SM Teo Chee Hean at the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan 46th Board Installation Ceremony

王志豪高级政务部长，
许宝琨高级政务部长，
八邑会馆会长曾建权先生,
女士们、先生们,

大家早上好。很高兴出席潮州八邑会馆第四十六届董事会的就职典礼。

今年是我们第一次不能亲自到场。不过，我们今天能够在网络上一起见证这重要的典礼。我能感觉到我们团结的精神在困难的时刻变得更强了。

去年是个富有挑战的一年。感谢所有新加坡人的耐心、谅解与合作，我们一起稳定了疫情。政府通过多个预算案，帮助我们的家庭和国人应对挑战。我们帮助企业恢复日常运作，以及为未来打好基础。工友方面，政府加强了津贴与培训机会，特别是中老年人，帮助他们提升技能、拥有更多工作机会。

我很高兴八邑会馆也做出了很多贡献，帮助会员与新加坡人应对疫情。去年，在疫情最严重时，会馆停止了活动，转向关心海内外的潮州人, 发挥了“潮州人、自己人”的精神。对外，会馆向潮汕乡亲送了一万个医用口罩。在国内，会馆分发了十多万个医用口罩给本地潮社团体与会员。会馆也支持政府，制作了几段以潮州话讲解的视频，向国人传达重要的防疫信息。

我们已经进行疫苗接种计划，但前面继续有挑战。疫情以外，我们须要努力让新加坡的经济和本地企业转型、帮助工友们提升技能，应对未来的挑战。在第四十六届董事会的领导下，我有信心潮州八邑会馆能继续与政府和所有新加坡人共同合作，安全度过难关，为新加坡打造更美好的未来。

恭喜潮州八邑会馆第四十六届董事会就职上任！谢谢。

English Translation

Senior Minister of State Mr Heng Chee How,
Senior Minister of State Mr Koh Poh Koon,
President of Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan Mr Chan Kian Kuan,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning. I am pleased to attend the Installation Ceremony for the 46th Board of Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan.

This year is the first time that we cannot be physically present for the ceremony, but we are all able to witness this important ceremony virtually today. I can feel that our spirit of togetherness is even stronger, especially during this time of crisis.

Last year was a challenging year. But thanks to the patience, understanding and cooperation of all Singaporeans, we have managed to stabilize the pandemic situation together. Through several Budgets, the government supported our families and our people to deal with the challenges. The measures helped our companies to resume operations, and establish good foundations for the future. The government has also increased subsidies and training opportunities for our workers, especially for middle-aged and older workers, to help them to upgrade their skills and have more employment opportunities.

I am happy that Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan has also made many contributions to help your members and fellow Singaporeans to deal with the pandemic. Last year, at the height of the pandemic locally, the Huay Kuan suspended all your activities and turned to caring for the Chaozhou community at home and abroad, demonstrating the spirit of “Teochew people, my people”. Externally, you donated 10,000 medical masks to the Chaoshan community. In Singapore, you distributed more than 100,000 medical masks to local Teochew clan associations and members. You also supported the government to record a few videos in Teochew to convey important COVID-19 prevention messages to Singaporeans.

While we are rolling out our vaccination programme, there will continue to be challenges ahead. Beyond the crisis, we need to work hard to enable our economy and local businesses to transform, and help our workers to upgrade their skills, to meet the challenges of the future. I am confident that under the leadership of the 46th Board, Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan will continue to work with the government and all Singaporeans, so that we can emerge from this crisis safely, and create a brighter future for Singapore.

Congratulations to the 46th Board of Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan on your appointment! Thank you.

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