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Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025: Shaping of policies does not have to be adversarial, says PAP's Henry Kwek
Mr Henry Kwek, the PAP candidate for Kebun Baru SMC, speaking to the media during a walkabout at Mayflower Market and Food Centre on April 25. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY GE2025: Shaping of policies does not have to be adversarial, says PAP's Henry Kwek Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE – Shaping of policies for Singapore does not need to be adversarial as this can be done by communities working together to help one another, Mr Henry Kwek, the PAP candidate for Kebun Baru SMC, said on April 25. Mr Kwek was responding to a question about comments made by his opponent, PSP candidate Tony Tan, at a rally on April 24 that more opposition voices are needed in Parliament. Speaking to the media at the launch of PAP's Kebun Baru manifesto, 'Always On Your Side', at the party's branch office in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, he said: 'I don't think that shaping policies should be adversarial. I feel that there is tremendous value in getting our community to come together to help one another. 'We will use many means of advocating for our people, be it parliamentary questions, speeches in Parliament, participating actively in debates, having motions, doing focus groups, putting up papers, using our direct line to persuade the front bench to see and respond to the change that we see needed on the ground.' Noting that he has been 'doing this for 10 years', Mr Kwek also pointed out how policies in Kebun Baru have evolved to better support seniors, young families and the wider community, with more expected in the next few years. Since 2015, social support in Kebun Baru has been strengthened by initiatives such as the Hope Collective, which helps needy and vulnerable residents, he added. The programmes include befriending socially isolated seniors, mentoring needy young families, and talent development for children from lower-income families. On infrastructure upgrades in the community, Mr Kwek said Kebun Baru has seen a makeover under the Remaking Our Heartland initiative. The Mayflower hawker centre and nearby parks have been upgraded, and new wayfinding features are being integrated with MRT exits to provide a clearer route for the elderly. Residents can also expect more enhancements in the public and private estates, he said. The Ang Mo Kio swimming complex is being rebuilt into a new ActiveSG hub, while Lentor Hills will welcome Lentor Modern, a mixed-use development with 96,000 sq ft of commercial space that includes a supermarket and about 50 shops. Private estates such as Teachers' Estate will be the first to benefit from the Estate Upgrading Programme, a new upgrading scheme tailored for seniors in older neighbourhoods. The upgrades include more senior-friendly amenities, as well as more footpaths, improved drainage and green spaces. A new ServiceSG office will open in AMK Hub by end-2026 to offer seniors in-person help to access government services, Mr Kwek added. Residents cheering for SM Lee Hsien Loong (centre) and Mr Henry Kwek (right), the PAP candidate for Kebun Baru SMC, during a walkabout at Mayflower Market and Food Centre on April 25. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Transport connectivity is also set to improve with upcoming projects like the MRT's Cross Island Line, and the North-South Corridor, freeing up the roads for buses, cycling paths and landscaped public spaces. Mr Kwek said more attention must also be given to the 'sandwich generation', who juggle work, caregiving and financial responsibilities. 'Some of them have health issues, some of them may have business challenges, and they need a bit of extra help. That is why we should do more for our sandwich class,' he said. 'That is a clear need that is evolving, and we will respond to that need like we always have been.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Shaping of policies does not have to be adversarial, says PAP's Henry Kwek
Mr Henry Kwek, the PAP candidate for Kebun Baru SMC, speaking to the media during a walkabout at Mayflower Market & Food Centre on April 25, 2025. The Straits Times Shaping of policies does not have to be adversarial, says PAP's Henry Kwek SINGAPORE - Shaping of policies for Singapore does not need to be adversarial as this can be done by communities working together to help one another, said Mr Henry Kwek, the PAP candidate for Kebun Baru, on April 25. Mr Kwek was responding to a question about comments made by his opponent, Progress Singapore Party (PSP) candidate Tony Tan, at a rally on Apr 24 that more opposition voices are needed in Parliament. Speaking to media at the launch of Kebun Baru's manifesto, Always on your side, at the PAP branch office at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, he said: 'I don't think that shaping policies should be adversarial, I feel that there's tremendous value in getting our community to come together to help one another. 'We will use many means of advocating for our people, be it parliamentary questions, speeches in Parliament, participating actively in debates, having motions, doing focus groups, putting up papers, using our direct line to persuade the front bench to see and respond to the change that we see needed on the ground.' Noting that he has been 'doing this for 10 years', Mr Kwek also pointed out how policies in Kebun Baru have evolved to better support seniors, young families and the wider community, with more expected in the next few years. Since 2015, social support in Kebun Baru has been strengthened through initiatives such as the Hope Collective, which is aimed at providing help to needy and vulnerable residents, he added. The programmes are aimed at befriending socially isolated seniors, mentoring for needy young families and talent development for children from lower income families. On infrastructure upgrades in the community, Mr Kwek added that Kebun Baru has seen a makeover under the Remaking Our Heartland initiative. The Mayflower hawker centre and nearby parks have been upgraded, and new wayfinding features are being integrated with MRT exits to provide a clearer route for the elderly. Residents in Kebun Baru