Dear residents,

New Year, Good Tidings

We ushered in the new year with many good developments. Chief among the good news is the record rate of economic growth, even while other countries, including economic giants, are collapsing under national debts and low employment rate. The US, for example, has an unemployment rate of about 9%. This means, more than 30 million adult Americans do not have a job.

It’s a different picture in Singapore. We hope that the budget which will be announced soon, will come with a good surplus. If so, some of this will be shared with all Singaporeans in the coming financial year and increase our national treasury at the same time.

Soon to come in Tampines…

Tampines residents have a lot to look forward to as the town is bustling with exciting promises. A new development, known as the Tampines Town Hub, will be built on the existing sports and stadium facilities, to bring together all facilities that residents need ans want, under one roof.

Imagine a place where you can get all the services that you need, including those provided by the HDB, Town Council, National Library and Northeast Community Development Council (CDC), all located in one place.

The People’s Association will also rebuild the sports, swimming and stadium facilities and manage them together with a Community Club that will house exciting facilities such as an arts theatre as well as modern activity rooms, for everyone in the community to use. And there’s more. You also get to enjoy shopping amenities like a supermarket and eateries. The Town Hub will certainly be a great place for families and neighbours to get together.

Greater convenience, more greenery and the great outdoors

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has confirmed three Downtown stations in our town. The National Parks Board (NParks) will soon launch an Ecopark where nature lovers can have a walk or observe nature. The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) will also hand over the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Bike Park to Tampines grassroots organisations, to run sports events.

Besides these exciting developments, we will also continue to upgrade the town with new lifts, linkways and drop-off points, as well as greeneries and parks for children and the elderly.

We are fortunate that we can benefit from these developments because our nation is doing well and the citizens work hard to contribute to the nation’s well-being. Now that we’ve just welcomed the Lunar New Year of the rabbit, my wish for everyone is continued prosperity, good health and happiness in the company of your loved ones.

Masagos Zulkifli BMM

Adviser to Tampines Grassroots Organisations