Singapore Government Press Release

Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts

36th Storey, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963.

Tel: 3757794/5

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Good morning

 My parliamentary colleagues

 Grassroots leaders

 Ladies and gentlemen

This morning we celebrate the official opening of the new Bishan Community Club.

This Community Club was built at a cost of about $11 million. Out of this, $3.1 million was raised by the Bishan Community Club Building Fund Committee. I commend its able Chairman,

Mr Cheng Wai Keung and Committee Members who come from both Bishan East and Bishan-Toa Payoh North Divisions for their effort, sense of commitment and achievement. I also wish to thank the donors, including Singapore Totalisator Board, Wing Tai Holdings Ltd, Kuan Im Thong Temple, PD Manufacturing International Pte Ltd, Great Malaysia Textile Investments Pte Ltd, Kajima Overseas Asia Pte Ltd, Ventura Development Pte Ltd, Western Properties Pte Ltd and the many other well wishers for their generous contributions. I commend the residents for their support for the various fund-raising projects.

Today, we are also here to witness the launching of Singapore ONE Clubs at Bishan Community Club and seven other community centres and community clubs. Singapore ONE will bring about a whole new way of accessing and transacting information for business, entertainment and education. It is also a new way of working, living and learning. I hope that residents will join the Singapore ONE Clubs to enjoy the benefits of the wide range of services available.

Some of you may recall that the first six Residents’ Committees (RCs) were formed in 1978. Today, we have 480 RCs and about 10,000 members serving the residents in the public housing estates. I commend their success in promoting self-help and community bonding in the HDB estates. All these RCs take care of residents in the HDB estates. There is no similar set-up in private housing estates.

So this morning, I am pleased to announce that the People’s Association (PA) will launch a pilot project in June this year to form 11 similar committees in private estates – Telok Blangah, Pasir Panjang, Moulmein, Tanglin, Ulu Pandan, Hong Kah West, Bukit Gombak and Paya Lebar. They will be called Neighbourhood Committees (NCs). The PA will form NCs gradually in more private estates. The formation of the NCs is one of the recommendations of the Second Triennial Conference for Grassroots Organisations held in October last year.

Like the RCs, the NCs will promote neighbourliness, harmony and cohesiveness among the residents of private housing estates. Besides organising social, recreational and other wholesome activities for the residents, the NCs will also serve as the bridge between the residents and the Government. The NC members will convey the residents' needs and suggestions to the relevant government departments. They will also help to explain government policies to the residents and channel their feedback to the Government. Hence, the NCs will help to build a strong sense of identity and promote community bonding among the residents. I sincerely urge the capable residents living in the private housing estates to come forward to lead and serve in the NCs.

As a start, the PA will provide secretariat and other support to help the NCs to embark on activities which are useful to the residents. For example, the NCs can work with the Police and other grassroots organisations to implement crime prevention programmes such as Neighbourhood Watch Zone Scheme for their estates. They can also work with other government agencies to improve the cleanliness and environment of their estates.

The construction of Bishan Community Club and other development projects for Bishan and Toa Payoh are part of the national effort to build and upgrade our infrastructures to improve our quality of life and to stay ahead in this increasingly competitive world. However, Singapore can only sustain this success if its economy continues to do well. Before the regional economic crisis which began in July 1997, Singapore has been enjoying rapid economic progress and domestic harmony. Singapore has suffered less during this regional economic crisis because of our strong fundamentals and high savings. But if the crisis prolongs, its adverse effects on us can be serious. Singapore may then face more hardships if our major economic partners do not recover.

The current regional economic crisis is a real test for Singaporeans. Our harmony and unity during periods of prosperity are not a real test. Can Singaporeans show the same fighting spirit, discipline and determination as their forefathers and older Singaporeans had during the turbulent 50s and 60s? In those years the Government together with the people and community leaders fought against the communists, communalists, secret societies and other anti-nationals in our struggle for independence and economic development. Can Singaporeans now pass the acid test to remain united and harmonious during this regional economic crisis? Every battle won begins with optimism. I believe we can pass the test if we remain rational, calm and keep upgrading our skills. In the history of mankind, you will find tough times don’t last, tough people do. Singaporeans can do it again if they put their will to it.

Finally, I would like to encourage Bishan residents to make good use of this modern Community Club. The Building Fund Committee has completed its task of building this magnificent Community Club. The CCMC now looks forward to the active participation and support of the residents to make this Community Club the hub of community activities in Bishan New Town.

I am now happy to declare Bishan Community Club open.

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