INTOUCH

September 2009 Bukit Batok East Newsletter

HIGHLIGHTS

03 11
• Fathers Learning To Make Biscuits • Unity d Strength @ Jurong GRC

04 13
• Downtown Line 2 Coming Your Way! • Fruits Floor Party

07 14
• Residents’ Picnic at East Coast Park 2009 • Street Party

For more information about Bukit Batok East, please go to http://www.bukitbatokeast.blogspot.com

 MP MESSAGE
Dear Residents,

This year we celebrate the 44th year of garden, once we see the fruits growing,
our nation’s independence. Forty four we cannot stop nurturing and growing it
years in the history of a nation is a very because at any time everything can just
short period if we were to compare with turn into wild weeds.
many Asian civilizations such as China
or India, or even major developed One way we can continue to strengthen
countries such as the UK or the US. But our racial and religious harmony is by
within this very short period, Singapore creating more common spaces or wet mop that dirties the clothes of our
has achieved so much and in one opportunities for us to get together and friends living below our flat. It is also a lot
generation our people’s lives have to know each other better. This is what easier for friends to talk to each other if
improved tremendously. So, even as we we have been doing in Bukit Batok East they encounter problems because they
worry about our economic downturn due where we celebrate each other’s festivals know that they will not be misunderstood
to the global financial and economic and we strongly promote the work of the or there will be no hostility. In this way, we
crisis, we still have much to celebrate and IRCC or the Inter Racial and Inter Religious also help to develop a more gracious
to be proud of. Confidence Circles. Our residents find neighbourhood and community.
the visits to the different places of worship
One of our greatest achievements is the very useful but more than that we also On this 44th year of Singapore’s National
racial and religious harmony that we hold many floor parties so that we could Day, let us renew our pledge to be
now enjoy. Despite the many racial and get residents of all races to know each one united people regardless of race,
religious conflicts that we see around other better. language or religion.
the world, Singaporeans live at peace
with one another, a great achievement I believe that if we are able to get our I wish all residents a very happy National
considering that we are a multi racial residents to treat each other as friends Day.
and multi religious society. But as the rather than just as neighbours we will solve
Prime Minister said in his National Day a lot of problems. It is lot more difficult Mdm Halimah Yacob
Rally speech this year, this is something to be inconsiderate to our friends such MP for Jurong GRC &
that we cannot take for granted. Like a as by playing loud music or hanging a Adviser to Jurong GRC GROs

各位亲爱的居民, Penduduk yang Dimuliakan,

Pada Hari Kebangsaan Singapura yang

在新加坡44周年国庆之际，让 ke 44 ini, mari kita perbaharui ikrar kita
我们重温把不同种族、语言及 untuk bersatu, tidak kira bangsa, bahasa
宗教的国民紧紧团结在一起的 atau agama. Singapura telah mencapai
kejayaan dan kehidupan rakyatnya telah
誓言。新加坡仅用了短短40多 bertambah baik dalam jangka masa
年，就在国家建设以及提高人 yang singkat, iaitu dalam masa 40 tahun.
民生活水准方面取得了重大成 Oleh itu di sebalik krisis ekonomi dan
kewangan global, kita masih mempunyai
就。因此，即使面对全球金融 sebab untuk meraikan dan berbangga
经济危机，我们仍有理由热烈 dengan pencapaian kita.
庆祝，并引以为荣。
Antara pencapaian terbesar kita adalah
dalam keharmonian bangsa dan
其中一项重大成就是我们所乐 agama yang kita nikmati hari ini dan
见的宗教及种族和谐局面，而 kita tidak boleh pandang remeh. Kita
perlu wujudkan lebih banyak ruang atau
这并不是理所当然的。我们应 peluang untuk bersatu dan mengenali
该创造更多交流的空间和机 satu sama lain dengan lebih baik lagi.
会，促进各方的理解与互信。 Ini yang kita lakukan di Bukit Batok East,
di mana kita meraikan perayaan satu
在武吉巴督东区，我们共同庆 sama lain dan menggalakkan usaha
祝彼此的节日，致力于加强"族 yang dilakukan oleh IRCC atau Kumpulan
群和宗教互信圈"（IRCC）的职 Keyakinan Antara Bangsa dan Antara
Agama (Inter Racial and Inter Religious
能。我们也为各种族居民举办 Confidence Circles.). Kami juga telah
了多姿多彩的坊间聚会，增强 menganjurkan banyak acara untuk
彼此的了解。 memberi peluang kepada penduduk
dari semua bangsa mengenali hati budi
masing-masing.
我相信，如果我们能让居民
们友善为邻，更进一步结为 Saya percaya bahawa jika kita berjaya
mendapatkan penduduk untuk
好友，就能万众一心，排除万 menganggap satu sama lain sebagai
难。朋友间自然会相互关照， kawan dan bukan hanya sebagai jiran,
守望互助，从而打造出一个更 kita akan berjaya menyelesaikan banyak
masalah. Secara semula jadi, kawan
优雅和睦的邻里与社区。 akan menjaga satu sama lain dan itu
membantu menggalakkan kejiranan dan
在此，我祝全体居民国庆快 masyarakat yang berbudi pekerti.
乐。 Saya mengucapkan Selamat Hari
Kebangsaan kepada semua penduduk.

