5 December 1999

SPEECH BY RADM TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND 2ND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, MP FOR PASIR RIS GRC AND ADVISOR TO PASIR RIS TOWN COUNCIL AT THE PASIR RIS GRC TOWN DAY ’99 ON 5TH DECEMBER 99 (SUNDAY) AT 9:30 AM AT THE OPEN FIELD OUTSIDE PASIR RIS MRT STATION

Mr Charles Chong, MP for Pasir Ris GRC, Chairman of Pasir Ris Town Council; Mr Ahmad Magad and Mr Ong Kian Min, MPs for Pasir Ris GRC, and Vice Chairmen of Pasir Ris Town Council;

Town Councillors, Resource Members, grassroots leaders, residents, ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning. I hope that you feel more invigorated after the Great Singapore Workout.

Town Day is special because it provides an opportunity for residents from every corner of our Pasir Ris GRC to come together for a day of fun and interaction. Residents from all our different neighbourhoods can get to know each other better. And it is also an opportunity for my fellow MPs and our grassroots leaders to meet residents and feel the pulse of the town.

Allow me to take this opportunity to provide you an update on the projects which have been completed, or are underway to reinforce community bonding and to improve Pasir Ris GRC.

In the last three years, the Town Council with the support of the government has implemented three Interim Upgrading Projects in Pasir Ris South.

The first IUP project in Pasir Ris GRC was carried out for Blocks 408 to 417 Tampines Street 41. This was completed at the end of 1998. The second IUP project, benefiting the residents of Blocks 418 to 424 is expected to be completed next month. And residents of Blocks 401 to 407 Tampines Street 41 have been selected for the next upgrading project which will commence next year.

We are fortunate that despite the economic downturn in the past two years that these blocks of older flats, a total of 24 in all, have or will soon benefit from the Interim Upgrading Programme.

I am also pleased to be able to update residents on the development of the Pasir Ris 21 project. After many rounds of discussion and months of gathering feedback, Pasir Ris Town Council has finalised the plans.

Phase 1 of the Community Mall in the Pasir Ris 21 project will kick off in the second quarter of year 2000. Phase 1 consists of an estimated 1.5 km long bicycle path and pedestrain walkway from Loyang Point to Pasir Ris Drive 1. It will add to the comfortable and relaxed lifestyle that residents in Pasir Ris enjoy. As part of this project, play areas will be enhanced with new and additional recreational facilities. To maximise community interaction, seating facilities and shelters will also be included as part of the upgrading.

To further strengthen our community bonding, an overhead bridge linking Pasir Ris South with the other three divisions in Pasir Ris GRC has been constructed. This facility will provide convenience and ensure the safety of students and the general public when commuting on foot or bicycles. More importantly, residents from both sides of the Tampines Expressway will feel part of the same Pasir Ris GRC family.

Pasir Ris 21 and the Interim Upgrading Projects help to improve and beautify the surroundings. I hope that residents will make use of the facilities as a place for community interaction and thus strengthen community bonding.

Residents will also be glad to know that under the guidance of Mr Ahmad Magad, building work for Pasir Ris Central Community Club has already commenced in October 99. The Community Club will also house a Neighborhood Police Centre and community facilities run by the Association of Muslim Professionals. It is expected to be completed in early 2001. Together with the Community Centre in Pasir Ris South, this new 6-storey CC located at Pasir Ris Drive 1 will act as focal points for interaction amongst Pasir Ris residents.

The Pasir Ris Polyclinic will be located near Blk 537 Pasir Ris Drive 1. To maximize land use, a nursing home will be co-located with it. The Polyclinic will provide a full range of facilities for family health care. It comprises outpatient medical care for acute and chronic conditions, minor surgical operations, maternal and childcare services. It will also include support facilities such as X-ray, laboratory, etc. The Polyclinic which is targeted to commence operations in 2002 will make it more convenient for residents living around here. It will also make it more convenient for residents staying in Pasir Ris South by reducing the queues at Tampines Polyclinic.

To date, there are four Children’s Community Libraries located in Pasir Ris GRC with the latest addition being in Loyang division. These libraries, together with the PAP Community Foundation kindergartens in Pasir Ris GRC have been developed under the guidance of Mr Ong Kian Min.

These libraries are easily accessible to parents and young children. The libraries are also equipped with facilities such as computers and, have activities such as a reading programme and story-telling sessions. They will help to nurture the reading and learning habit in our children.

I would also like to keep our residents informed of the important role that the Northeast Community Development Council, under the Chairmanship of Mr Charles Chong, has been playing in the community since its establishment. The NE CDC has set up several schemes to help those in need.

One of the schemes, the Neighborhood Medical Assistance Scheme offers free consultation and subsidized medical fees up to $25 for needy residents Under the Neighborhood Provisions Assistance Scheme, residents in need will be given coupons to buy groceries at designated provision shops. To ensure that every child has an opportunity in education, Northeast CDC will give a grant to children from low-income families when taking courses organized by the CCs or RCs. The Bus-Stamp Subsidy Scheme was also set up to help students in difficulties. In return, students who benefited will contribute one-hour of community work.

Pasir Ris GRC is also preparing itself for the information society of the future with a number of projects. Pasir Ris Town Council, Pasir Ris Loyang CCC and Elias CCC, with the help of some volunteers, has developed their own web site to keep in touch with residents. Residents, especially those who have just moved in, will find the website useful for learning about the Town and getting around the estate.

We want to keep our residents updated on issues, policies, and town news. The website will allow information to be disseminated more quickly. On the other hand, we also seek the views, ideas and suggestions of residents on matters that are important to them, such as improvement projects, types of facilities and amenities, ways to keep costs down, etc. I strongly encourage everyone to play an active role in the sharing of information and contributing suggestions and ideas for the overall improvement of our estate.

Because residents of Pasir Ris GRC are well informed and willing to try new ideas, the Town Council has decided to take part in a trial project to implement Smart Lockers in selected void decks. These lockers will provide an innovative way for retailers to deliver goods which residents have ordered via e-commerce over the Internet. Customers can then pick up the goods at their convenience.

I have taken the opportunity this morning to update you on some of the many projects and programmes that have improved the lives of residents in Pasir Ris GRC over the last three years. There are others such as the widening of Loyang Avenue, or new schools, that I have not mentioned.

But the most important ingredient for making Pasir Ris our Best Home is the community spirit of our residents.

I am therefore delighted to note that this Town Day is a community effort by the Town Council, various grassroots organisations and schools. They have prepared several performances to showcase their talents. I am also glad to see that the Residents’ Committees have actively participated in the running of the games and food stalls.

I congratulate Mr Simon Tan, Chairman of the Organising Committee and his committee, grassrooots leaders, the various participating organisations and staff of Pasir Ris Town Council for the good work. Your co-operation and team spirit have contributed towards the success of the Town Day.

Most importantly, we have the active participation from our residents. Your presence is an indication of your strong support and an encouragement for us to do even better.