is something that we will continue to work with all our grassroots leaders on the ground.”

He was speaking to reporters at Kampong Ubi Community Centre, where the Marine Parade MPs launched two community initiatives.

Called WeCare Shuttle Service, the bus service plies seven routes for the residents of Marine Parade GRC’s five wards – Marine Parade, Kembangan-Chai Chee, Geylang Serai, Braddell Heights and Joo Chiat – as well as Mountbatten SMC and MacPherson SMC.

The service makes stops at markets, food centres and polyclinics, with routes planned based on feedback from residents, said Culture, Community and Youth Minister and fellow Marine Parade GRC MP Edwin Tong in June 2024, when the service was announced.

On April 3, at a media briefing ahead of the launch of the Marine Parade initiatives to support youth and caregivers, Dr Tan said a few of the routes have been utilised by residents “on a very regular basis”, adding that they have found them helpful in getting to polyclinics, wet markets and hawker centres, as well as town council and Housing Board offices.

“The plan is to continue, because, as we have always stated, we need to let it run one year – it’s a pilot,” he added.

“We will obviously look to see how we can tweak the routes to make sure that more people can benefit, and as we speak, on a weekly basis, we monitor the attendance of the residents taking the shuttle.”

He also noted that some routes have already been adjusted, and added that an update on the service will be given when the pilot ends.

A post on the Marine Parade Cluster Facebook page showed that stops were added or tweaked on some routes from Jan 13, such as buses on the Mountbatten route making a stop at Kinex mall instead of a Dunman Road bus stop.

Mr Tong’s Joo Chiat ward will be part of East Coast GRC at the upcoming general election.

Asked if the shuttle service is likely to continue for Joo Chiat residents beyond the one-year pilot, Mr Tong said on April 6 that this will have to be assessed alongside the other routes in the pilot.

“Obviously, the way in which it is funded, as well as the way in which it is organised and integrated with the rest of the divisions around Marine Parade, those are issues that will have to be taken into account,” he added.

Marine Parade Cluster comprises grassroots organisations in both Mountbatten and MacPherson SMCs and Marine Parade GRC.

The Marine Parade shuttle bus service had drawn attention from opposition MPs, who questioned in Parliament the Government’s approach to equity and fairness in the use of taxpayer-funded grants to run the service.

They also asked why the MPs for the Marine Parade cluster are fronting the free shuttle, with their caricatures on one side of the buses.

Responding to these questions, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Alvin Tan told Parliament in August 2024 that the CDC grant of $200,000 was provided on a one-off basis, and that grassroots organisations in Marine Parade have to raise funds to cover the cost of operations, or refine its financing model, to sustain the service.

The service costs about $1 million to operate over a year, he added.

Mr Tan also said featuring on the buses people and landmarks that are familiar to residents would help with identifying the vehicles.

In addition to the drawings of the MPs’ faces, the shuttle buses also bear images of landmarks in the area, such as Wisma Geylang Serai.

 

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Over 36,000 HDB households set to benefit from upgrading works in their neighbourhoods​

Under the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, 17 projects island-wide will get a $165 million facelift.PHOTO: ARTIST'S IMPRESSIONS/A D LAB
Isabelle Liew
Apr 06, 2025

SINGAPORE – Over 36,000 households living in HDB flats across Singapore are set to benefit from upgrades in their neighbourhoods under two different schemes. These upgrades could include the introduction of new facilities such as covered walkways, drop-off porches and senior-friendly amenities.

Under the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP), 17 projects island-wide – including areas in Bukit Panjang, Sembawang and Sengkang – will get a $165 million facelift, National Development Minister Desmond Lee said on April 6.

These upgrades are expected to benefit more than 25,000 households.

HDB said on April 6 that improvements for each project under the NRP are tailored based on residents’ feedback. Sheltered linkways, seating areas, fitness corners, drop-off porches and residents’ corners are among the structures that could be built.

Separately, the Silver Upgrading Programme, which provides senior-friendly enhancements to older precincts that already underwent upgrading in the past, will be rolled out progressively to another 12 precincts. A precinct refers to a smaller area within a larger neighborhood.

These precincts are in Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Merah and Toa Payoh, and the enhancements will benefit 11,000 households, Mr Lee said.

Speaking at the Housing Board’s Community Build Day held at a neighbourhood park in Toa Payoh, he added: “Now, HDB homes have a very special place in many Singaporeans’ hearts, so we continuously want to keep them liveable and vibrant for residents and to refresh them to meet evolving needs over time.”

