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PM Lee to open more gyms for elderly but must pay $1.50 per entry

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6 years ago

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At a community event on Saturday (8 Sep), PM Lee told his residents that more gyms will be open to cater to the elderly and disabled in Singapore.

They will be built in mature Housing Board estates. The first such gym is expected to open in his GRC at the Ang Mo Kio Community Centre next year. The number of community centres with senior-friendly gyms is expected to increase to five by the end of next year.

PM Lee said that the Ang Mo Kio estate has more senior citizens than most other towns in Singapore. In the last GE, out of 176,713 residents in Ang Mo Kio GRC who voted, 135,115 or 78.6% voted overwhelmingly for PM Lee and his party, the PAP. This was an upswing of 9.3% from the 2011 GE.

Other than having gym facilities, the community centres which come under the People’s Association (PA), also encourage senior citizens to take part in activities such as aerobics, taiji and dance.

The gym equipment will also have mechanism to track users’ exercise data. Senior citizens will receive membership cards that they will scan on the exercise equipment before using it. This will let the machines capture the users’ exercise data. In other words, from the data, an individual’s health situation can be monitored. It is not conceivable that demographic predictions can be obtained from such data.

However, the use of community gyms is not free. Those under 55 will be charged $2.50 per entry while elderly above 55 will pay $1.50. They will get free entry on Wednesdays.

ST reported that Ang Mo Kio residents were very enthusiastic about the gym facility coming to their community centre. Alicia Tan, 44, a resident of Ang Mo Kio said she will encourage her mother-in-law, 70, to visit the new senior-friendly gym when it opens next year.

“Hopefully, there will be fitness instructors to get the elderly folk started on the exercises,” said the accounts assistant.

Elders see PA as part of PAP

The late Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew once talked about the “close” relationship between PA and the People’s Action Party (PAP).

In 2009, then Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew at a public dialogue proudly told the audience that the Chinese had been sending teams of PRC officials to study Singapore for many years. To illustrate a lesson the Chinese learnt about Singapore’s political system, he said:

“They (delegates from China) discover that the People’s Action Party (PAP) has only a small office in Bedok. But everywhere they go, they see the PAP – in the RCs (residents’ committees), CCCs (citizens’ consultative committees), and the CCs (community clubs).” – Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, The Straits Times 30 December 2009.

And of course, RCs, CCCs and CCs are grassroots organizations (GROs) which come under PA.

When TOC went for a survey at Mountbatten SMC after the General Election 2015 to find out what did voters think about their candidates, elders (above 50s) told TOC that they had a strong impression of the PAP MP, Lim Biow Chuan and thought nothing of the opposition candidate, Jeannette Chong Auldross because they did not recall seeing her at all.

Some shared that they saw Lim at the PA events and some shared that they were introduced to the MP by the PA Chairman at their doorstep, which is why they had a strong impression of Lim being active at the constituency.

It is likely what transpired in Mountbatten SMC is similar to the other constituency in Singapore.

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WMP raises over S$1,600 in a day to help struggling family clear outstanding water bill

Workers Make Possible (WMP) raised over S$1,600 in a single day to assist a struggling family living in a rental flat. The family’s water supply was reduced due to an outstanding S$900 bill. The mother has been severely ill for months, unable to work, leaving her husband, who earns less than S$2,000 per month after CPF deductions, as the sole breadwinner.

Published

15 hours ago

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3 October 2024

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SINGAPORE: A struggling family living in a rental flat had their water supply reduced on 1 October, as revealed in an Instagram post by the workers’ rights advocacy group, Workers Make Possible (WMP).

In an effort to ease the family’s burden, a fundraiser was launched. By the evening of 1 October, S$1,620 had been raised.

Of this amount, S$1,200 was transferred to the family to fully clear their outstanding water bill and address other urgent expenses.

The family, which had been accumulating water bill arrears for several months, was informed by SP Group that their water supply would only be fully restored if they paid S$450 upfront—half of their total outstanding bill of S$900.

According to WMP, the mother of the family has been severely ill for months, leading to her inability to work.

As a result, her husband, who earns less than S$2,000 per month after CPF deductions, is the sole breadwinner for the family, which includes young children.

With the rising cost of living in Singapore, the family has struggled to manage household expenses, leading to unpaid bills, WMP shared in the post.

After contacting SP Group, the mother was told the water supply would resume if half of the arrears were paid. However, she could not afford the required S$450.

This situation occurs amid rising water prices in Singapore.

The government raised the price of water by 20 cents per cubic metre this year, with an additional increase of 30 cents planned for next year.

WMP argued that despite government subsidies, many low-income families continue to struggle to cover their basic utility bills.

“Subsidies offered by the government don’t come anywhere close to alleviating the struggles of poor families in paying these bills. PUB earned about $286 million in 2021,” WMP challenged.

To support the family, Workers Make Possible organised a fundraiser via PayNow. In a 5:30 pm update on 1 October, WMP announced that S$1,620 had been raised.

Of this amount, S$1,200 was sent to the family to clear their water bill, while the remaining S$420 will be used to assist a young warehouse worker struggling with illness and rent payments, WMP clarified.

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Community

Fire breaks out at HDB Hub in Toa Payoh

A fire broke out today (2 October) around noon in the Basement 3 bin centre of HDB Hub at Toa Payoh Lorong 6. The Singapore Civil Defence Force quickly extinguished the fire and is conducting investigations. The building has resumed full operations, but the public is advised to avoid the loading and unloading bay in Basement 3.

Published

1 day ago

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2 October 2024

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A fire broke out today (2 Ocrober), at approximately noon at HDB Hub, located at Toa Payoh Lorong 6.

According to a Facebook post on the official page of the Housing and Development Board (HDB), the fire originated in the Basement 3 bin centre of HDB Hub.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was promptly activated and has since extinguished the fire.

Investigations into the cause are currently underway, with SCDF remaining on-site.

In light of the disruption caused by the incident, HDB has informed customers that they may experience longer wait times for appointments.

“Our foremost consideration is the safety of our staff, customers, and members of the public at HDB Hub,” stated HDB, “We thank the public for their patience.”

Reports indicate that three fire engines, a rescue vehicle, and two ambulances were deployed to the scene, with at least 10 firemen present to manage the situation.

An announcement made at approximately 2.05 pm confirmed that the building has resumed full operations; however, the public is advised to avoid the loading and unloading bay in Basement 3.

HDB Hub, the headquarters of the housing board, is situated adjacent to Toa Payoh MRT station and features retail spaces alongside an indoor plaza and a 33-storey office tower.

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