INTOUCH BUKIT BATOK EAST NEWSLETTER

 community news

Welcome Tea Session To All Volunteers

Organiser: CCC Community Lead Promoting the spirit of Volunteerism, Bukit Batok
Champions (CLC) East organised the first Welcome Tea for the
5 Aug 09 / 7.30pm to 9.30pm new Volunteers for 2009 and introduced to
Venue: Bukit Batok East Community Club , them the Grassroots committees' chairmen.
Conference Room Mdm Halimah Yacob was present to extend
her appreciation to welcome the new
volunteers.

Fathers Learning To Make Biscuits

Organiser: Bukit Batok East Family Life

Champions (FLC)
2 Aug 2009 / 10am
Venue: Bukit Batok East CC Homecraft Room

That is cool – 'Biscuit Making Workshop for Men'. Participants (mainly the fathers) have a chance
to practice how to make good and delicious biscuits for their love ones and family members.
Participants were taught how to make 3 simple types of biscuits, namely: Chocolate Chip, Elephant
Ears and Creative Pretzels Chocolate Cookies.

Through this workshop, the Bukit Batok East Family Life Champion aims to promote family bonding and
father-children interaction. Residents can look forward to more of such events in future.

BUKIT BATOK EAST NEWSLETTER INTOUCH 03

community news

Downtown Line 2
Great news for those who
reside, work or study in Bukit
Timah, Upper Bukit Timah
and Bukit Panjang! The
groundbreaking ceremony
held at the Beauty World
site on 3 July 2009 marks
the commencement of the
construction for Downtown
Line 2 (DTL2) which has 12
stations along it’s alignment!

Built fully underground, the

16.6km long DTL2 is a rapid
transit system with 12 stations
and one depot. When
(From left to right) Mr Ang Mong Seng, Dr Teo Ho Pin, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon,CE(LTA)
completed, DTL2 will link Mr Yam Ah Mee, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister Raymond Lim, Chairman(LTA) Mr
commuters from the Bukit Michael Lim C S, PS(MOT) Mr Choi Shing Kwok, Mr Liang Eng Hwa and DyCE(LTA)
Timah corridor to the North- Mr Lim Bok Ngam officiating the groundbreaking for the construction of DTL2.
East Line, North-South Line
and Circle Line respectively,
giving commuters greater
accessibility to the rest of
the island and significantly
improving travel time. It will
link the north-western part of
the island through DTL1 to the
commercial, residential and
entertainment developments
in the Marina Bay area. More
than 60,000 students from 32
schools along the Downtown
Line 2 (DTL2) will also benefit
when it is opened.

As of 3 July 2009, six of the

ten civil contracts have been
awarded. The remaining
four civil contracts would be
awarded by end September Transport Minister Mr Raymond Lim sharing the excitement with the local grassroots
2009. at the groundbreaking ceremony.

04 INTOUCH BUKIT BATOK EAST NEWSLETTER

 community news

Coming Your Way!

Location of Beauty World Station:

Benefits of DTL2
• Enhance accessibility into Marina Bay Financial
Centre and support economic growth and
development of Marina Bay area
• Provide direct connection from the north-western
part of island to Central Business District (CBD) &
Marina area
• Provide greater convenience for residents along the DTL2 corridor with direct link to
the other parts of the island
• Expand MRT network into new corridors and improve connectivity of existing MRT
network
• Provide connections to Circle Line, North-South Line and North-East Line
• Time savings of up to 30 percent with the connections to existing rail networks
through the three interchange stations

Grassroots Seminar 2009 Members of the BBE

Core Team attended
the Grassroots Seminar
“Vision for the Community” on ‘Vision for the
community” on 12
July 09 at the Suntec
Organiser: People's Association City Convention Hall.
12 Jul 2009 / 9am to 5pm In this Seminar the PA
Venue: Suntec City Convention Hall promoted awareness
of the mission :“To
Build and To Bridge
Communities, in
achieving One People,
One Singapore” and the
Motto : “ Bringing People
Together” with Tagline
: “Our Community,
My Responsibility”.
To achieve these
objectives, there
were discussions and
subsequent workshop
sessions on the 3
Strategic Thrusts and 5
Strategic Options.

