Punggol East Bulletin

September 2013
Dear Residents of Punggol East, Its been over four months since we launched PE Bulletin. Ive been collecting email addresses during my house visits to invite residents to sign up for this initiative. In this issue, I would like to continue to provide friendly reminders on the following three problems. Pets - Over the past few months, the Town Council and I have received an increasing number of feedback about pets that do their businesses in common areas. This causes inconvenience and is also a health and hygiene issue. I would like to remind pet owners that the common areas are for the benefit of everyone. We will strive to maintain the fine balance between the respect we must have for animals and the rightful concerns of residents. Unauthorised contractors - We have received feedback that there are unauthorised contractors seeking to provide essential maintenance and minor renovation works under the pretext that they are authorised by the Town Council. This is especially common in blocks that are undergoing R&R works. The Town Council will normally send a circular to inform residents of impending works. When in doubt, please check with the Town Council (tel no. 6744 1033). Loanshark harassment - We have received reports from residents about occasional loanshark harassment. We have kept the police informed and I would like to request all residents to report anyone behaving suspiciously to the authorities. The Singapore Police Force aims to have CCTV cameras covering key entrances and exits at all 10,000 HDB blocks and multi-storey car parks in Singapore by 2016. Warm Wishes, Lee Li Lian MP for Punggol East

Meet-the-People Session
Blk 135 Rivervale Street Every Monday except public holidays 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Whats Coming Up

Mid-Autumn Celebration Date: 14 September 2013 (Saturday) Time: 8pm Venue: Blk 120D Rivervale Drive Come with a home-made lantern to compete with fellow residents and win prizes! (Continued on page 2)

Town Updates
1. Rainwater ponding along footpath LTA installed gratings along the footpath in front of Blks 185B and 185C, Rivervale Crescent, to alleviate rainwater ponding. LTA will also be upgrading the footpath in front of Blk 103 to alleviate rainwater ponding. 2. Kerb at entrance of multi-storey car park Due to feedback from residents conveyed by Li Lian to HDB, HDBs technical department advised trimming the kerb at the entrance to Blk 119 Rivervale Drive multi-storey car park to enhance the safety of motorists. HDB is arranging for improvement works to carry out the advice.

3. Heavy vehicles along Rivervale Drive Due to feedback from residents conveyed by Li Lian to HDB concerning heavy vehicles traveling along Rivervale Drive to the construction site of Rivervale Delta BTO, HDB reviewed the route and decided to adopt the proposed longer route for heavy vehicles to avoid accidents similar to the tragic accident in Tampines. The concern is with school children from Rivervale Primary School crossing the road. The new route took effect from 1 August 2013. In addition, construction contractors were reminded to comply with traffic rules, especially the speed limit. 4. NEA high rise littering alert Residents living in several blocks have complained about constant high

rise littering. Despite educational efforts from NEA and AHPE Town Council, the problems still persist. Some of these blocks are now under surveillance. Once the culprits are caught, they will be charged and summon according to the law.

punggoleast@wp.sg

Punggol East SMC

Events
Ramadan Distribution of Nasi Briyani
Ramadan is a special month of the year for over one billion Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. For some Muslims, it is also a time for giving and sharing of food for break fast is a common tradition. Punggol East residents, Muslims and Non-Muslims, have been receiving free Briyani from a family during Ramadan for the past 11 years. It is a great initiative. Li Lian was invited to grace the occasion.

Punggol East Bulletin September 2013

Whats Coming Up (contd)

Kids Health Carnival Date: 6 October 2013 (Sunday) Time: 10am Venue: Blk 156B Rivervale Drive Featuring health and nutrition talks, face painting, doodling and games!

Tea with Li Lian Date: 20 October 2013 (Sunday) Time: 4pm Venue: Blk 135 Rivervale Street Deepavali Celebration Date: 23 November 2013 (Saturday) Time: 5pm Venue: Blk 186 Rivervale Crescent

Tea with Li Lian

The second installment was held at Blk 186 Rivervale Crescent on 20 July 2013. The Police set up an educational booth on crime prevention activities, especially loan-sharking activities. We also had with us Agency for Integrated Care representatives, who generated awareness of the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) programme. While the adults had tea with Li Lian, children enjoyed a doodling session with NCMP Mr Yee Jenn Jong.