Works under the NRP are fully funded by the Government.

Since 2007, when the programme was introduced, over $1.5 billion has been set aside to fund 229 projects. This total does not include the latest batch of 17 projects.

Mr Lee said 131 projects have been completed by March, benefiting about 187,000 households. The remaining 98 projects, comprising over 103,000 households, are in progress.

All eligible HDB blocks built up to 1995 have been selected for the NRP, and the programme has been extended to blocks built up to 1999, HDB said.

The board will also increase funding for NRP projects to provide more senior-friendly amenities, including therapeutic gardens, fitness trails and way-finding features. Such features can include signage with pictograms, for instance.

Mr Desmond Lee said the authorities aim to keep HDB estates liveable and vibrant for residents. The Minister for National Development was speaking at the HDB Community Build Day in Toa Payoh on April 6. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
The budget for senior-friendly amenities under the NRP will be raised to around $6,600 per flat, up from $6,100 per flat at present.

These enhancements are in line with Age Well SG, a national programme that supports seniors in ageing well at home and in their communities, Mr Lee noted.

As for the Silver Upgrading Programme, HDB said upgrading works at the 12 precincts will be completed in stages from the second half of 2027. Details on the specific works will be announced when ready, it added.

The programme focuses on upgrading works in precincts that have higher densities of seniors but which may not qualify for the NRP.

HDB said works in four precincts in Chong Boon in Ang Mo Kio – which were selected for the inaugural batch of the programme in 2024 and consists of about 3,400 households – are slated for completion in the second half of 2026.

Fitness trails with senior-friendly exercise equipment, rest stops with seats and a therapeutic garden were among the new features planned for the precincts, HDB said.

Toa Payoh resident Chen Xiu, 70, said she hopes for colourful flowers to be planted around her block when it undergoes the Silver Upgrading Programme.

The block the retired teacher lives in, which was built in 1970 and was among the 12 precincts picked for the upgrading programme, could use more vibrancy, she said, adding that she was otherwise satisfied with amenities in the area.

These upgrades under the Silver Upgrading Programme in four Ang Mo Kio precincts are expected to benefit about 3,400 households. PHOTOS: ARTIST’S IMPRESSIONS/A D LAB
Turning to upgrading programmes at flat-level, Mr Lee said more grants will be provided to residents whose homes are ineligible for the Lift Upgrading Programme. This programme, introduced in 2001, retrofits older blocks with lifts that stop on every floor.

He said the Lift Upgrading Programme has provided direct lift access to residents in over 5,000 HDB blocks since 2001.

Although 99 per cent of all HDB blocks have direct lift access, he noted that the remaining 1 per cent are not eligible for the programme due to cost or technical constraints.

“We recognise that some households residing in blocks (without direct lift access on every floor) may have more urgent need for direct lift access due to their family members’ medical or mobility conditions,” HDB added.

From April 6, the Lift Access Housing Grant, which helps residents in urgent need of direct lift access to buy a new HDB flat or a resale flat, will give up to $80,000 for families and up to $40,000 for singles.

The grant, introduced in 2020, previously gave up to $30,000 for families and $15,000 for singles.

Mr Lee said: “We hope this significant enhancement will make it easier for even more households with mobility challenges to move to a new home that can better support their accessibility needs.”

At the event, Mr Lee, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Saktiandi Supaat and HDB chief executive Tan Meng Dui helped to install a climbing net at a new playground in the park at Block 9 Toa Payoh Lorong 7.

The River Crab playground – modelled after the Johora singaporensis freshwater crab that can be found only in Singapore – is the main feature of the park’s rejuvenation under HDB’s Remaking Our Heartland programme, which aims to renew older estates to make neighbourhoods more sustainable and vibrant.

 

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DBS launches initiative to help heartland merchants build digital marketing skills​

Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean (left) shaking hands with Mr Lim Him Chuan, Singapore Country Head, DBS, at the launch of the Heartland Merchant Banking Package on April 6.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Nadine Chua
Apr 06, 2025

SINGAPORE – Heartland merchants will soon be better equipped to grow their businesses online as part of an initiative by DBS Bank that aims to build the digital marketing know-how of these merchants.

The bank said on April 6 that it is offering online courses to equip merchants to go digital, so they can connect with new customers online and grow their customer base.

These courses will be made available for businesses that sign up for the Heartland Merchant Banking Package, which enables companies who partner with DBS to save up to $1,880 through waivers and cashback benefits.

