Farewell, Mr Phang!

Mr Phang

Farewell, Mr Phang, Jalan Besar will miss you.

92-year-old Mr Phang Tai Heng is an icon, especially at Jalan Besar CC. Now one of the busiest vaccination centres due to its location, the fairly new community centre is one of the projects he helped to build.

As a grassroots volunteer for decades, his quiet and gentle demeanour was what most of us noticed. Few know he is one of the peacemakers on the ground during the racial riot of 1965 in Singapore, him being proficient in both Chinese and Malay.

Quietly serving without fanfare, he represents the profile of volunteers I have come to know and respect since I started serving in Jalan Besar.

I honour all of them who are constantly plodding and serving our residents in tasks big and small; from building CCs to house-to-house visitations with me to the frequent distributions of food, sanitisers and masks.

Rest in peace, Mr Phang.

Thank you for reminding us on how to serve.