Message by Tan Boon Huat CED,PA

Message

I thank Mr Low Foo Yong for his many years of service to the People”s Association.  Mr Low’s dedication to the PA is clearly seen through the blog, where he has carefully recorded his personal impressions and thoughts about PA and our community bonding mission.

I urge visitors to this blog to take time to read about and appreciate the nation building journey that PA and Singapore have made over the four decades recorded here

Mr Tan Boon Huat, Chief Executive Director, People’s Association

                   Wishing People’s Association more good years to come   “ Bringing People Together “

My 50-Year PA Passion + Singapore Transformation

My Passion – 38 years with PA

• OBS from dream to reality
• The Singapore Story Exhibition
• Tanjong Pagar
• National campaigns
• PA Staff Club
• Hon Su Sen
• Local leadership grassroots democracy
• Grassroots Leaders (60s and Now)
• PA/CC Staff (60s and Now)
• Q18A
• Youthship 76 – NL
• Major Events Involvement
• PA/ CC Still relevant and useful today
• Singapore Transformation at a glance (50 years)

Passion for PA – 12 years as volunteer (since 20.11.1998)

          Fengshan (east Coast GRC)

• Vice Chairman of Fengshan CCMC since February 1, 1999. Fengshan CCC member from April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2005. 
• Active projects involvement/ contribution – namely Fengshan Souvenir Magazine, Community Quiz for IRCC, charity Fun Walk, Fengshan Qigong Mass Display (Bedok Stadium), IRCC Opening and Multi social traditional games, e-Fengshan, Fengshan Workshop (Pasir Ris), Fengshan CC upgrading works.
• For information – as general manager for Fengshan PCF from December 1, 1998 to December 31, 2003. Fengshan community services covered Marine Parade IT centres, IT Fairs, Children’s Creativity IT clubc, PCF Fengshan Computer-aided Learning Programme, Students’ Community Involvement Programme, Ministry of Education Learning Centre (Teachers trained and Centres done).

 Qigong Shi Ba Shi – mass movement in Singapore

• Currently (September 9, 2009), still very active with 150 qigong groups, 1200 instructors/ demonstrators and 20,000 qigong enthusiasts practising the Qigong Shi Ba Shi every morning throughout all corners in Singapore. Last 2 years with the English-educated qigong members emerged.
• “Life is great with Qigong” for community bonding, social cohesion and racial harmony. Our qigong leaders and participants enjoy our Lunar New Year gathering, Annual celebration dinners and mass displays.
• Presently, Q18A together with Northwest CDC and 2 other CDCs to promote Qigong and Brisk walk at the Residents’ door steps.

My Thoughts and Reflections

 I’m very happy working with so many dedicated and helpful volunteer qigong officials, group leaders, instructors, demonstrators and well wishers in leading the Qigong movement in Singapore. Our Association members are well respected and trusted by government bodies, PA, Sports Council, HDB, SNWF, CDCs, MPs, GRLs and general public. Currently working closely with Northwest CDC and 2 other CDCs together with China Health Qigong Association (CHQA) to further promote Qigong for benefits of all people

 

 

Singapore Transformation (50 years) at a glance

From social ills to modern living now

From 1^st factory in Jurong Park to many Industrial Towns and Science Park

From street market to huge air-conditioned supermarts

From simple single storey CCs (urban/ social) to modern CC complex together with Police, childcare centre, fast food company, private tuition centres and other civic organisations

Not forgetting social harmony, social cohesion and community bonding (Well, strong and united at all times)

My Thoughts and Reflections

I have a healthy and happy family. My three children are all married. I have four grandchildren (2 boys 2 girls). PA has progressed well with the people in nation building, community bonding and social cohesion with extended families of the 5 CDCs (Community Development Councils).

PA + CC still Relevant and Useful to-day

Racial Harmony, Community Bonding and Nation Building through social recreation and community projects

Integration of old and new Singapore Citizens for community bonding and gracious living

Inter-racial confidence circle  (July Racial Harmony Day) to keep us reminded of the importance of social cohesion in our progress and prosperity as a nation.

Festivals’ celebrations enable us to share the joys of diverse ethnic groups in Singapore (Community Day/ National Day Dinner included)

Lunar New Year Hongbao, scholarship bursary awards, educational grants, Puasa Porridge giving – Show our community spirit and care for the needy and less privileged residents in our constituency.

National campaigns, Sars – Mask wearing/ keep our hands clean, Keep mosquito free, Tree planting keeps us healthy, Fit and gracious living in a modern global Singapore

Emergency preparedness put us on alert for possible terrorists’ attacks or any national calamity

My Thoughts and Reflections 

 Treasure and build on our important and purposeful community heritages, tested against the odds for the past 30 years. These GROs, GRLs and various community task forces such as IRCC, RC, NC, TC and CDC will help us in facing and solving national troubles smoothly and speedily.

Major Projects Involvement

TV Telefun Series to promote inter-public-housing estates friendships and community bonding (Selection Rounds 6/5/79 to 8/7/79) and (TV telecast recording 22/9/79 to 4/11/79) (I was chief coordinators for the games’ competitions and cheer groups judging)

Xin Yao performances at Singapore Conference Hall 1978

PA 5^th, 20^th and 30^th anniversary celebration Exhibition and Social magazine

Singapore River Hongbao (SRHB) light out night – crowd control management work since 1987

Singapore Dragon Boat Festival (SDBF) – culture village + educational exhibition 2001and 2002

Many other major projects including Children Cut Competition. Mooncake Festival, Chingay, PA Expo, National Pugilistic competition, Traditional games, Fun ‘O’ Rama for Youths etc…

Qigong Shi Ba Shi Association (Q18A) – “Life is great with qigong” – since 1987

My Thoughts and Reflections

A colorful life with so many interesting and purposeful major projects for community bonding, and national goals.

