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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SPEECH BY DR RICHARD HU, MINISTER FOR FINANCE AND MP FOR KRETA AYER-TANGLIN GRC AT CENTRAL SINGAPORE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS ON FRIDAY, 12 MAR 99 AT 7.30 PM AT THE GRASSROOTS CLUB, 190 ANG MO KIO AVENUE 8

It is an honour to be invited to join you in celebrating the First Anniversary of the establishment of the Central Singapore Community Development Council. In its first year of operations, the Central Singapore CDC has already initiated 28 community bonding projects and 143 community activities, which reach out to more than 200,000 residents in the Central Singapore CDC district. This is a very commendable achievement and I would like to congratulate Mr Loh Meng See, Chairman of the Central Singapore CDC and its Council members for a job well done.

The Government is confident that local communities can and should assume responsibility for the well-being of their residents. Each local community has its own unique needs and identity. With greater autonomy given to local communities to mobilise their own financial and manpower resources, the special needs of all Singaporeans can be met through the country-wide network of 9 CDCs. As the more successful in the community help the less successful, the spirit of mutual self-help will strengthen the social fabric that binds our people together.

Although there are signs that the financial turmoil in the region has bottomed out, the process of recovery will be slow and it may be several years before a return to normal growth can be expected. Singapore has weathered the downturn better than our neighbours, but the next few years will be difficult ones as our economy is inextricably linked with the region. It is against this background that the mission of the CDCs will assume greater importance as Singapore’s ability to survive the economic storm depends crucially on the social cohesiveness of our people in facing the challenges ahead. I would therefore like to urge all the leaders of grassroots’ organisations, voluntary welfare organisations and corporate companies to work together with the CDC for the good of the community and its residents.

The Central Singapore CDC has made a good start in bonding the communities together through the many programmes and projects which have been launched.

The Community Focus Plans (CFPs) is a combined effort of the grassroots leaders, residents and the police to tackle community issues concerned with the safety and security of our local neighbourhoods.

1999 is declared as the "International Year of the Older Persons". For the elderly in the Central Singapore CDC district, a "Mega-health Screening for the Elderly" will be organised in all the 14 divisions. This is to ensure that all the elderly people in our district will have access to thorough health and medical check-ups.

Today’s youth will eventually have to take over the helm in leading our society. It is therefore vitally important to inculcate in our young the importance of "social cohesion and racial harmony" which are fundamental to our long-term survival. The CDC has initiated the "High Five Youth Award" to encourage the young to strive towards achieving an all-rounded development, apart from achieving academic excellence. Community work must also be taught while the children are still young. The CDC has therefore involved itself in the Community Involvement Programme (CIP), to assist the schools in teaching our young such virtues.

Finally, I would like to wish the Chairman, Council members, grassroots leaders, the VWOs and residents, every success in your endeavour to achieve the spirit of mutual self-help and social harmony in the Central Singapore CDC district. As Confucius said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step." You have already taken the first step; so move on to the next step. Better still, take a leap forward towards attaining the mission of "fostering community bonding".