August 13, 2021, 04:49 PM
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Whatever your impressions of Sembawang, Ong Ye Kung wants you to know that it's more amazing than you think.
The Minister for Health and Member of Parliament (MP) for Sembawang GRC published a video on his Facebook on Aug. 13 showcasing some of the "inspirational people" who make the northern neighbourhood special.
"Some people look for a beautiful place, others make a place beautiful," wrote Ong, quoting the Sufi teacher and poet Hazrat Inayat Khan.
The video features Ong taking a ride on Bus 75S while talking to various residents and business owners.
According to a disclaimer, it was filmed in accordance with IMDA's advisory and the prevailing Covid-19 rules, with subjects only allowed to remove their masks while on camera.
Image from Ong Ye Kung's Facebook page
An author, a business owner, and a baker
Image from Ong Ye Kung's Facebook page
First up was Kamaladevi Aravindan, author of the Tamil language historical novel "Sembawang" — a book inspired by her own experience of living in the area as a newly-wed in the 70's.
"I really enjoyed the life. Sulthan Theatre — at night going for the movie with my husband," she recalled.
Image from Ong Ye Kung's Facebook page
Next, Ong approached Lim Wei Jie, the co-founder of Foreword Coffee; "A chain that embraces differently-abled people and promotes sustainable fair-trade coffee," narrated Ong.
Lim explained that he'd hired his workers after getting in contact with different special education schools.
"I saw some of them, they look very happy," quipped Ong.
Image from Ong Ye Kung's Facebook page
Lastly, on the upper deck of Bus 75S, Ong spoke to Nurseriwaty "Sery" Rahim.
The home-based baker who runs Violet Frost whips up cakes and treats from her flat in Sembawang.
"Covid-19 may have dampened sales volume, but not her fighting spirit," said Ong.
Prompted by her experience of caring for her mother after a stroke, Sery has taken making video recordings of her baking process.
"Let's say if anything happens to me — that one day I couldn't talk and my children need to take over my business — they would know how I do it," she said.
MP for Sembawang since 2015
Ong has been an MP for Sembawang GRC since 2015, when he was first voted into parliament.
More recently in GE2020, he took over from the retiring Khaw Boon Wan as the "anchor man" for the PAP team contesting the GRC.
"Let's continue to make Sembawang special," he concluded in the video.
The full video of Ong's bus ride can be view here:
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Top image from Ong Ye Kung's Facebook page
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