Hougang temple to house first community law centre under Pro Bono SG; aims to serve needy residents beyond providing legal help

SINGAPORE — Legal aid is coming closer to people in the heartlands with Pro Bono SG, a charity that provides legal advice and representation for the underprivileged, setting up its first community law centre.

Set to launch at the end of this month, the Community Law Centre will be located on the grounds of a Chinese temple — the Tian De temple along Hougang Avenue 5.

Speaking to TODAY on Friday (Jan 13), Mr Gregory Vijayendran, the chairman of Pro Bono SG, said that the centre aims to make it easier for those with mobility or technological challenges to seek legal assistance.

Pro Bono SG, which is under the Law Society of Singapore, will work closely with community associations to identify and help underprivileged people who need legal help, he said.

The Hougang centre will provide the same services offered at Pro Bono SG's main office at the State Courts in Havelock Road, such as legal representation for certain offences, or free basic legal advice.

In addition to this, the new centre can also support those with related social issues, such as substance abuse or unemployment, through working with social service agencies in the neighbourhood. 

Pro Bono SG currently helps around 17,000 people yearly with its services.

The Hougang centre is located in two container-type offices near the entrance of the temple so that people of all races and religions will feel comfortable to enter, said Mr Raymond Wang, the chairman of Tian De temple.

It will be manned by two full-time lawyers.

Pro Bono SG said that containers are used for the centre as they are easy to move and can be transferred to a bigger area if the centre expands. They are also a cost-effective option.

The Singapore University of Social Sciences will identify and recommend suitable students and graduates to also volunteer at the centre.

HOW THE IDEA CAME ABOUT

The idea for the centre was the brainchild of Mr Richard Siaw, the managing director of law firm R S Solomon LLC and the ambassador for Pro Bono SG this year.

In mid-last year he was introduced to Mr Wang, who expressed interest in the idea.

Mr Wang said he believes that a temple should extend help to the community it is in.

“If you only conduct prayers, one day you will be neglected by the community because you don’t communicate with them,” he said.

The temple, which consists of four constituent temples, was established in 1981 after its constituent temples relocated from various parts of Singapore to Hougang when the Government acquired their land.

Since then, the temple has been active in the community, reaching out to different religious groups.

For example, it distributes halal food during its joint Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations with Hougang Community Club so that Muslims can also join in.

One of its constituent temples, which is Teochew, has also been home to an altar for Ganesha, the Hindu elephant deity, for the last 15 years.

Mr Wang said that a Hindu devotee who also prayed at the temple had asked for the altar.

Mr Wang believes Singaporeans are open minded, and those of different faiths will not hesitate to use the centre.

The Community Law Centre is funded by a foundation established by Mr Siaw’s law firm, temple funds and contributions by donors, among others.

It is open for a two-year pilot, by the end of which Mr Siaw hopes to see the idea replicated at other temples or clan associations.