can also expect more enhancements in the public and private estates, he said. The Ang Mo Kio swimming complex is being rebuilt into a new ActiveSG hub, while Lentor Hills will welcome Lentor Modern, a mixed-use development with 96,000 square feet of commercial space which includes a supermarket and about 50 shops. Private estates like Teachers' Estate will be the first to benefit from the Estate Upgrading Programme, which is a new upgrading scheme tailored for seniors in older neighbourhoods. The upgrades include more senior friendly amenities, as well as more footpaths, improved drainage and green spaces. A new ServiceSG office will also open in AMK Hub by end-2026 to offer seniors in-person help to access government services, he added. Transport connectivity is also set to improve with upcoming projects like the Cross Island Line and the North-South Corridor, freeing up the roads for buses, cycling paths and landscaped public spaces. Mr Kwek also noted that more attention must also be given to the 'sandwich generation' who are juggling work, caregiving and financial responsibilities. 'Some of them have health issues, some of them may have business challenges, and they need a bit of extra help. That's why we should do more for our sandwich class,' he said. 'That is a clear need that is evolving, and we will respond to that need like we always have been.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
25-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
GE2025: PAP MPs have 'direct line' to ministers, which helps shape policy effectively, says Henry Kwek
Singapore Mr Henry Kwek, the People's Action Party's candidate for Kebun Baru SMC, added that while the MPs may sometimes agree to disagree with the government on certain ideas, they will continue to advocate for those ideas over time. 25 Apr 2025 07:34PM (Updated: 25 Apr 2025 07:37PM) SINGAPORE: People's Action Party (PAP) Members of Parliament have the ability to tap a "direct line" to persuade the front bench when it comes to any issues on the ground, said the party's candidate for Kebun Baru SMC, Henry Kwek, on Friday (Apr 25). Mr Kwek, the single-seat ward's incumbent MP, said this was among several ways that backbench MPs can advocate for people. Others include filing parliamentary questions, organising focus groups and listening to feedback. The goal of such efforts is to surface ground issues and find common ground with the government, he said. "And sometimes, the government is able to implement some of the ideas. Sometimes, we may agree to disagree, but we continue advocating for those ideas over time." Mr Kwek was speaking at the launch of the PAP's manifesto for Kebun Baru, titled Our Kebun Baru, which outlines several key visions for the estate. The party's aims in the constituency include making it family-friendly for both young and old, and enhancing its transportation networks. It also wants to foster a caring community there with healthy longevity. Ongoing plans to revitalise the estate include further improvements to the recently upgraded Mayflower Market and Food Centre, along with upcoming upgrades to the Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex. Earlier in the day, Mr Kwek participated in a walkabout with Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Mayflower Market and Food Centre, where they met with residents and listened to their views and concerns. In this election, Mr Kwek is facing a straight fight with Mr Tony Tan from the Progress Singapore Party (PSP). Both their candidacies were confirmed on Nomination Day. The constituency has a voter count of 22,223, following a minor boundary adjustment, with one polling district shifting over from Yio Chu Kang SMC. The PAP's candidate for Kebun Baru SMC, Henry Kwek, holds up the party's manifesto for Kebun Baru at the PAP branch office at Block 109 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 on Apr 25, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Tan Wen Lin) Highlighting the work he has been doing in parliament and in policymaking, Mr Kwek said his role as vice-chairperson of the PAP Seniors Group has given him a role in shaping policies for seniors in the last few years. The group is an interest group that addresses issues affecting the elderly, such as quality of life, care and security. "I personally orchestrated two major parliamentary debates through private members' motions. What that means is curating a group of MPs to come together for a robust debate on every dimension of senior policy," he said. The private members' motions he was referring to focused on helping the elderly age with dignity and purpose. He gave some examples of the work he has done with the elderly, such as helping to establish an assisted living facility for seniors at Block 115 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, engaging regularly with around 500 seniors and providing targeted financial support based on individual needs. Mr Kwek said his focus for this election, during these nine days of campaigning, was shaped by the fact that people are thinking about the future. "We want to present our plans, but also listen. Listen deeply to our people's dreams, concerns, aspirations and hopes, and then carry their voices forward," he said, adding that he and his team of volunteers have been carrying notebooks around to jot down ideas and feedback. "By the end of this campaign, because it is a listening journey, we will compile all that we've heard. And we will make sure to reflect on it, shaping policies and Singapore based on the diverse voices of our people." Mr Kwek said this in response to several questions about his opponent, Mr Tan, who, in his speech on Nomination Day, raised what he perceived as gaps in caring for an ageing population, among other issues. "If things go well and I have the chance to continue serving as an MP for Kebun Baru, my role is not just to speak in abstract terms, but to be physically present and to assemble a team to help our people." he said. "And in the journey of helping them, understand where the gaps are, whether it's in policy, coordination or evolving needs, so we can be the first to raise these issues with the government." You can watch livestreams of all rallies on CNA's GE2025 site, CNA's YouTube channel and on mewatch. GE2025 Kebun Baru SMC People's Action Party
