Dear residents,

We welcome yet another year with this first 2008 issue of BRIDGE!

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a “community” as “people with common interests living in a particular area.” This means that a community is not just defined by geographical boundaries, but by people with shared interests - where genuine bonding occurs and community ties forged.

An important community tie is the one between the old and new citizens – something Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong highlighted during the Community Development Council’s (CDC) 10th anniversary appreciation dinner in November 2007.

Last year alone, we had 70,000 new citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) in Singapore. To our “new citizens” in the South West district, I would like to extend my warmest welcome to you. Come forward and take part in the myriad activities the South West CDC and its various divisions have organised for the residents, ranging from neighbourhood activities such as block parties and the lantern festival, to district-wide events such as the South West CDC’s annual Family Funnival in March. Take the opportunity to come together with your neighbours and in no time, you might fi nd yourself being invited to more personal occasions such as your neighbours’ birthday parties!

To our “long time citizens”, I urge you to continue to move beyond your comfort zone and make the new citizens in our nation and our district feel welcomed. With the Chinese New Year around the corner, you can spread the festive joy through simple gestures such as handing out Chinese New Year goodies to your next-door neighbour.

The tragic deaths of Mr Wong Tong Seng and his daughter Ju Lin in their executive flat is a stark reminder of the importance of building strong community bonds. In our ageing society as well as with increasingly smaller families, neighbours need to know each other well and look out for one another.

Let’s work together to make the South West district an all-inclusive and caring community!

Finally, I would like to wish all Chinese residents a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!