Punggol East By-election Votes Destruction

Li Lian was on site to witness the destruction of ballot papers for the byelection. Under the Parliamentary Elections Act, ballot papers and other documents used in the election will be sealed and retained in safe custody for 6 months after which they will be destroyed unless otherwise directed by order of the President. This is to ensure secrecy of the votes. Your vote is secret!

punggoleast@wp.sg

Punggol East SMC

Punggol East Bulletin September 2013

Break Fast with Li Lian

The 12th day of Ramadan, on the 21 July, coincides with Racial Harmony Day. On this day, PECC invited residents to join the Iftar (breaking of fast). We were honoured to have MP Faisal Manap to join us for this occasion. Minutes before the Break Fast, Li Lian welcomed the residents in English while Faisal welcomed in Malay.It was an eye-opening experience for Chinese residents who joined us. Selamat Meneruskan Ibadah Puasa!

Hari Raya Food Ration

Sponsors and volunteers came together to spread the festive joy during Ramadan on 21 July afternoon. Volunteers were on site early to pack and help distribute 100 packets of rice and other necessities to lower income families. We would like to thank our sponsors for their generosity and the volunteers for their time. Because of the limited supplies, we were only able to distribute to the first 100 household that came. The response was overwhelming and we regret there were disappointments. We will work even harder the next time.

Muar Eco-Farm Tour

Coffee, coconut, pineapple. These are the farm staples that make for our favourite local snacks. On Sunday, PECC volunteers brought MP Li Lian and over 300 residents to visit farms and shops in the Muar and Batu Pahat area. We saw gula kelapa (coconut sugar) being made, tasted excellent kopi-o and pineapples named Josephine. The kampungs brought back refreshing memories of childhood days for many of the older residents. Younger residents now have kampung experiences to remember. We left at 6ish in the morning and came back at 11ish at night, had many good meals and chats, and brought back lots of goodies. The trip was postponed one month because of the haze, but it was well worth the wait!

punggoleast@wp.sg

Punggol East SMC

Punggol East Bulletin September 2013

Museum Discovery Trip

On a wet Sunday morning, four busloads of residents joined Li Lian and PECC on a museum discovery trip to commemorate National Day. Many families joined the trip. Not all museums were equally loved, but there was something for everyone. Dads proudly liked the Army Museum. Kids were thrilled by the high-tech interactive exhibits at the Singapore Discovery Centre. Mums enjoyed telling Singapore stories to their children at the history and living galleries at the National Museum. Older folks loved the rich local culture presented at the Peranakan Museum. We ended the trip in the late afternoon, returning home to Punggol East with the serenity of having touched and been touched by our nation.

National Day Flag Distribution

National Day morning in Punggol East was like any weekend morning, except for one thing. Rivervale Plaza filled up with a constant flow of families heading out marketing or to get a special breakfast. And we were there with Li Lian to hand out flags and greetings to paint the Plaza red and white. Serious marketing faces lit up with smiles as hands stretched out to take flags. Kids ran up to get flags, not only for themselves, but also for their brothers and sisters. Residents we met on our trips came up to shook our hands and to chat. We thought we were going to bring holiday cheers and do outreach. We were touched instead and went home very happy too.
The Punggol East Constituency Committee (PECC) aims to bring residents together to interact and know one another better through activities and community events.
Published by the PECC Editorial Team Editors: Chang Jun Biao Daniel Goh Sng Poh Liang Reporters: Cho Jing Qin Stacey Koh Muhd Yusuf Osman Tan Lay Boon Joel Yap Photographers: Jacky Koh Nicholas Lee For enquiries and feedback on the bulletin, please email punggoleast@wp.sg punggoleast@wp.sg Punggol East SMC 4