GE2025: Ong Ye Kung to lead PAP’s Sembawang GRC team, introduces 2 new faces

Key Concepts:

• Sembawang Development: Future plans for Sembawang's development, focusing on blending historical, green, and modern elements.
• Sembawang for Everyone: The vision of creating an inclusive and special town for all residents.
• Second Chances: Supporting rehabilitation and providing opportunities for individuals who have faced hardship, including ex-offenders.
• Youth and Local Businesses: Championing the well-being of youth through healthy lifestyles and supporting local businesses through reduced bureaucracy and testbeds.
• Community Building: Strengthening community bonds through estate improvements, digital inclusion, and resident engagement.
• Town Council Management: Maintaining and improving the estate through effective town council management and community-driven initiatives.

1. Sembawang's Future Development

• Shipyard Relocation: The Sambawang shipyard will relocate to Tuas, freeing up a large coastal area.
• Master Plan: A fixed master plan exists for the freed-up area, which is adjacent to a park and black-and-white houses.
• Community Engagement: A large-scale engagement exercise will be launched to involve residents in imagining the area's future development.
• RTS Station Area: Another area near the RTS station is also designated for future development.
• Unique Characteristics: Sembawang aims to blend its historical, green, idyllic, and rustic characteristics with modern vibrancy and convenience.
• MP's Role: MPs aim to understand and integrate these attributes into development plans, balancing and synergizing them to preserve the town's unique character.
• Vision: The vision is "a Sembawang for everyone," building on past visions of "Sembawang because this is really a special place" and "make Sembawang special."

2. Championing Second Chances

• Personal Stories: The speaker has heard personal stories from residents and incorporated their suggestions for improving connectivity and accessibility.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Plans include cycling paths, covered laneways, and MPH upgrades. Example: Covered linkway at block 341.
• Parliamentary Focus: The speaker will champion families and second chances in parliament.
• CNB Ambassador: The speaker is a CNB ambassador, a board member of the community rehabilitation center, and a supporter of the Yellow Ribbon Project since 2011.
• Nurturing Support System: Emphasis on a nurturing support system for those needing second chances, including employment, adjustment to life, and family support.
• Company Initiatives: The speaker's company offers care in the rehabilitation process for applicants from the Yellow Ribbon Project, celebrating milestones and achievements.
• WhatsApp Communication: The speaker uses a WhatsApp chat group with the overcomer, case manager, and stakeholders for proactive communication.
• Family Support: Families are seen as the bedrock of society and a strong pillar for overcoming challenges.
• Community Culture: The goal is to nurture a unique culture, strong community spirit, and a strong identity in Sembawang.

3. Focus on Youth and Local Businesses

• Youth Well-being: Every child and youth deserves a healthy mind and body.
• Modern Challenges: Addressing challenges such as excessive screen time, unhealthy food choices, and mental health issues.
• Active Digital Learning: Promoting active digital learning and healthier food choices from a young age.
• Collaboration: Working with the Ministry of Health and the Early Childhood Development Agency to gather feedback and find the best way forward.
• Thriving Businesses: A thriving Singapore is built with thriving businesses.
• Bureaucracy Reduction: Reducing paperwork and rules for small businesses.
• Government Testbeds: Offering more testbeds for businesses to run new ideas, especially in the face of technological disruption.
• Mobile EV Chargers: Example: Mobile or portable electric vehicle chargers to reduce range anxiety and increase EV adoption. Current standards require chargers to be connected to the main grid, slowing deployment.
• SME Employment: SMEs hire 70% of the workforce, so supporting them is crucial for Singaporeans.

4. Community Engagement and Estate Improvements

• Resident Concerns: Addressing residents' concerns, from pigeon issues to last-mile transport.
• Woodlands Programs: Launched several programs in Woodlands, including estate improvements of the week (IOTWs) with 52 improvements per year for the past 5 years.
• Digitally Enabled Plunger Meal: A digitally enabled plunger meal program at Woodlands, feeding many families monthly.
• Youth Adulting Series: A youth adulting series to empower Woodlands residents.
• Volunteer Support: Grateful for the support of volunteers, partners, and residents in making these initiatives happen.
• Global Situation: Contributing skills and experience to navigate the complex global situation.
• Values: Grounded in values of respect, empathy, and compassion.

5. Town Council Management and Community Building

• Town Council Chairman: Served as town council chairman for the last seven years.
• Perfect M&D Score: Sembawang Town Council has maintained a perfect score in the M&D's town council reports.
• Precinct Improvements: Overseeing improvements around the precincts, including playgrounds, bicycle tracks, and sheltered walkways.
• Community Center: The opening of the ACE The Place community center in 2012.
• Resident Networks: Six new resident networks were opened, serving as hubs for activities and volunteerism.
• Exercise Programs: Promoting exercise programs in collaboration with HPB and other community groups.
• Religious Harmony: Strong inter-religious harmony, with major religious groups coming together for activities.

6. Parliamentary Contributions

• Committee Roles: Chairman of the committee for foreign affairs and defense and member of the committee for home affairs and law.
• Policy Advocacy: Spoken up on issues including preschool, employees, and retirement.
• Policy Impact: Believes that his voice, along with others, has helped to move government policy along in many of these fronts.

7. Notable Quotes

• "A Sembawang for everyone" - The overarching vision for the town.
• "Give me a place to stand and a lever long enough and I will move the world" - Quoted from the founder of Boston Consulting Group, emphasizing the power of leverage and belief in oneself.

8. Technical Terms and Concepts

• RTS Station: Refers to the Rapid Transit System station, a key transportation hub.
• MPH: Multi-Purpose Hall, a common community space.
• CNB: Central Narcotics Bureau.
• IOTWs: Estate Improvements of the Week.
• M&D's: Refers to the Town Council Management Report (TCMR) assessment framework, which evaluates the performance of Town Councils in areas such as estate maintenance and financial management.
• HPB: Health Promotion Board.
• SMEs: Small and Medium Enterprises.

9. Synthesis/Conclusion

The speakers outline a comprehensive vision for Sembawang's future, emphasizing community engagement, inclusivity, and support for both youth and local businesses. Key initiatives include developing the freed-up shipyard area, providing second chances for those in need, and fostering a strong community spirit. The speakers highlight their experience and commitment to serving the residents of Sembawang and contributing to Singapore's progress. The focus is on balancing development with preserving the town's unique character and ensuring that Sembawang is a place where everyone can thrive.