RDU North

Ground Realities at Block 136 Yishun Ring Road: A Community Under Pressure 🇸🇬

Yesterday, a team from RDU North team visited Block 136. The atmosphere was somber as the community was concluding the wake for a 61-year-old neighbour who tragically passed away following a fall from height.

We had the chance to speak with the lady’s god-daughter, who clarified that while the incident was rooted in personal struggles rather than financial ones, the family was in a period of significant transition.

Neighbours we spoke to in the block also shared their deep concerns, noting that she might have been battling severe mental health challenges. This tragedy—occurring while she and her husband were in the midst of moving house—highlights the immense pressure faced by our seniors and their caregivers during times of change. Our deepest condolences go out to the family. 🕊️

Beyond this tragedy, our conversations with residents revealed a "sandwich generation" feeling the weight of an increasingly difficult landscape:

🛑 The "Job Narrative" vs. Ground Reality
A 60-year-old resident, caring for his 90-year-old father, spoke candidly about his skepticism of official economic numbers. He pointed out an "insidious dynamic" in the workplace:

Experienced workers are being told they are "overqualified" just to be lowballed with salaries like $1,700.

Seniors are often expected to do the work of three people for a single salary.

With big companies moving out of SG, residents are asking: What is the contingency plan for local jobs?

📈 The $2,000 Gap
Citing recent SMU surveys and personal expenses, one resident noted that basic costs for an individual now often exceed $2,000/month. When salaries don't keep pace with the rising cost of daily necessities and public transport, "low salaries" simply aren't sustainable for a decent life.

👴 Suitability, Not Just Employment
While PM Lawrence Wong’s recent TikTok messages encourage seniors to work, residents feel there is a lack of ground-level understanding of what seniors can actually do. Employment must be age-appropriate—avoiding heavy lifting and grueling hours. As one resident noted, those in office must have a better understanding of the physical limits of the elderly.

🗳️ A Deficit of "Strong Voices"
A 78-year-old resident raised a vital point: the PAP purposely spins the narrative that the opposition is "weak," which—if citizens believe it—leaves them at the mercy of dictated policies. Another resident pointed out that he only sees his MP once in five years, during election cycles. "How can they understand the daily struggles of Yishun residents year-round?" he asked.

🏚️ The Crushing "Sandwich" Struggle
The tragedy of our 61-year-old neighbour is not an isolated incident—it is a stark reflection of the silent, immense pressure weighing on Block 136. We met a young woman who is the sole caregiver for her mother, a stroke survivor, carrying a burden that few her age should endure. We spoke with seniors in their late 60s who are physically and mentally exhausted as they provide 24/7 care for parents in their 90s.

This "sandwich generation" is being squeezed from both ends, often without adequate mental health support or financial reprieve they desperately need. While we were inspired by the resilience of a bubbly 90-year-old Qigong shifu and the 71-year-old father who is proud of how his three children turned out, resilience must not be an excuse for government inaction. Our neighbours are staying positive because they have to survive, but they should not be left to navigate these "personal struggles" and daunting health transitions in isolation.

✋Our Commitment:
The tragedy at Block 136 is a sobering reminder that "official narratives" often miss the immense pressure families face behind closed doors. The residents we met deserve more than just a presence during election cycles; they need a government that acts on the "real story" of the sandwich generation before they reach a breaking point.

We remain committed to pushing for accessible mental health resources for seniors and their caregivers, so that no one has to navigate "personal struggles" or health transitions in isolation. Furthermore, we will continue to advocate for fair job quality controls that protect experienced workers from exploitation and lowball salaries that do not meet the S$2,000 monthly cost-of-living reality. Red Dot United is here to ensure that the resilience of Yishun residents is never again used as an excuse for policy inaction.

We hear you, . We will continue to be your voice.

Last night, we visited residents living in the public rental flats at 461B Yishun Avenue 6. It was moving to witness the resilience of these families despite immense hardship. In two separate households, the main caregiver was battling cancer, yet their courage and determination for their loved ones was unmistakable.

Cost of living remains the greatest challenge for many residents. Several told us they had exhausted all their CDC vouchers and found it difficult to secure enough financial assistance. Rising transport costs are a constant worry. One family shared that they are waiting for their BTO flat, but the process has been frustratingly slow. Others were struggling to find work—one resident recounted sending out numerous job applications, but still hasn’t landed a position.

The struggles of those living in public rental flats are distinct from many other Singaporeans, but their anxieties are no less real. Even here, people are concerned about the balance of power in parliament—and that is what we aim to address. For the people!

Jobs anxiety is not just imagination. Last night an RDU team visited the coffeeshop at Blk 256 Yishun Ring Road, and after enquiring after the food stall operators and patrons, we headed to the nearby block, Blk 243, knocking door-to-door and getting the feedback of Singaporeans.

One thing we heard over and over again, especially from residents in their mid-40s and older, is that they feel deeply insecure about jobs. People who resign for one reason or another are finding it difficult to land another job. Worse still, if you were retrenched through no fault of your own, or pushed into what is called a “creative resignation,” the chances narrow even further. One resident and his wife told us plainly, “We have no jobs. It is so difficult to find one.” The truth is, when wages stagnate, postings dry up, and re-entry after job loss becomes harder, families feel squeezed.

Several residents also told us about a pest problem in their block—rats and lizards everywhere, and also the crow menace. They know their block was built in 1984, but said it could be something as simple as keeping the void decks clean. Despite repeated reminders to the Town Council, they felt there has been very little improvement.

This is not the first time we are hearing such concerns. On 18 July, we wrote to Ms Goh Han Yan after our door-to-door visit at Blk 602, Yishun Street 61. Residents there had raised serious and recurring issues about:

• Cleanliness — cockroach infestations, litter trapped on the awnings, and inspection routines that seemed lacking.