BUKIT BATOK EAST NEWSLETTER INTOUCH 05

community news

Event: Sunday Brisk Walking During the inhouse training, participants

Date/Time: Every Sunday / 7am to 8am were taught how to use the New Media
Venue: Blk 283, Hard Court, Bukit Batok East Ave 3 that was commonly surfed by the general
Organiser: Bukit Batok East CSC public such as Facebook, Blogger,
Grassroots Connect and NDPees.

Event: Training on Facebook /

Blogger / Grassroots Connect
Organiser: Bukit Batok East
New Media Champions
As part of commitment to healthy lifestyle, Mdm and Family Life Champions
Halimah Yacob lead a group of brisk walkers for a one- Date: 19 Jul 09 / 2pm
hour workout on every Sunday. Venue: Bukit Batok East CC IT’s Room

Event: Parents’ Day Dinner Cum

Variety Show
Date: 20 Jun 09 / 7.30pm to 10.30pm
Venue: Bukit Batok East CC
Organiser: Bukit Batok East CCMC & WEC

Parents’ Day provides a wonderful

opportunity for the society to honor
parents and also for parents themselves
to celebrate their sacrifices and hard
work for their children. Over 400 parents
of Bukit Batok East celebrated this special
occasion over a dinner cum variety show.

Event: CDC/CCC ITE and Polytechnic Bursary and Scholarship Award Presentation Ceremony
Date: 3 Aug 09 / 6.30pm to 8pm
Venue: Bukit Batok East CC, Function Room (Level 4)
Organiser: Bukit Batok East CCC Community Development & Welfare Fund Committee

Mdm Halimah Yacob delivering her

speech and followed by giving away the
cheque awards to all the successful ITE
and Polytechnic students.

06 INTOUCH BUKIT BATOK EAST NEWSLETTER

 community news

Residents’ Picnic at East Coast Park 2009

Organiser: Bukit Batok East CC IAEC & Zone 2 RC

5 Jul 09 / 8am to 5pm
Venue: East Coast Park / Carpark D2

Over 190 residents of Bukit Batok East

decided to have a day of fun at East
Coast Park beach. Other than delicious
food, drinks and lucky draw, the highlight
of the event was the Sandcastle Building
Competition where participants let
out their creative juices through their
innovative designs. The event was a great
success from the view that the participants
experienced an enjoyable time.

Teroka Budaya 2009 Dressed in bright coloured costumes

and beautiful hairdo, children of different
schools went all out to put up a good
Organiser: Bukit Batok East CCMC , MAEC and show in a cultural dance competition.
Celik 244 Over 200 audiences of different races
11 Jul 2009 / 2pm to 5pm turned up to appreciate the colourful
Venue: Bukit Batok East CC Hall Malay Culture. Mdm Halimah Yacob was
the Guest of Honour.

BUKIT BATOK EAST NEWSLETTER INTOUCH 07

community news

NDP 09: Come Together – R

Date/Time: 8 Aug 09 / 6pm to 10.30pm
Venue: Bukit Batok East Ave 4, Blk 283 Hardcourt
Organiser: Bukit Batok East GROs & Community
Patrons, Bukit Batok East CCC & CCMC

Over 2000 residents of Bukit Batok East, together with

Mdm Halimah Yacob and the grassroots leaders
celebrated this year's National Day in a different
way. Instead of the Annual Observance Ceremony,
they included a Mini Parade to instill the celebration
mood. Highlights of the night’s celebration were the
speech by Guest-of-Honour Mdm Halimah Yacob,
the presentation of Community and Long Service
Award, Cake Cutting Ceremony , the Multi-cultural
Variety Show and the Lucky Draws.

08 INTOUCH BUKIT BATOK EAST NEWSLETTER

 community news

Reaching Out, Reaching Up

BUKIT BATOK EAST NEWSLETTER INTOUCH 09

 Congratulations
to our Grassroots leaders on being conferred
The National Day Award (PBM) by the President of the Republic of Singapore

Mdm Annie Teo Mee Fong Mr Richard Ong Chui Chat

Chairman, Bukit Batok East CC Patron of Bukit Batok East CCC
Women’s Executive Committee
Member, Bukit Batok East CC
Management Committee

Bukit Batok East

Community Club Constituency Sports Club
Dear Residents,
If you have the skills and competitive spirit, be part of our team to represent
BBE CSC in the above mentioned sports. For more information, kindly contact
Mr. Frankie Sim @ 65619044
 community news

