People\u2019s Association (PA) initiative,<\/span><\/a> which aims to keep seniors active, socially connected and meaningfully engaged in their communities, will now be expanded to more constituencies, said Law Minister Edwin Tong at the official opening of the new Mountbatten Community Club (CC) on April 4.<\/p>\n\u201cAt a broader level, we are very keen to continue to engage our seniors, as well as our young seniors… to ensure that we encourage our seniors to stay healthy, socially connected and mentally active,\u201d said Mr Tong, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs and PA deputy chairman.<\/p>\n
Seniors, aged 50 and above, can continue to serve the community in many ways, he added. \u201cIf you engage them, you give them a sense of purpose and give them a cause, they will do a great job for us.\u201d <\/p>\n
The 10 constituencies in the Neighbourhood Kakis pilot are Bedok, Boon Lay, Joo Chiat, Kembangan, Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng, Marine Parade, Sembawang Central, Tampines Changkat, Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru and Toa Payoh Central.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd progressively, we will be rolling this out to 30 other constituencies, including those that we\u2019ve done pilots with,\u201d said Mr Tong. \u201cBy the end of 2026, all of Singapore\u2019s (97) constituencies will be on board, and we will all be able to use Neighbourhood Kakis.\u201d <\/p>\n
In addition, the PA Community App will go \u201clive\u201d by April 15 for residents and seniors to use their mobile devices find out happenings in their communities and stay connected with their neighbours.<\/p>\n
Users can check the app for senior-centric activities and Neighbourhood Kakis tasks that they can perform. <\/p>\n
At the launch of the Mountbatten CC on April 4, some 1,500 guests were treated to performances and food and given a tour of the centre\u2019s facilities, among them a gym for seniors. There were also games such as floorball for the guests to try.<\/p>\n
Mountbatten MP Gho Sze Kee, who is an adviser to Mountbatten Grassroots Organisations, said in a speech that \u201cseniors are at the very heart of this vision\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst, we want them to stay active and healthy,\u201d said Ms Gho. \u201cThrough programmes like Gym Tonic, we support them in building strength, confidence and independence because aging well is not just about living longer. It is about living well.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his National Day Rally speech in 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had said that Singapore is close to becoming a \u201csuper-aged\u201d country, when more than 21 per cent of the population is aged 65 and above. <\/p>\n
Noting this, Mr Tong said, a shift is needed in the way seniors are seen and, more importantly, how they see themselves. <\/p>\n
They are not just residents receiving support and services but also active contributors to the community, he added.<\/p>\n
Among the Neighbourhood Kakis are retirees Ng Poh Choo, 65, and Mohd Saad Ahmad, 75.<\/p>\n
Madam Ng, a resident of Boon Lay Zone D, joined the initiative in September 2024 because she wanted to make more friends.<\/p>\n\n\nMadam Ng, a resident of Boon Lay Zone D, joined the initiative in September 2024 because she wanted to make more friends.<\/p>\n
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Admitting that she had led a solitary life after retiring from her accounting job, she added: \u201cAll the volunteers of Neighbourhood Kakis and the residents are now my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today, she is often acknowledged by residents in the estate whenever she goes to the market or eats at the hawker centre.<\/p>\n
As a Neighbourhood Kaki, she packs and distributes food at the Residents\u2019 Network. She also registers residents who are applying for the free food and groceries, and accompanies others on excursions to the zoo or the movies.<\/p>\n
By Feb 28, she had completed 157 tasks and lost 5kg. The token payment she earns goes into a pool to pay for food and drinks for the Kakis while they do their weekly tasks.<\/p>\n
Mr Saad, who lives in Toa Payoh Central, joined the initiative in March 2025, and he does his rounds in the estate with his wife.<\/p>\n
The former cleaner has completed a record of 796 tasks as at Feb 28. He primarily checks on frail seniors, ensuring their safety, and helps to tidy up the Residents\u2019 Committee (RC) premises. He also packs participants\u2019 goodie bags for various community events. <\/p>\n\n\nMr Mohd Saad Ahmad, who lives in Toa Payoh Central, joined the initiative in March 2025.<\/p>\n
PHOTO: COURTESY OF PEOPLE\u2019S ASSOCIATION<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Mr Saad said in Malay: \u201cI want to be useful and also promote the community spirit among residents of all races. I\u2019m still strong and I don\u2019t mind the exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a result of his mingling with other residents, he has picked up Mandarin, Hokkien and Teochew.<\/p>\n
\u201cI use simple phrases like \u2018Ni hao ma?\u2019 (\u2018How are you\u2019 in Mandarin) or \u2018Jiak ba buay?\u2019 (\u2018Have you eaten?\u2019 in Hokkien) to start conversations,\u201d added Mr Saad.<\/p>\n
On his visits, he sometimes learn of seniors who need items in their toilets or kitchens repaired and he would inform the RC manager of these. <\/p>\n
\u201cSome lonely seniors just need someone to talk to,\u201d said Mr Saad. \u201cI\u2019m happy to be their listening ear.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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