Singapore Government Press Release
Media Division, Ministry of Information & The Arts, #36-00, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963, Tel: 3757794/5
SPEECH BY MR MATTHIAS YAO, SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY (NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND DEFENCE), AT BUKIT BATOK TOWN COUNCIL'S ISO, MERITORIOUS PIONEER & SERVICE AWARDS CEREMONY ON SATURDAY, 5 OCT 96, AT 12.30 PM, AT VIP GALLERY, BLOCK 767 CHUA CHU KANG
I am pleased to officiate at the ISO 9002 Certification Award Ceremony for the Bukit Batok Town Council. Today's ceremony marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Town Council concept in Singapore. The government embarked on a bold experiment in 1989 to entrust the running of the public housing estates to Town Councils comprising elected members of Parliament and their team of councillors. The basic objective of this experiment was to give residents more self determination and self reliance.
The Town Council concept enables residents to decide for themselves the kind of environment they prefer and the types of improvement they want in their Towns. This choice and participation in decision making is an important nation building process to help residents foster stronger community spirit. Furthermore, as residents have to accept the consequences of their decisions, they would appreciate the importance of having an effective Town Council to manage their Town. Good leadership can therefore make the difference in transforming the Town into a cohesive and vibrant community.
The Town Council concept has worked well in Singapore.
After the initial start up period, Town Councils went on their task of not only the mundane day to day running of the estates, but also to plan and gather feedback on how to improve the living conditions in their Towns. At the back of their mind, the Town Councils were not only conscious of creating a conducive living environment but also that the Towns should be a place where residents can live a full and happy community life.
This can be seen from the many long term development plans initiated by many Town Councils. But such plans can only succeed with the support and co-operation of the residents and provided there are good and effective leaders at the helm to steer the Town Councils.
The Bukit Batok Town Council took over the running of the public housing estates in Bukit batok Town from HDB on 1 Jun 1989. It was one of the first nine Town Councils to be formed under Phase 1 of the implementation programme. From the time of inception, the Council had shown an innovative spirit by initiating many new improvement projects to make life in the Town more pleasant and conducive for the residents. It was the first Town Council to introduce illuminated block signages so that residents and visitors alike would find it easier to visit the homes of their neighbours, friends and relatives.
The marked change in the physical living environment can be seen from the numerous social and recreational facilities introduced by the Bukit Batok Town Council for the young and old such as modern playgrounds, adventure playland, cosy corners, reflexology paths, fitness parks, hydroponics farms etc. In the near future, the Town will boast of a new wading pool between Block 6 and 7 Teck Whye Estate, the first of its kind to be implemented by a Town Council. This is not all. I understand that the Town Council has other innovative plans in the pipeline to make the Town an even better place to live in.
The Bukit Batok Town Council is an excellent example of how a Town Council, led by capable and effective MPs and a team of dedicated and hardworking councillors, can transform the Town into a cohesive and vibrant community. Today's ISO 9002 Certification award to Bukit Batok Town Council bears testimony that the Town Council has now come of age. I am confident that with capable and effective leadership and a team of committed councillors in place, the residents of Bukit Batok Town can continue to look forward to a bright and better future.
I wish the Town Council every success in its future endeavours.
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