DPM Teo Chee Hean at the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan's 45th Board Installation Ceremony

潮州八邑会馆永远名誉会长兼会务顾问郭明忠先生
八邑会馆永远名誉会长兼前会长蔡纪典先生
八邑会馆会长曾建权先生
各位女士们、先生们

大家中午好。很高兴出席潮州八邑会馆第45届董事会的就职典礼。

今年本会馆庆祝90周年，我们也庆祝新加坡开埠200周年。在这两百年，新加坡从一个小渔村发展成现代化城市。我们的宗乡会馆，例如八邑会馆，一直扮演着重要的角色。八邑会馆为潮州社群提供支持和帮助， 也积极推广潮州文化。

今天，八邑会馆仍然是新加坡社群的重要成员。我想提出三个建议，希望八邑会馆能继续为社会服务及作出贡献。

首先，八邑会馆应该继续发扬我们优良的潮州传统文化，将它世代相传。我很高兴八邑会馆一直主办两年一度的 “潮州节”，推广潮州美食和文化。我相信所有新加坡人都已知道 “潮州人 家己人” 的口号。

第二，八邑会馆能促进新加坡与潮汕地区和广东省之间更多的商贸交流。八邑会馆能鼓励年轻一代的潮州人创业，和向成功企业家看齐。

第三，八邑会馆能继续提供机会让新移民更了解新加坡的风俗和文化，加深交流。我很高兴八邑会馆一直帮助潮汕留学生融入本地生活，和加深新中两国下一代的联系。

最后，我希望我们潮人大家庭，有什么问题都能尽早解决。

恭喜潮州八邑会馆第45届董事会就职上任！我期待八邑会馆再接再厉，继续与政府和人民加强合作，为新加坡打造更美好的未来。

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[English translation]

Lifetime Honorary President and Advisor of Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan, Mr George Quek,
Immediate Past President and Advisor, Mr Chua Kee Teang,
President, Mr Chan Kian Kuan,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon everyone. I am pleased to attend the Installation Ceremony of the 45th Board of the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan.

This year, Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan celebrates its 90th anniversary and we commemorate the 200th anniversary of modern Singapore. Over the past two centuries, Singapore has transformed from a small fishing village into a modern metropolis. Our clan associations, like Poit Ip Huay Kuan, have always played a key role in our community. Poit Ip Huay Kuan has provided support and help to the Teochew community, and actively promoted Teochew culture.

Today, Poit Ip Huay Kuan continues to be an important member of our community. I have three suggestions on what Poit Ip Huay Kuan can do to continue to contribute and serve our community.

First, Poit Ip Huay Kuan can continue to promote our excellent Teochew cultural traditions, and pass them on from generation to generation. I am happy that Poit Ip Huay Kuan has been organising the biennial Teochew Festival to promote Teochew food and culture. I believe everyone in Singapore knows the slogan “Teochew people, my own people” by now.

Secondly, Poit Ip Huay Kuan can help to promote greater trade and investment linkages between Singapore and Chaoshan region, as well as Guangdong Province. The Huay Kuan can also encourage the younger Teochew generation to set up new business ventures, and follow the lead of successful entrepreneurs.

Third, Poit Ip Huay Kuan can create opportunities for new immigrants to better understand Singapore’s customs and culture, and to deepen interactions. I am happy that Poit Ip Huay Kuan has been actively helping students from Chaoshan to better integrate into Singapore, and strengthening the ties between the next generation of Singapore and China.

Lastly, I hope that as one big Teochew family, we can resolve any existing issues soon.

Congratulations to the 45th Board of the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan on your appointment! I look forward to Poit Ip Huay Kuan keeping up the good work, and working more closely with the Government and our people, to create an even better future for Singapore.