Dear Residents
As Singapore prepares to mark its 56th birthday, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our residents a Happy National Day. We have come a long way as a nation, yet there is so much more to do.
We are slowly transitioning from Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) with the relaxation of some of the safe management measures. I know many of us are fatigued, but let’s pull through this and strive towards getting ourselves into a much stronger position in anticipation of embracing the new normal of endemic Covid-19. Throughout the past 18 months, we have shown remarkable resilience and compassion towards each other, and we can get through this again.
What is this stronger position that we are aiming for? Recent events have reminded us that we are only as strong as our weakest link, and vaccination is the key to help make us all stronger. Everyone who can receive the vaccine should be vaccinated. This is especially so for our seniors, who are at the highest risk of severe illness if infected. Yet thousands remain unvaccinated. But they can now walk into any vaccination centre anytime to get protected. I hope they will come forward. And we need your help.
Yet another topic of our times is sustainability. In Singapore, we have always pursued sustainable development, and we need to do more urgently. In line with SG Green Plan 2030, 15 PAP town councils have launched a joint initiative called Action for Green Towns (AGT) to boost sustainability practices within their communities. Each will have a sustainability champion among its elected members joining the AGT task force. In Jurong-Clementi Town, my colleague, Mr Shawn Huang, is leading our AGT push. Initiatives including Green Gov and Housing and Development Board (HDB) Green Towns programme are being implemented across different estates.
We are determined to weave more nature and greenery into our estates and communities. To this end, we are partnering with several public agencies such as HDB, National Environment Agency, National Parks Board and Health Promotion Board, among others, to drive green initiatives such as community gardens, exercise parks and playgrounds. You can read more about the latest improvement works going on in our neighbourhoods in this issue.
Action starts with each of us. In this issue, we spotlight two residents who have been exemplary in their action and commitment to the environment.
Let’s stay safe, and work together towards a new normal and a greener future for all of us.
MP Xie Yao Quan
Chairman
Jurong-Clementi Town Council
Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC