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PAYM Policy Forum @ Jalan Besar GRC: 'Singaporeans vs. PRs: Minding the Gap'

Eating durians, attending community events and becoming a citizen - do these actions necessarily constitute integration?

This question posed by Dr Leong Chan Hoong generated a stir among the audience present at the PAYM Policy Forum @ Jalan Besar GRC, held in Suntec City Convention Centre on the 27th of March 2010. The topic of the policy forum was 'Singaporeans vs. PRs (Permanent Residents): Minding the Gap' and attracted about 100 youths, from students to working adults.

A panel of speakers was invited to speak on the topic, including Mr Heng Chee How, Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office, Dr Umayal Lakshmanan, a PR-turned-Singaporean, and Dr Leong, a research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies. Drawing examples from their everyday lives, the panellists provided the participants with their views on the issue, and commented on recent government policies that sought to widen the Singaporean and PR gap in terms of healthcare, housing and education.

Participants first broke up into 6 small teams to discuss the topic in 3 areas, namely the distinctions that are present in Singapore between citizens and PRs, the role of the PRs and integration of both parties. Youths contributed their opinions and a summary of points was presented during the forum to give the discussion a multi-faceted dimension. Most of them were enthusiastic in their responses, often citing real-life examples to substantiate their points.

The Question-and-Answer session saw participants posing astute questions and examining the topic in depth. Is Singapore doing enough to encourage integration, not just assimilation? Are the distinctions between citizens and PRs too wide? Where is Singapore heading towards on this issue? The forum ended with a consensus that the distinctions are indeed justified and that there is a need for integration between Singaporeans and PRs.

On the whole, the policy forum was a success. The organising team would like to use this opportunity to thank our panellists, Mr Heng, Dr Leong and Ms Lakshmanan and the youths for their active participation and support. We look forward to seeing you at our next policy forum!

Kampong Glam Re-appointment and CNY Celebration on 21 Feb

Hundreds of grassroots leaders turned up on 21 Feb at Kampong Glam CC for the re-appointment and Chinese New Year Celebration. There were plenty of exciting performances and games. This year's event was organised by Kampong Glam Women Executive Committee.
Around 17 Kampong Glam YEC members turned up for the re-appointment and Yusheng session. Everyone had fun and looking forward to a great year ahead!

Spring Cleaning of one room flats and teambuilding on 23 Jan 10

On 22 Jan, 22 young volunteers from Kampong Glam and Telok Ayer Hong Lim Green YECs, in partnership with PeaceConnect came together for a big clean-up of the homes belonging to 11 under privileged households located in Beach Road.

Armed with all manner of cleaning equipment, including mops, brooms, pails and stain-removers, the volunteers waged a 'war' against dust and grime, some of which have been collecting for many years as their aged or less able owners were unable o upkeep their homes. After three hours of thorough dustings, sweeping, mopping, wiping and scrubbing that took place from 9am to 12pm, the volunteers managed to clean-out the dirt and make the homes spick and span.
The YEC members then proceed to Professor Brawn Cafe in Novena for a teambuilding session for the 2 YECs to get to know each other better and to lookout for opportunity to work together in future events. A toal of 24 members turned up and it was indeed a very fruitful and wonderful teambuilding session and we were defintely looking forward to the next joint teambuilding session again.

Kampong Glam Scholarship and Bursary Presentation on 10 Jan 2010

About 800 residents, students and grassroots leaders gathered at the Kampong Glam Community Club to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the many deserving students. At the annual 2010 Kampong Glam Scholarship and Bursary Awards Presentation Ceremony, a total of 346 awards were given out. They were:

1) 99 students received the EDUSAVE Scholarship Award;
2) 146 received the EDUSAVE Merit Bursary Awards;
3) 29 were awarded the Ted De Ponti Primary and Secondary Bursary Award and
4) 72 were Kampong Glam CCC's Book Prize recipients.

Members from Kampong Glam Youth Executive Committee came down to help in manning the registration counters and some of the members were actually the emcee for the ceremony.

Distribution of medical welfare assistance to needy residents in Nov 09

Kampong Glam Youth Club members together with Kampong Glam Grassroots Leaders helped to distribute medical welfare fund to needy residents who need the financial assistance for their medical bills. Goodies bags consisted of essential food items were also distributed to them.

Youth Club members helping to prepack more than 130 goodies bags a few days in advance before the actual distribution.

Kampong Glam YEC was a hugh success with Elvis and Michael Jackson attending on 10 Oct 2009!

Kampong Glam Youth Executive Committee (YEC) had its 18th term Biennial General Meeting (BGM) on 10 Oct (Sat) at Screme Cafe @ SMU, School of Information Systems. The theme was Kampong days in the 70s to 80s. More than 100 people attended the BGM and the Guest of Honour was Ms Denise Phua, MP for Jalan Besar GRC and Adviser to Kampong Glam GROs. There were a total of 29 new members for the new term, however only 20 members managed to turn up due to important work and personal committment. Nevertheless, the new Committee members still managed to put up wonderful performances after the BGM proper by singing the songs " Top of the World" and "Y.E.C Yeah". In addition, 'Elvis Pressly' and 'Michael Jackson' made special guest appearances too and sang " Can't helping Falling in Love" and 'Heal the World" respectively with all the 18th term YEC members!

The audiences cheered and sang the songs togther with the YEC members and it was indeed one of the best BGMs ever seen in Singapore! I believed the 18th term YEC will be able to go on to scale greater heights and achieve greater success than the previous term. Three cheers to Kampong Glam YEC..Hip hip hooray...hip hip hooray...hip hip hooray!

Congratulation to Dex Yuen for winning the Area Z3 Evaluation Contest on 1 Oct 2009

Dex Yuen and Primus Yuen, from Kampong Glam Toastmasters Club, took part in the Area Z3 Evaluation and Humourous Contest respectively on 1 Oct 2009 at Katong CC.

Dex was in his usual best self and became the Champion in the Evaluation Contest and will represent Area Z in the Division Z Evaluation Contest at Fengshan CC from 2pm to 5pm.

Distribution of mooncakes to more than 300 needy people at Peace Connect on 19 Sept 2009

Kampong Glam and Kim Seng YECs collaborated with Raffles Hotel to distribute mooncakes to the needy families in Kim Seng and Kampong Glam Constituencies respectively on 19 Sept 2009 from 1pm to 3pm. The Guest Of Honour was Ms Denise Phua, MP for Jalan Besar GRC and Adviser to Kampong Glam GROs. Raffles Hotel had sponsored 800 mooncakes for this meaningful community event and you could see the happy faces of the residents when they collected the mooncakes. More than 40 volunteers from Raffles hotel and the 2 YECs had turned up to help in the distribution. The residents were all very happy and appreciated by the nice gesture and let's look forward to more of such meaningful community service projects.