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Be 'kaypoh', help catch people before they fall: Tan Chuan-Jin
Reach out to neighbours, friends, Acting Manpower Minister urges S'poreans
Updated 12:54 AM Aug 12, 2012
Even as the Government steps up to strengthen social safety nets, Singaporeans also have their part to do on the ground to reach out to those around them, says Acting Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin.
"I believe it is not just about catching people when they fall. I believe that we can catch them before they do," said Mr Tan at the Kembangan-Chai Chee National Day Dinner on Saturday night.
Mr Tan, who is also Senior Minister of State (National Development), cited his own personal experience earlier in the afternoon, when he picked up his daughter from a community centre. She expressed concern about an old woman who had, on several occasions, asked to borrow her handphone as well as for money. "My daughter thought I should do something," said Mr Tan.
He related how they accompanied the old woman, Madam Lee, back with her to the four-room flat in which she lived with her two sons, and spoke to her as as neighbours about her apparent situation. "I have informed her MP and he is following up," added Mr Tan.
He also cited another young resident, a boy with a tumour, who had died recently. "Could we have picked it up earlier?" asked Mr Tan, noting that many residents come to him for help when things have gotten quite desperate. He added: "I would like to go upstream and do more to better understand the needs of those who need help."
In this, residents' tip-offs would be useful. "We sometimes pass by this uncle or that auntie who seem to have problems. But we do not speak to them. I ask all of us to be that much more kaypoh and chat with them"
Imploring residents to reach out to neighbours and friends, he said: "Things are different when we begin to know each other. We also become more tolerant. Suddenly the dripping laundry from above seems more tolerable when you know the friend upstairs."
He added: "Singaporeans are a good people. We are kind, compassionate and generous. There are those who like to paint a negative picture and drag us all down. I say that I (would) rather we step forward and do something and to build a society that we can be proud of."
Reach out to neighbours, friends, Acting Manpower Minister urges S'poreans
Updated 12:54 AM Aug 12, 2012
Even as the Government steps up to strengthen social safety nets, Singaporeans also have their part to do on the ground to reach out to those around them, says Acting Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin.
"I believe it is not just about catching people when they fall. I believe that we can catch them before they do," said Mr Tan at the Kembangan-Chai Chee National Day Dinner on Saturday night.
Mr Tan, who is also Senior Minister of State (National Development), cited his own personal experience earlier in the afternoon, when he picked up his daughter from a community centre. She expressed concern about an old woman who had, on several occasions, asked to borrow her handphone as well as for money. "My daughter thought I should do something," said Mr Tan.
He related how they accompanied the old woman, Madam Lee, back with her to the four-room flat in which she lived with her two sons, and spoke to her as as neighbours about her apparent situation. "I have informed her MP and he is following up," added Mr Tan.
He also cited another young resident, a boy with a tumour, who had died recently. "Could we have picked it up earlier?" asked Mr Tan, noting that many residents come to him for help when things have gotten quite desperate. He added: "I would like to go upstream and do more to better understand the needs of those who need help."
In this, residents' tip-offs would be useful. "We sometimes pass by this uncle or that auntie who seem to have problems. But we do not speak to them. I ask all of us to be that much more kaypoh and chat with them"
Imploring residents to reach out to neighbours and friends, he said: "Things are different when we begin to know each other. We also become more tolerant. Suddenly the dripping laundry from above seems more tolerable when you know the friend upstairs."
He added: "Singaporeans are a good people. We are kind, compassionate and generous. There are those who like to paint a negative picture and drag us all down. I say that I (would) rather we step forward and do something and to build a society that we can be proud of."
