Geylang clan associations, religious organisations gather for the first time to mark CNY
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Manpower Minister Tan See Leng (second from left) and Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong (second from right) taking part in lohei during the Geylang Cultural Organisations and Clan Associations Spring Reception on Feb 6.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
SINGAPORE - For the first time, 32 clan associations and religious organisations in Geylang came together to celebrate Chinese New Year on Feb 6.
The inaugural Geylang Cultural Organisations and Clan Associations Spring Reception 2025, held on the premises of the Chang Clan General Association at 23 Lorong 29 Geylang, was attended by 110 representatives from the clan associations and religious organisations in Geylang.
The area falls within Marine Parade GRC.
Besides the Chang Clan association, others present included representatives from the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, Chong Tuck Tong Temple, Nan Hai Fei Lai Guan Yin Monastery, Chong Hood Lim Association, Singapore Teochew Hong Long Yeo Clan Association, and the Vimalakirti Buddhist Centre.
The idea for the event was conceived during a dialogue in October 2024, when representatives from various clan associations and religious organisations met Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, and Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong, both MPs for Marine Parade GRC.
Speaking to The Straits Times, Dr Teo Hark Piang, president of the Chang Clan General Association and the event’s organising chairman, said the dialogue played a crucial role in bringing the groups together.
There are more than 100 clan associations in Geylang alone, said Dr Teo.
Some smaller clans have between 20 and 30 members, while larger organisations like the Chang Clan have more than 1,000 active members.
“We introduced our clans to the ministers and told them the importance of clans in promoting Chinese culture. In recent years, we have seen many young people coming here to learn about their heritage,” said Dr Teo.
“They also see the opportunity to network at clan associations. We have professionals, the working class and retirees – people from all walks of life.”
The Feb 6 reception – which featured a buffet dinner and lohei, or the tossing of raw fish salad – was also the first time that all four Marine Parade GRC MPs attended an event organised by clan associations.
Accompanying Dr Tan and Mr Tong were their fellow MPs, Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng and Mayor of South East District Mohd Fahmi Aliman.
Dr Choo Pei Ling, second adviser to the Marine Parade GRC grassroots organisations (Kembangan-Chai Chee), was also in attendance.
(From fourth from left) Dr Choo Pei Ling and Marine Parade GRC MPs Mohd Fahmi Aliman, Seah Kian Peng, Edwin Tong and Tan See Leng watching a lion dance performance on Feb 6.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
When asked by ST how the People’s Action Party team in Marine Parade GRC has been gearing up for the general election due by November, Mr Tong said the team has been preparing “since the last election” in July 2020.
He added that all platforms, including the reception on Feb 6, are important to the team.
Dr Choo, an assistant professor at the Singapore Institute of Technology’s health and social sciences cluster, has been spotted in recent months
When asked if she would contest in the coming polls, Dr Choo said the decision is “not up to (her)”.
Dr Tan said the inaugural gathering of all Geylang clans was a strong affirmation of the strength of Singapore’s multicultural and multi-religious ties.
“What better way to bond with everyone in the GRC than on the ninth day of the Lunar New Year,” said Dr Tan, noting that the number nine symbolises longevity.
He expressed hope that this tradition of the clan associations and religious organisations coming together during Chinese New Year will continue yearly.