Speaking to residents at the launch of the initiative at Oasis Terraces in Punggol, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, who anchors Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said: “I’m very happy to see that companies like DBS are stepping up to support our local economy, our consumers, our seniors, our merchants as well.”

“In this way, all of us can work together to prepare for an uncertain future and make sure that come what may, we will come through this together.”

SM Teo was joined by Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MPs – senior ministers of state Janil Puthucheary and Desmond Tan, Mr Sharael Taha and Ms Yeo Wan Ling – and Minister of State Sun Xueling, who is MP for Punggol West SMC.

Noting that the world is going through a turbulent time, SM Teo added: “There are two major wars going on – very tragic wars. But there is also a very serious contestation between the two major powers in the world. Each of them is looking for dominance in a variety of areas, including in the economic domain.”

On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced a decision to impose a 10 per cent tariff on most goods imported into the US.

Two days later, China retaliated with additional tariffs of 34 per cent on US goods.

Addressing this, SM Teo said: “This is going to cause a lot of disruptions in the whole world, with tariffs and counter-tariffs, and it will inevitably have an effect on us.

“So how do we respond, as a country, as a people? The most important thing is that we gird ourselves, prepare ourselves for the future by making sure that we remain strong and stable so that we gather all our strength to face whatever may come.”

Over 800 merchants and residents spent their morning at the launch of the initiative, which was one of the bank’s efforts to commemorate Singapore’s 60th birthday.

The event also included interactive stations for children to learn about healthy digital and financial habits, and a live-stream booth for merchants to better understand how to reach customers online.

Mr Alvin Chua, 46, owner of Seoul Good Korean Restaurant in Punggol East, was one such merchant who tried his hand at promoting his stall’s Korean dishes on a TikTok Shop live stream for the first time.

He said: “Our regular customers have given great and continued support for Seoul Good Korean Restaurant. At the same time, we want to share our food with new groups of diners who may not live in the area.”

He added that the live stream was fun, and that he is looking forward to engaging more customers online.

Mr Lim Him Chuan, Singapore country head at DBS, said: “Heartland merchants play an essential role in society by providing the goods and services that fuel our daily lives. They are more than just businesses – they are the heart of our neighbourhoods and contribute greatly to our unique local heritage. DBS is privileged to have grown alongside the nation over the years, and we are excited to be paying tribute to our merchants and to continue supporting their growth in a digital economy.”

​

 

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3 new bus services in Toa Payoh, Tampines and Whampoa to be rolled out by June​

The services are being rolled out under a $900 million initiative to improve public bus connectivity launched in 2024. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Vanessa Paige Chelvan
Apr 07, 2025

SINGAPORE – Three new bus services that will ply the estates of Tampines, Whampoa and Toa Payoh will be launched by June, under a bus service enhancement programme to better connect residents to transport nodes and key amenities.

These services are being rolled out under a $900 million initiative to improve public bus connectivity launched in July 2024.

Service 299 will operate daily between Tampines North Interchange and Tampines Street 96 from April 27, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a statement on April 7.

This will provide residents with a direct connection to the interchange and key amenities, such as Our Tampines Hub, and call at bus stops at Tampines MRT station, St Hilda’s Secondary School and Temasek Polytechnic.

In a Facebook post on April 7, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said the introduction of service 299 will benefit residents of the new housing developments in Tampines South, taking them to Tampines Bus Interchange and MRT station, and amenities in the town centre.

The other new service is 21X, which will operate between Whampoa and Novena from April 28. The service will provide a faster connection to Novena MRT station for residents in the Whampoa area, LTA said.

The loop service will start and end at St Michael’s Bus Terminal, with stops along Jalan Bahagia, Kim Keat Road, Thomson Road – where Novena MRT station is located – and Jalan Tenteram.

It will supplement service 21 and serve selected stops, the authority added. Service 21X will operate on weekdays, excluding public holidays, during the morning and evening peak periods.

Both services 299 and 21X will be operated by SBS Transit.

The third new service, 230M, will serve residents of Kim Keat Avenue. The route will take them to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange and MRT station, LTA said.

Mr Chee, an MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, said the introduction of service 230M will make it more convenient for Kim Keat Avenue residents to travel to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange and MRT station.

The launch of the service was based on feedback from residents and fellow Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Saktiandi Supaat, Mr Chee said.

