\n<\/p>\n
Most 17-year-olds are busy with school, hanging out with friends or living their lives on social media.<\/p>\n
Jovan Tang? He’s out doing walkabouts, chatting with residents and trying to solve estate problems.<\/p>\n
The teen, who has been likened to a ‘mini MP<\/a>‘, has made it his mission to improve the lives of residents in Boon Keng, where he has lived all his life.<\/p>\n And he certainly looks the part.<\/p>\n Not only does he dress like an MP, his Instagram<\/a> also resembles one\u2019s, with posts announcing estate improvements, snaps of him posing outside Parliament House and engaging residents, and even posters inviting people to meet-and-greet sessions.<\/p>\n In an episode of Gen Z Crash Course<\/em><\/a>, YES 933 DJ Gao Mei Gui<\/a> followed community advocate Jovan around his neighbourhood to find out what exactly he does.<\/p>\n Turns out, quite a bit.<\/p>\n Jovan showed Mei Gui several estate issues residents had raised with him, including uneven walkways that had reportedly caused elderly residents to fall.<\/p>\n He said he had contacted the Town Council about the problems, some of which had been addressed.<\/p>\n One of his success stories? Getting speed bumps installed near Boon Keng MRT station after residents complained about speeding vehicles posing a danger to children and the elderly.<\/p>\n Jovan even visited newly built BTO blocks before residents moved in, just to familiarise himself with the surroundings so he can better engage them in future.<\/p>\n Talk about doing your homework.<\/p>\n Jovan has been documenting his community work on Instagram, with one video about the speed bumps garnering more than 260K views.<\/p>\n To see if he was as recognisable offline, Mei Gui showed his photo to people around the neighbourhood.<\/p>\n While some had no idea who he was, others recognised him from social media, with one teen describing his posts as \u201cvery wholesome\u201d.<\/p>\n Jovan’s childhood friend of 16 years also revealed that he had always been passionate about helping others.<\/p>\n \u201cSo when I saw him actually online serving, I just thought to myself, yes, that’s the Jovan I know,\u201d Jovan’s friend shared.<\/p>\n Despite receiving plenty of encouragement, Jovan has also faced online ridicule, with some netizens mocking him for \u201ccosplaying\u201d as an MP.<\/p>\n He admitted the comments affected him and initially tried defending himself online. But he eventually realised there was little point.<\/p>\n \u201cRegardless [of] how many times you clarify, those who don’t believe will still not believe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Some residents have also questioned whether someone so young had the right to get involved in community matters.<\/p>\n \u201cSome residents say, ‘This kind of thing, you cannot do one, you don’t have rights’,\u201d he recalled.<\/p>\n Still, the criticism hadn’t stopped him.<\/p>\n When asked what kept him going, he said: \u201cBelieve in myself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs long as all the things I do are on the right track\u2026 I believe there is a path for me to go on [this] community journey to help and support residents,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n After all, he couldn’t just offer to help residents and then \u201chalfway run away\u201d.<\/p>\n And his efforts weren’t limited to Boon Keng. He has also helped out in other communities, including Toa Payoh, Tampines and Lakeside.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n