DPM Teo joins break fast event in Kaki Bukit

DPM Teo joins break fast event in Kaki Bukit

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean joined 3,000 residents in Kaki Bukit Neighbourhood Park in a breaking-of-fast event yesterday evening - a visit that People's Action Party (PAP) Kaki Bukit branch chairman Kahar Hassan said showed that "Aljunied residents still matter" to the ruling party.

The event was in the Kaki Bukit division of the Workers' Party-run Aljunied GRC. Mr Teo arrived about an hour before it was time for Muslims residents - who were joined by other residents - to break the fast.

As he mingled with residents, many came forward to have their pictures taken with the Deputy Prime Minister. He also distributed essential food items such as rice and oil to 50 households.

In his remarks, Mr Teo said Singapore was a place where different communities could practise their religions and follow their customs in comfort, and that such harmony should be valued and protected.

Joining Mr Kahar and Mr Teo were Mr Chua Eng Leong, PAP branch chairman in Eunos - also a division of Aljunied GRC - and Mr Lee Hong Chuang, PAP branch chairman in Hougang, which is also held by the WP.

The WP won Aljunied GRC at the 2011 General Election and has held Hougang since 1991.

The breaking-of-fast event yesterday was organised by the Kaki Bukit Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle and the Indian Muslim Social Service Association.

Said Mr Kahar: "Residents were excited that a minister was here to break fast with them. But his visit also signifies that no matter what happened in 2011, the PAP is still here to serve them."

Aljunied residents have also been receiving fliers from the PAP. These feature a photo of the branch chairmen for the five Aljunied GRC divisions. Mr Victor Lye (Bedok Reservoir-Punggol), Mr K. Muralidharan Pillai (Paya Lebar) and Ms Chan Hui Yuh (Serangoon) are pictured with Mr Kahar and Mr Chua.

Mr Kahar said: "The purpose of the flier is to show residents that the PAP branches have not been left vacant. When we visit residents, they sometimes remark: 'Oh the PAP is still here.' But in reality, we've never left."

Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin visited the Serangoon division in April and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong is scheduled to attend a Kaki Bukit Hari Raya celebration next month.

This article was first published on June 22, 2015.
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