Singapore has to respond to a troubled world by working together as one nation: SM Lee
Senior minister Lee Hsien Loong (centre) at Ci Yuan Community Club?s LEGO @ Brick Mural on Sept 14. (Photo credit: ST)
Source: ST
In an uncertain, troubled world, Singapore has to respond by working together as one nation to take on whatever comes, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Sept 14.
Speaking at Ci Yuan Community Club, he said spaces like the facility are a good place to build a strong community. The club is in Ang Mo Kio GRC, where SM Lee is one of the MPs.
Community work and mutual understanding and concern between individuals are examples of working as one people, said SM Lee, citing initiatives like the ComCare support scheme and his GRC’s Bag-to-School programme.
“Whatever we can do to help one another a little bit more, where nobody is alone, where everybody feels together,” he added.
SM Lee was speaking to the 1,600 residents of Ang Mo Kio and Hougang who came for Ci Yuan Day 2025, in celebration of the club’s 10th anniversary.
The Bag-to-School programme was the highlight of the event, where lower-income students in Ang Mo Kio-Hougang ward were provided free school essentials.
The programme was launched in 2018, and served more than 60 students in its run on Sept 14.
As part of the initiative, beneficiaries took part in a mock marketplace where they used play currency to “purchase” school essentials.
The exercise is aimed at teaching the children financial literacy and budgeting with their caregivers.
The children were guided to make their choices by volunteers from Bowen Secondary School and ITE College Central.
SM Lee commended the volunteers, saying that helping out is a way to pay it forward, make a contribution and get to know the community to make a difference.
Ang Mo Kio GRC MPs Darryl David and Jasmin Lau also attended the annual event, alongside Yio Chu Kang MP Yip Hon Weng and Central Singapore District Mayor Denise Phua.
Mr David said: “This year’s Ci Yuan Day reminds us that nation-building is never done alone. It is about coming together – young and old, from every walk of life – to build brick by brick, a Singapore where every voice matters and every contribution counts.”
Residents enjoyed free kaya toast and drinks at the event while watching musical performances on stage.
They also placed Lego bricks to create a mural to envision a future together.
Madam Syamsiah Harun, who has lived in Ang Mo Kio for the past two decades, has fond memories of the community club.
The attached hawker centre is a go-to place for the 65-year-old homemaker’s breakfast sessions and catch-ups between her and her neighbours. “I heard there is a big event today for the anniversary, so I came down as I know most of my neighbours will be here. It is nice to be around everyone,” she said.