Youthship 1976 – National Leader

1.  Ship for South-East Asians Youth programme was sponsored by Japanese government to promote goodwill and friendship between Japan and Asean Youth.

2.     I was chosen by People’s Association to lead the Singapore contingent of 30 youths from various youth organisations in Singapore. They came from all walks of life and different educational background and ethnic groups representing the harmonious multi-racial and social cohesive people of Singapore

3.     The trip started from Malaysia (3/10/76) via Jakarta, Port Klang (Malaysia), Singapore, and Bangkok and ended in Tokyo (26/11/76). The programme included country presentation, Youth Exchange onboard the ship “Nippon Maru”, country visit, home stay and educational tours.

4.      Singapore youth leader was Illangovan , Assistant Youth Leader Jassie Ee Leong Chow and 28 other Singapore youths. All had a wonderful experience on exposing themselves to bigger countries with large rural populations and with different mindsets/ expectations. They had a great surprise to play snow at Mount Fuji.

My Thoughts and Reflections

It was an experience of a lifetime. Meeting heads of Japan and Asean countries and visiting so many counties at one time. Wonderful trip came with heaving responsibilities to take care of all 30 Singapore youths and the good name/ reputation of our nation. 

Qigong Shi Ba Shi Association (Q18A) (Life is Great with Qigong

1987   –    Secretary  General   :

1.     Long Queue for centralised training at PA HQ

2.     Solving disputes among qigong leaders/ groups.

3.     Solving complaints by residents on noise pollutions

4.     Organise mobile displays to showcase the proper way for qigong practice and allocate more people to join qigong to keep fit through healthy exercise

5.     Coordinate with PA on qigong music with national songs and mass display for Q18A

Since 1996 as Association’s Affairs Advisor

1.     Centralised training and proper conduct of Demonstrators and Instructors( red/ white uniform) (One mountain, one tiger to maintain group harmony and proper discipline at their qigong groups)

2.     Annual Lunar New Year gatherings and Annual Association Celebration Dinner – emphases to all groups and leaders “Unity is Strength “

3.     Working closely with PA, SSC, SPF, CDCs, HDB etc to promote qigong and healthy lifestyle for all people in Singapore

4.     8^th Anniversary celebration magazines

5.     Many qigong leaders received National Day awards and SCC/ HDB Outstanding Awards in promoting healthy lifestyle

My Thoughts and Reflections

Heartening to find so many dedicated adult/ elderly volunteers help to promote qigong for the benefits of the people in terms of keep-fit, good health and better social lifestyle. Indeed life is great with qigong.

PA/CC Staff now

• Young and better educated – IT Savvy and well versed with Email  + SMS
• Customer service counter to serve general public with nicely published informative leaflets and online enquiry of CC courses
• More professional approach in PA/CC work
• Contract out projects/ events (Unlike old staff doing many things by themselves and with the people concerned)
• Not so much actively and socially mixed with grassroots leaders and volunteers after office hours.
• More concern of KPI and cost effectiveness in modern management of CC
• Use of power-point presentation in meetings and project discussion

 My Thoughts and Reflections

Expectedly, their working styles  different from old PA/CC staff in early 60s/70s. However their contributions to PA objects and nation building are there too.

PA Staff in early years 60s

Inner-self Passion - Save people affected by social ills (任劳任怨/刻苦耐劳)

1. Early 60s - unemployment and working class families

a)   Bring meaningful life to the people

b)    Towards a more just + equal society

 ( High motivation plus great satisfaction for doing PA/CC work/service.)

2. Help old folks read or write letters – give free tuition to children

3. Arrange free film shows for residents

4. Whole-hearted for community work, PM tours, battle for hearts and mind of the people, Confrontasi (VC), Defence fund/ NS Send off, bridge between people and government

5. CC staff played many roles – running CC, involved in gotong-royong (self-help) project to build road/ clean long grass, staging mobile cultural shows on lorry-stage ( everything done by staff themselves)

6. Arrange civil tours, picnic at PA Holiday Camps and mobilising people to attend official openings of schools, clinics, factories and public housing estates.

My Thoughts and Reflections

During festivals, villagers/ urban residents bring food and drinks to the CC staff to show their appreciation to the CC staff for their dedicated service to the community. This kind of mutual respect and goodwill was evident in early 60s.

Grassroots Leaders in early 1960s

• Well respected
  • Clan associations and kampong leaders
  • Willing to help people especially the needy ones
  • Contributing money to build schools and charity events
  • Helping in resolving conflicts (individuals / family / cliques / gang fights)
• Ready to step forward
  • Assist in national causes and community projects
    (coming out with own movies and help in fundraising)
  • PM Tours (Welcome Committees)
  • Racial Riots (Goodwill Committees)
  • Confrontasi (VC) + NS Send-off / Defence Fundraising
  • CCC/CCMC/WSC Works

• Old GRLs
  • Mostly businessmen, shop/ hawker/ food stall owners or from clan associations

My Thoughts and Reflections

In kampong (village) days and city shophouses’ times, the grassroots leaders are easily spotted for their noble behaviours and helpful actions to the community especially the needy. Their words by mouth are greatly respected and obeyed by the general public.