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Moulmein-Cairnhill Hosts Heng’s First Ministerial Community Visit In Finance Portfolio
Minister for Finance Mr Heng Swee Keat and Mr Melvin Yong, Adviser to Tanjong Pagar GRC Grassroots Organisations, are see relaunching the Meal Voucher Scheme for the needy residents at one of Pek Kio Market stalls - Cambridge Road Hong Kong Roasted Pork. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY
October 30th, 2017 | 12:13 PM | 1609 views
SINGAPORE
Making his first Ministerial Community Visit since he became Finance Minister in October 2015, Mr Heng Swee Keat spent nearly five hours interacting with, then engaging in a dialogue with residents of Moulmein-Cairnhill ward on Sunday (Oct 29).
He showed no signs of fatigue after greeting dozens while pounding the streets, in what was among his first lengthy public engagement nearly one-and-a-half years after suffering a stroke last May.
The day started at about 9am, with Mr Heng making the rounds and chatting with stallholders and patrons having an early breakfast at the Pek Kio Market, as well as at nearby shops.
Hosted by the area’s Member of Parliament Melvin Yong, Mr Heng also made a stop at the Sian Chay Medical Institution, where the Screen for Life intiative was unveiled. This new scheme gives residents free health screenings, through the Moulmein-Cairnhill Wellness Fund.
Mr Heng also mingled with residents amidst beautiful foliage, papaya trees, and herbs grown in hanging pots, in a large, award-winning community garden grown and maintained by residents in the Goldhill Gardens area. There, he planted a tree in the garden.
He was also treated to homemade snacks and tea, brewed using blue pea flowers grown by the residents. At a farmers’ market set up in the same area, he toured stalls selling artisanal coffee and drinks, snacks and satay.
He quipped to reporters that he will be back to patronise the Pek Kio market, saying: “There is a very active community here, with many residents volunteering and organising a whole range of activities. This is the kind of spirit we must promote in Singapore ... building this sense of community will become even more important in the coming years as our population ages.”
Mr Heng suffered a stroke on May 12 last year, during a Cabinet meeting. He recovered promptly, however, and was communicative and lucid by the end of May, though doctors advised him not to receive visitors so quickly.
Just three months later, in August, he progressively returned to work, looking after the Commitee for Future Economy, as well as drawing up the Budget.
On Sunday, Mr Heng also launched a mobile application called Mo-Ca Cares, which connects Moulmein-Cairnhill residents who need help, with those who can offer it.
This includes tuition, haircuts, or even befriending the elderly, as well as local job opportunities available through five partners: The Orchard Road Business Association, Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association, Pek Kio Market Association, Newton Hawker Centre Stallholders Association, and KK Market Dealers’ Friendly Association.
Source:
courtesy of TODAY
by TAN WEIZHEN
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