It also announced additional trips on City Direct service 671 between Sengkang and the Central Business District, and adjustments to an existing service, 292, to ply Tampines Street 11 in both directions.

LTA said the adjustments to services 671 and 292 will be made by June. Service 230M is expected to be rolled out at around the same time.

More details will be shared closer to the implementation of these changes, LTA added.

The authority said it will continue to spend its resources “prudently” as it continues to grow the bus network. “LTA will monitor travel patterns and feedback from the community, and adjust bus services as needed to serve commuters across different parts of Singapore.”

So far, 11 new services have been launched under the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme since July 2024 to improve connectivity to estates across the island, Mr Chee noted.

A total of 43 existing services have also been enhanced, he noted, by increasing the frequency of bus trips or expanding their coverage.

 

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Cheaper food and drinks at 140 coffee shops to celebrate SG60​

The coffee shops operated by Badaling, Broadway, Chang Cheng, Koufu and Select Group are offering different deals till the end of the year.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

Elisha Tushara
Apr 07, 2025

SINGAPORE – Cheaper food and drinks will be available at 140 coffee shops across the island, as five coffee shop chains celebrate the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence in 2025.

The coffee shops operated by Badaling, Broadway, Chang Cheng, Koufu and Select Group are offering different deals till the end of the year, from 60-cent canned drinks and hot beverages to $6 set meals for two persons.

At 24 out of 45 FoodHub outlets run by Badaling, customers who spend $6 in a single receipt can get a canned drink, such as F&N Pineapple Juice or Pokka Japanese Roasted Tea, for just 60 cents. This offer started in mid-March and will last until mid-September.

In July and August, 26 out of 32 Chang Cheng outlets will sell an SG60 set for $6. It comprises one kopi-o kosong (coffee without milk and sugar), one teh-o kosong (tea without milk and sugar), two sets of traditional kaya toast and four half-boiled eggs.

Chang Cheng chief financial officer Jacky Peh said: “We want to encourage everyone to embrace healthier beverage choices by reducing sugar intake.”

He was speaking at the launch of the initiative on April 7 at Chang Cheng Mee Wah coffee shop in Bukit Batok.

Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Low Yen Ling, who launched the initiative, said she was encouraged to see local businesses organising various initiatives in support of SG60.

“We’re very happy to see that five coffee shop chain operators have come together to launch SG60 promotions and deals... so that they can together provide extra value and support to fellow Singaporeans,” said Ms Low.

From April 15 to the end of the year, $3.50 chicken rice will be offered between 3pm and 5pm at Wen Chang Hainanese Chicken Rice stalls in 23 out of 24 Broadway outlets.

(From left) Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Low Yen Ling with Chang Cheng chief financial officer Jacky Peh and general manager Soh Koon Ghee on April 7.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Mr Tan Kay Siang, a marketing executive at Broadway, told The Straits Times that a plate of chicken rice usually costs $4, and the company wants to be a part of the SG60 promotions by offering discounts on a local favourite dish.

“We want to give back to society, and have something more affordable for everyone. We understand that times have been difficult, so we try to do our best,” said Mr Tan.

Koufu will offer four dine-in deals at different times of the year at 63 out of its 77 outlets. They include discounts on dim sum dishes and breakfast sets. In addition, from April 1 to Dec 31, holders of the PAssion Silver Card, Pioneer Card and Merdeka Card can enjoy some hot drinks at 60 cents on weekdays from 3pm to 5pm.

Select Group also has a similar offer, with hot drinks going for 60 cents in July and August, from 3pm to 6 pm daily, at all four of its coffee shops.

A mock-up showing promotion deals offered by Chang Cheng Mee Wah at the launch of the SG60 deals at coffee shops across the island.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Details on all the SG60 coffee shop promotions can be found on the SG60 website.

Ms Low, who is also the Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, also gave an update on the community budget meal scheme, which began in May 2023.

These budget meals are now available at 250 coffee shops, up from 231 in 2024, with 604 food stalls taking part.

These lunch or dinner options are typically priced at $3.50 or less, and drinks cost up to $1.20. Under the initiative, all rental HDB coffee shops that renew their tenancy from May 2023 must offer at least four budget meals and two budget drink options.

Some supermarket operators have also rolled out deals for the community as part of the SG60 celebrations.

FairPrice is offering discounts on its popular house-brand products for 12 weeks, from March 6 to May 28.

Blue Chas card holders can enjoy a 4 per cent discount every Thursday at Sheng Siong supermarkets from March 1 to Dec 31.