KEBUN BARU Division is part of the ANG MO KIO Group Representation Constituency (GRC). It comprises the northeast of Ang Mo Kio HDB Estate built between 1975 to 1982, and a few private housing estates, including the major area of Sembawang Hills and the newer estates in-between known as Ellington Garden and Shangri-La Park. Other new constituencies established in the Ang Mo Kio GRC at that time were Cheng San, Chong Boon and Yio Chu Kang.
The First Member of Parliament (MP) for Kebun Baru was Mr Lim Boon Heng. Mr Lim started his groundwork in the new constituency in late November 1980, where there were squatter areas affected by the resettlement. He worked with the Ang Mo Kio Citizen's Consultative Committee (CCC), Thomson-Oh Kio Community Centre Management Committee (CCMC), Resident's Committee (RCs), seventh-moon organisations, temple management committees, shops representatives and village elders before and after the election, to ensure that all residents’ issues and problems were attended to. Issue which he was preoccupied with at that time were, resettlement issues, basic infrastructure problems like bus services and better roads, finding jobs for residents displaced from their farming jobs.
The other area Mr. Lim focused on was the provision of recreational facilities and social activities for residents in the estate and helping them adjust to urban lifestyle. The single shophouse Community Centre (CC) at Block 114 along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, which was originally meant as a sub-CC of Ang Mo Kio Constituency before the 1980 GE, was the operational centre for the grassroots organisations. Four Resident's Committees namely, Zone A, B, C and D under Ang Mo Kio Constituency before the General Election (GE), became part of the Kebun Baru Grassroots Organisations (GROs) and the need for a new community centre became a priority. Mr. Lim together with the grassroots leaders then raised a total of $1.2 million within 3 years. The construction work of the CC began in April 1983 and it was ready for occupancy in May 1985 and was officially opened by Mr Lim on 2 August 1986.
Mr Lim was asked to lead the Ulu Pandan Constituency in the 1991 GE. Another young and energetic candidate, Mr Umar Abdul Hamid became the MP for Kebun Baru. In July 1994, Kebun Baru welcomed Mr Inderjit Singh, a former grassroots leader from Siglap, as the second adviser to Kebun Baru Grassroots organisations.
The GE on 2 January 1997 brought in a team of many new MPs for Ang Mo Kio GRC. In particular, Mr Inderjit Singh assumed his full position as the MP for Kebun Baru and Adviser to Kebun Baru GROs. Mr Umar Abdul Hamid had successfully passed his baton to Mr Singh.
Before the GE in 1997, Mr Singh as the Second Adviser to Kebun Baru division had shown keen interest in the improvement of both the HDB precincts and the private estates. With his encouragement and determination, the residents of Blocks 229-235 were the first to benefit from the HDB upgrading programme in Kebun Baru. The second upgrading project was for residents of Blocks 254-258. These residents were also the first to enjoy an extension to their flats through the Main Upgrading Programme. Another two interim upgrading programmes for Blocks 170-176 in Zone E and Blocks 108-111 in Zone C were also completed. Mr. Singh was also instrumental in helping the CC raise $1.38 million (within two and a half years through various fund-raising projects) for a major upgrading and refurbishment programme, which was completed on 30 April 1998 at a cost of $3.65 million. Part of the cost was borne by the People's Association. This breathed new life in the centre which was renamed the Kebun Baru Community Club in 1998.
Since becoming the MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC in 1997, Mr Singh has made it a point to attend almost all functions and activities organised by the GROs, whenever he is in Singapore. Mr Singh conducts weekly meet-the-people sessions and makes every effort to attend GRC events, major grassroots functions and seventh-moon dinners when he is invited and he usually stays till the end of the functions. Every year, as gestures of appreciation, Mr Singh invites all his grassroots leaders for an appreciation dinner during the Lunar New Year period and for lunch at home to celebrate Deepavali.
Mr Inderjit Singh has actively promoted a “fun and enriching” life for residents in Kebun Baru, especially through the implementation of cultural and community activities. For example, its P Ramlee Club has been expanded to include more Malay cultural activities.
In addition, the Kebun Baru CC Arts Troupe was formed in May 1999 with the intention of promoting the Chinese Cultural activities, which was initiated and guided by Mr Singh. The famed Chinese Orchestra, which is a subgroup under the Arts Troupe, was subsequently formed and it has since grown in strength and repertoire. The Orchestra has helped in nurturing the musical talents and provides a conducive environment for all young and old to learn and play Chinese musical instruments. Many of the Orchestra members are residents comprising of students, professionals and retirees. The Orchestra has performed on more than 10 occasions, where they were given good reviews, at the Ang Mo Kio Town Centre, Victoria Theatre, Singapore Botanic Gardens and even in the Esplanade.
Mr. Singh has also been instrumental in mobilizing resources and organizing activities for senior citizens which cumulated into the Kebun Baru Wellness Programme in 2008. through his effort, we have reached out to many seniors in the constituency and getting them to lead a healthy and vibrant lifestyle. He has always placed emphasis in providing the right support for the seniors so that hey can be more active and keep themselves healthy. Providing support for those in difficulty and the needy residents of Kebun Baru has also been one of Mr. Singh’s priority. Whether through immediate financial support, or through support of their family members Mr. Singh believes that giving resident financial independence through a meaningful job is the bets long term solution for those in financial difficulties. Through many schemes, he has helped many residents find jobs. Notable among these is the Job Navigator scheme where a full time person is deployed to find jobs and help residents successfully gain employment. This programme has been highly successful.
Kebun Baru has come a long way since its inception in the late 70s. We look forward to its continued progress and development, as we moved into the new decade. With the addition of a MRT station and various upgrading programmes ahead, the future promises to be an exciting time for all residents of Kebun Baru.