Unity d Strength @ Jurong GRC

Organiser: Bukit Batok East CSC
28 Jun 09 / 8am to 12pm
Venue: Blk 283, Hard Court, Bukit Batok East Ave 3

Over 3000 residents of Jurong

GRC and grassroots leaders
turned up to support the symbolic
event of the year. 'Unity d
Strength' was mooted to promote
healthy lifestyle and community
spirit among the residents.
Highlights of the event were the
Telematch, the Line Dancing,
the Qigong Performance Mass
Workout and Game Stalls. Mdm
Halimah Yacob together with
MPs for Jurong GRC, Mr Tharman
Shanmugaratnam, Mr Lim Boon
Heng and Ms. Grace Fu also took
part in the event.

BUKIT BATOK EAST NEWSLETTER INTOUCH 11

RC · NC news

Nature View RC
Residents’ Block Party
21 Jun 2009 / 11am
Venue: Blk 288F, Bukit Batok Street 25
This was the fourth round
that Nature View RC
organised its floor party
and this time it was for
residents of Blk 288F.
Mdm Halimah Yacob
was also present to
support the event.

HEALTH
SCREENING

House Visit
23 Jun 2009 / 8am
26 Jul 2009 / 8am Venue: Blk 289A, Bukit Batok Street 25
Venue: NVRC Centre, Bukit Batok Street 25
Residents were excited and joyous to stand
This time round over 40 residents took part in by at the door with open heart to welcome
the basic health screening organised by Nature a very special guest – Mdm Halimah Yacob.
View RC. Participants are required to fast for at Mdm Halimah hoped to gather valuable
least 8 hours before the screening for accurate feedbacks from residents with regards to their
diagnosis. Participants will be briefed by a doctor welfare and state of living.
on their test result 14 days after their screening.

12 INTOUCH BUKIT BATOK EAST NEWSLETTER

 RC · NC news
ZONE 1 RC
FRUITS FLOOR PARTY
Resident of Zone 1 had their fair share of floor party by having
two sessions in the month of Jul. Floor party provides a great
opportunity for neighbours to get to know each other better
and build closer friendship. It is also joyous to have family of
all ages coming together and promote the kampong spirit.

14 Jul 2009 / 7.30pm to 10pm

Venue: Blk 240, Void Deck
Bukit Batok East Ave 5

18 Jul 2009 / 5pm to 8pm

Venue: Blk 232, Playground
Bukit Batok East Ave 5

ZONE 2 RC
FRUITS FIESTA BLOCK PARTY
14 Jul 2009 / 7.30pm to 10pm
Venue: Blk 240, Void Deck
Bukit Batok East Ave 5
Over 100 residents of Zone 2 RC gathered to
enjoy tropical fruits tasting and get to know
one another better.

BUKIT BATOK EAST NEWSLETTER INTOUCH 13

RC · NC news

Hoover Park NC
STREET PARTY

24 Jul 2009 / 8pm to 9.30pm

Venue: Chun Tin Road
Hoover Park NC organised the first
Street Party in Bukit Batok East. About
80 residents along Lower Chun Tin
Road enjoyed delicious buffet,
satay and desserts. Mdm Halimah
Yacob attended the Street Party and
mingled with the residents.

Spring View RC
Floor Party
cum House Visit
30 Jun 2009 / 7pm
Venue: Blk 290E Bukit Batok Street 24
Over 60 residents, together with Mdm Halimah
Yacob and Grassroots leaders took part in the
floor party at Blk 290E. Participants had a night
of fun and also got more acquainted with their
neighbours.

Another floor party was also organised

for residents at Blk 290C, 2nd floor on
18 Jul 2009. 35 residents participated in
the event with the spirit of strengthening
good neighbourliness.

14 INTOUCH BUKIT BATOK EAST NEWSLETTER

Commendable deeds by Yusof Ishak SecondarySpecial
SchoolFeature
students

We are proud of You!

