Wednesday, May 13, 2015

My Walkabout in CCK

NSP's outreach activity in Teck Whye last Sunday is a regular affair for the party.


Teck Whye is one of 7 neighbourhoods in Choa Chu Kang and the first block of flats in Teck Whye were built in 1980. If you are making your way into Teck Whye Lane to visit the market place there, be ready for the traffic jam along Jalan Teck Whye.

The coffeeshop at Blk 143 was bustling with people taking their Sunday morning breakfast and the human traffic flowed non-stop. The orange outfit of our members stood out from a distance as they dispersed to mingle with the crowd. NSP had come to greet the residents again and to promote the party organ, called The North Star.

I met lots of interesting people. Not all of them were residents of CCK. Some came to meet friends for their regular Sunday breakfast. Others came because of the food. There were people who were absolutely friendly when approached and  there were those who were shy and reserved. Generally, they were all typically polite. When I smiled and introduced myself, they returned a smile and shook hands with me. Some who were more outfront asked questions about the general elections.

There are a few who were clearly waiting to speak out. Generally, they were concerned about the costs of living and their stressful lives. There were some people who eyed our members with great reservation and were indifferent to the activity around them. Singaporeans, by and large, are beginning to get used to seeing political party members making their rounds in markets and hawker centres. In fact, if these party members are not seen to be doing so, their commitment could be viewed with suspicion.


After the walkabout, we sat down to fill out tummies. At this coffeeshop, I found a stall that sells an unusual black sauce version of prawn noodles. It tasted different and was good. At $4.50 per bowl, it was rather pricey. A nonya kueh stall at the corner sells a potpurri of delucious local pastries and curry puffs. I bought a packet consisting of 7 pieces of tapioca kueh for $3.50. That works out to 50 cents apiece.

Walking and interacting with residents provide party members with a better perspective of the real issues that are close to the hearts of the common folks. Politics is really about people and no politician worth his salt can claim to truly understand the people if they do not take the trouble to meet the people and speak with them.

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