Yesterday morning at 9.00am, the SDA Team gathered at the foodcourt at Punggol Plaza where they spoke with the journalists before heading out for their Outreach Walkabout. A short briefing was conducted by Chairman Desmond Lim, following which, the SDA Team began their interaction with the residents at 9.30am sharp.
These familiar faces in their signature lime green tops were being welcomed by the patrons - until they were being informed by the mall management that they could not conduct Outreach Walkabout here - in Punggol Plaza itself.
As such, the efficient and well-prepared team, who has also previously been "chased out" at certain shopping malls before - hence deprived of the opportunity to reach out to the retailers and residents to gather feedback and offer their services - immediately split into 4 groups and continued their Outreach along the pavement outside Punggol Plaza, in the relentless heat.
Despite the fact that most of the residents were passer-bys, most of them actually stopped by to chit chat with the SDA Team, discuss the issues addressed in the Flyers together, as well as share their opinions and feedback.
The residents- regardless of age, ethnic group or gender - were all very welcoming and encouraging. Many of them felt outraged that the SDA Team was being asked to stop conducting their interaction sessions in the shopping itself. "When you take over, please remember your promise for democracy and allow all parties to conduct their outreach fairly," a supportive *Mr. Teng (name changed to protect privacy) told the team, using the word "when" instead of "if" to show his confidence in the SDA Team working hard for their rights.
Others complained about the 6.9 million population and told the SDA Team that they would not support it. "We cannot live in dreamland anymore! Increase in population means more foreigners here to take away our jobs, houses, culture, identity and rights! Tell me what I can do to help prevent that!" *Mr. Mohan (name changed to protect privacy) told the team, adamant to play his part as a Singaporean to preserve with rightfully belongs to us.
Some residents voiced out their unhappiness about the lack of infrastructure in Punggol area and how it pertains to a national issue. "I have been staying here for close to 6 years - and still need to take bus when I do my daily market-going. One small area, they also cannot handle well - will the upcoming estates in Punggol have enough infrastructure as well?" *Veronica (name changed to protect privacy). "Now with more and more people coming in at this rate, it's going to be even harder for infrastructure to accommodate everyone!"
Despite the fact that the SDA Team has been deviated from their original plan of conducting Outreach Walkabout in the mall itself, the alternative arrangement has been way more fruitful actually - allowing residents to chat with the members at their own pace and time, providing quality feedback and encouragement.
These photographs only depict one out of the 4 split teams this morning, because there was only one photographer. At the other 3 corners, the rest of the members were enjoying equal success and quality bonding time with the residents, many of whom are confident that this time round, major changes (for the better) are going to take place, and we will regain a Singapore for Singaporeans!
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