When the Ang Mo Kio Community Centre (CC) started out in 1976, it had only a small space at the void deck of a block of flats.

Mr Lim Yok Tiong, who was chairman of the CC's management committee, and his team had to use other spaces, such as nearby school fields, when organising activities for residents.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recounted this at the CC's 40th anniversary celebration yesterday, as he thanked Mr Lim and other long-serving Ang Mo Kio grassroots leadars for their contributions to the estate.

"Without these activists, without these volunteers, without these dedicated people, we would not have the CC, we would not have the activities, we would not have the community that we have," said PM Lee, who took a wefie at the event.