• Lifts — frequent breakdowns, overloading errors even with two or three users, and residents trapped inside. During our own visit, we encountered a faulty “overload” system in Lift B, despite being well below the stated load capacity.

• Structural maintenance — a dislodging ceiling fixture in a retiree’s home and a corridor ceiling leak near electrical casings.

These are not small inconveniences. They are basic safety, health, and dignity concerns. We requested urgent inspection, better cleaning and maintenance schedules, and a response outlining planned follow-up. So far, there has been no reply. It is not important that she responds to us—but what matters is that she acts on the residents’ feedback. This time, we'll be writing in to Jackson Lam. Hopefully, he'll respond.

One resident also brought up that his flat has only 58 years of lease left. He asked us if we had any info about VERS. We told him we did not. He said if the Government cannot even get SERS right, he is not confident they will be able to execute VERS properly. “There are many headaches waiting for us,” he said.

We promised these residents that we will continue to speak up on their behalf. Whether or not the Town Council responds to us, we will keep engaging them on municipal issues. What matters most is that something good must happen for the residents and their families.

What We Heard in Nee Soon GRC Yesterday

Yesterday, we went door to door across the 100 units in Block 602, Yishun Street 61, and gathered a wide range of feedback from residents. The most frequently raised concerns centered around cleanliness and hygiene, particularly cockroach infestations and poor estate maintenance.

Lift reliability was another recurring issue. Residents cited frequent breakdowns, overloading, and even getting stuck inside the lifts on multiple occasions. These are not small matters when it comes to daily life and public safety.

We were taken aback by how dysfunctional Lift B was in this block. Four of us tried to take it up to the top floor to meet residents. But as soon as the fourth person entered, a recording announced the lift was overloaded and asked someone to alight. We assumed it was a glitch. One of us stepped out and got back in — but again the same message played. We checked the stated load limit: 885 kg. There is no way the four of us came close to that.

This is not a minor inconvenience. It is a serious accessibility and safety issue. We will be raising it with the Town Council.

We also heard heartfelt concerns from seniors who felt increasingly left behind by Singapore’s push toward digitalisation. From difficulties claiming SG60 vouchers to lacking Singpass access, these digital barriers are isolating our older residents from the support they deserve.

Mental health came up too — not just among the elderly but across generations. Residents spoke of stress, restlessness, and emotional fatigue. It is a quiet crisis, and it needs attention.

Other concerns raised included flat maintenance issues, public transport accessibility, and requests for legal aid on matters like will writing.

All this feedback helps us better understand the lived reality of our neighbourhood. And it reminds us: we are not here just to listen, but to act. We will consolidate these insights and follow up with the relevant agencies, while continuing to walk the ground and stand with our community.

Oh, and we happened to meet the new MP for Nee Soon Central ward, Goh Hanyan, at a nearby coffeeshop. She said hi. We said hi back.

Amazing response in this evening. Also, it seems that the PAP is on our campaign trail...or maybe we are in theirs? 😁

Nee Soon, your voice matters.

Red Dot United’s mission is clear:
A Fairer Singapore. First-Class Citizens.

Our team in Nee Soon GRC is ready to serve with heart, humility, and honesty. But we can’t do it alone.

We’re calling for volunteers to join us — people who care about justice, equality, and putting Singaporeans first. Whether you’re from Nee Soon or beyond, we want you on our team.

If you’re a Nee Soon resident, your support means everything.
You understand the ground, the people, and the everyday challenges. Help us speak up for our community, together.

This campaign is not just about politics. It’s about purpose.
Join us in building a future where every Singaporean is treated like a First-Class Citizen.

Let’s make this campaign a people-powered movement for a Fairer Singapore.

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Earlier today, Sharon Lin and her team walked about in the neighbourhood of Chong Pang Vista and chit-chatted with the residents there.

People we spoke to were warm and welcomed us. Of course, there is a general sense of eagerness to know who are the candidates Red Dot United (RDU) will field in the upcoming GE. We told them that it is still early days and that the writ of election has not been issued yet. We promised to field the best candidates when the time comes.

The flats in the Chong Pang Vista area were generally built in the early 1980s. Some residents we spoke to expressed concern that their lease is running down. Some blocks have barely just over 50 years in lease left. Some were worried what will happen to their flats once the lease runs out. Others were worried that they can't sell their flats at a right price because of limited financing options, options to use CPF to purchase, and a smaller pool of potential buyers.

People should not be made to feel so anxious for what could be, for most people, the most expensive buy in their lives, HDB flats. It is no small matter that the value of the flats at the end of 99 years will be zero. PM Wong said so.

We need a comprehensive housing reset and RDU is committed to push for that.

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RDU’s Nee Soon team was on the ground in Nee Soon Central yesterday, meeting long-time shopkeepers, residents, and pasar malam vendors. Walking through the area, we saw how this community has grown and changed over the years—yet some things remain constant, like the Indian and Thai seafood shop that has been here for 18 years, serving generations of customers.

We had friendly conversations with older residents, many of whom shared their thoughts on daily life, the cost of living, and their hopes for the future. There were also some young people who stopped to chat, showing that no matter the age, people are engaged and paying attention to the issues that matter.

We also made a stop at the pasar malam outside Nee Soon MRT station, where we chatted with vendors and shoppers, soaking in the lively atmosphere of the night market. These interactions remind us why listening to the ground is so important—every conversation adds to our understanding of the community’s needs.

As GE approaches, RDU will continue engaging residents, walking the ground, and listening to the people. Because real change starts with real conversations.