09
Date: 07 Aug 20
y School,
Yuso f Ishak Secondar
Dear Principal of
tok. osed to
staying in Bukit Ba money was supp
I am a resident ou nt of
his boss , th is am contained the
d hi s $9 00 sa lary by cash from ac ci de nt al ly le ft his wallet that
d receive dad
Yesterday, my da way home, my
on e m on th ex penses. On the ew it wh en he got home.
be our family's s 94 7. He only kn
The bus num be r wa l of us were very
$900 in the bus. ap pe tit e to ea t our dinner as al
did not have the mily.
th e po lic e im mediately and we on ey m ea nt a lot to the entire fa
We reported to em
e for 1 month. Th e knocking at
se t, as it wa s our family incom co nd ary school cam
up of Yuso f Ish ak se e do not her
gi rl we aring the uniform ne r of the wallet. She (w
around 6p m , th is we we re th e ow ked her for her
To our surprise, at or , sh e quickly asked if m ily wa s relieved, we as
we opened th e do . Our en tir e fa arch for the
our door. When es s th ro ugh my dad's IC op le , so I try my best to se
locate ou r ad dr lot to yo u pe need to rush
name) managed id , “I kn ow th is might mean a d th e ow ne r of this wallet, and I
sa
name, she just sm
iled and ey, lucky now I fin nt away.
lle t as $9 00 is a big sum of mon or an d wa lke d to the lift and we
owner of this wa at placed on th
e flo
e took her file th a tag with written
ho m e. " Th en , sh
c 3 te xtb oo k, a black file with
se
a social studies
co nd ar y 3 as I saw her taking
I know she is in se
'MZLK' on it.
nt to thank her.
ca n fin d he r, as we would wa
I really hope we

Yours Sincerely,
Jamiie Tan Date: 10 Oc
t 2008
Dear Mr Che
w,
I am writing
in to express
refused to g my heartfelt
ive their nam thank you to
es, for their h two of your st
onesty in retu udents, who
I was rather rning my mo m
pessimistic a bile phone.
had the notio ft e r realizing th
n that ‘once at my mobile
and see if a gone, never phone was n
nyone picks return’. Howe ot with me a
to be switch it u p. My heart ve r, I was advise sI
ed off. I was was about to d to try callin
one of the st ta ken aback w si n k as I imagin g
udents picke hen it was n ed the phon
collect my p d it up and with o t, a nd even surp e
hone. out hesitatio rised when
n, offered to
wait for me
What I admire to
most was he
uniform – to readily men
ease me ide tioned he w
Well, anyone ntifying him as in a Yuso
could have when I reac f Ishak schoo
played a pra hed our me l
nk but not h e t- up point.
I would wan im .
t to thank th
e boys.
I could have
the phone re
the priceless placed if it w
family photo as never fou
addresses o s that I stored nd. But I cou
f my contac in my handp ld never rep
been a mise ts. Without th hone and a lace
rable Friday e honesty of yo lso the nam
for me. ur students, es /
today could
THANK YOU, have
from the bo
ttom of my h
eart.
Yours sincere
ly,
Diana

BUKIT BATOK EAST NEWSLETTER INTOUCH 15

 Zone 3 RC & Bukit Batok East CC SCEC
Parents’ Day cum Senior Citizens’
Birthday Celebration Dinner
14 Jun 2009 / 7.30pm to10pm
Venue: Between Blk 273 & 279 Bukit Batok East Avenue 4
Celebrating the senior citizens’ birthday as one big family!
Bukit Batok East SCEC together with Bukit Batok East Zone 3 RC
jointly organised this event to encourage more senior citizens
to participate in community activities to make their lives more
fulfilling.

We hope
you have enjoyed
reading this issue of Intouch
News, a quarterly newsletter published by
Bukit Batok East Constituency Office. Come and test your knowledge with this simple
quiz and win a prize!

1 How many residents participated the

Unity d Strength @ Jurong GRC on
Name:
NRIC:
28 Jun 09?
(a) Over 3000 residents Tel:
(b) 2000 residents Address:
(c) 1000 residents
Ans:

2 What was the special programme in

NDP09 celebration?
Send your completed entries by 1 Nov 2009 to:

Quiz
Intouch News Contest
(a) Annual Observance Ceremony Bukit Batok East Constituency Office
(b) Mini Parade 23 Bukit Batok East Ave 4
(c) Road Show Singapore 659841
Ans:
What is the main objective of floor party? This contest is open to all
3 (a) To let neighbours know one another
residents of Bukit Batok East
Constituency. The judges’
better and build closer friendship decision is final and no
(b) To let neighbours come together to correspondence/enquires will
enjoy food be entertained. Winners will be
(c) To let neighbour come together to notified by post.
play games
Ans:

Editorial Committee:
Adviser Chairman Editor Members Design and Production by
Mdm Halimah Yacob Mr Lee Chuen Fei Mr Lee Chuen Fei Mr William Wee PublishCom (S) Pte Ltd
MP for Jurong GRC and Mr. Koh Si Fook, PBM Tel: 6297 2382
Adviser to Jurong GRC GROs Vice Chairman www.publishcom.com
Dr. Edward Ng
Mr Yeo Hock Seng
Mr. Rahmat Bin A Hamid
Mr. Sivajothee Kumar