YP Activists from our Chong Pang branch organised an internationally- renowned, Southeast Asia’s Biggest Street Dance Battle in January 2012.

To catch some of the pre-grooving action, click on the link below to see some head-turning dance moves and sleek dance action, click on the YouTube video link below.

The Patron for the event was Law Minister, K Shanmugam. View the speech here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQNtQW5m3_0&feature=youtu.be

Click here for dance video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxvxefecxyw&feature=player_embedded

For business owners, the Budget also saw more help given to them. In particular, the measures are expected to significantly aid SMEs in their business models to maximise productivity. To combat the shortage of workers and to restructure the economy, four key measures the government has implemented include:

1)Special Employment Credit
To encourage businesses to employ older Singaporeans

2)Enhance Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) Scheme
To encourage businesses to invest in innovative and productive  ventures

3)Enhance existing schemes
To increase support for existing SMEs, support SME upgrading and productivity

4) One off SME cash grants
Pegged at 5% of a company’s revenue of up to $5000

More information about the Budget can be accessed via this weblink: http://app.singaporebudget.gov.sg/budget_2012/default.aspx

Remembering Dr Toh Chin Chye - 1921 to 2012

Singapore lost one of its founding fathers Dr Toh Chin Chye in February 2012. On the flipside though, Singaporeans now have another opportunity to be familiar with another of our founding fathers just as we had been educated of Dr Goh Keng Swee, Mr S. Rajaratnam , Mr Lim Kim San and Madam Kwa Geok Choo after their passing.

Like many of us who have not personally known Dr Toh, we have all been reading about his humble beginnings, principles in life, admirable personality, the sacrifices he made with the various roles he played and his active contributions as a vocal backbencher, which immensely benefited Singapore.

Tributes for Dr Toh poured in from all walks of life. These tributes are testimony of Dr Toh’s invaluable contribution to Singapore’s strong foundation as a young, dynamic and successful nation. The tributes in particular, have brought many of us down the lanes of Singapore’s history and is an eye-opener on how fortunate we are to be the beneficiaries of Dr Toh’s selfless effort.

As with several of our founding generation, Dr Toh also played pivotal roles in the various ministries and was a pillar of support in many of the crucial political decisions and visions made for Singapore. Not surprisingly, Dr Toh was also the founding chairman of the People’s Action Party and it has been quoted that if the lightning in the PAP symbol represented Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the white background referred to Dr Toh Chin Chye with both founding fathers associated to action and purity respectively.

Dr Toh helped to see the party and Singapore through the political turbulence of the 1950s and 1960s in addition to helping the PAP see through the internal struggles between the pro-communist and non-communist members. Dr Toh’s demise is a loss to PAP.  The baton passed by him and all of PAP’s founding fathers has to be carried forward amidst a different set of challenges, political and economic environment to bring Singapore to a much greater height and a brighter place for our increasing population and global hub status.

While a vast majority of PAP members have not had the opportunity to work with and be guided by Dr Toh, his belief in collective leadership and experience in leading the Party as well as our Nation would be important in shaping our reflection and plans on how we intend to move forward in this fast paced era with a touch of humility and concern for all Singaporeans. As for the younger generation, awareness of our rich past and strong leadership would lead one and all to a better future and unity.

Ushering in the Lunar New Year, the Young PAP (YP) team from Tampines North branch distributed 20 Goody Bags to needy families across Tampines GRC on 14 of January. The initiative was done to bring a festive cheer to the lives of the less fortunate during Chinese New Year. The event was attended by Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC, Mr Baey Yam Keng and showed the initiative of our young activists in action.

An article by a YP Activist

The question is not; “will I?” rather it is “when will I own the roof over my head”?  One of the matters closest to the hearts of Singaporeans in this year is the cost of housing. Certainly, HDB prices are nowhere near what they used to be.

Party Chairman and Minister for National Development stated that the government was now looking to focus its efforts on securing homes for second time buyers for the next year or two. Currently, schemes and grants do exist for the lower income groups to ease the burden of purchasing houses.

One example of which is the HOPE scheme where a grant of $50,000 is provided to a lower income family to purchase a flat.

While there is certainly a need for the government to address this issue, we must never forget that a house is the only asset many common Singaporeans have. We must do our part in ensuring that it remains in our hands and not squandered in a misadventure.