Residents’ Committees must adjust to changing needs and norms: PM Lee

SINGAPORE - Residents’ Committees (RCs) must adjust to changing needs and norms to continue their mission of engaging residents.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said RCs can do this by following the “ABC” - adapting to residents’ needs, bridging government and residents and, connecting residents with one another.

Mr Lee was speaking at the National Residents’ Committee Convention at ITE College Central today (March 15) afternoon.

RCs were introduced in 1977 with the aim of re-creating a sense of community among residents who had just moved out of their kampongs into new HDB estates.

Mr Lee said RCs have done a very good job to look after the concerns of residents, while strengthening the links between the government and Singaporeans.

However, Mr Lee said Singapore has completely transformed since the first RCs were set up.

He cited the changing lifestyles and family structures, and the stresses of living in a rapidly changing and uncertain world.

He said RCs must adapt their activities and programmes to residents’ changing needs, lifestyles and interests.

For example, RC Centres are getting upgraded to become places for residents to hang out.

As a bridge, Mr Lee said RCs can help residents understand government policies, including the details of the Budget.

He said RCs can help connect residents with one another by tackling community issues like littering and noise pollution and to distribute N95 masks during the haze.

Mr Lee said good people are needed to build strong RCs and he added the government will pour in the resources and training to help chairmen and volunteers do a better job.

The People’s Association will start a programme to develop RC chairmen and managers through the National Community Leadership Institute. CHANNEL NEWSASIA