The Municipal Services Office (MSO) would like to alert members of the public to a fraudulent QR code masquerading as the OneService (OS) Lite QR code. The fraudulent QR code leads users to a phishing website asking for personal information.
Posters containing a fraudulent QR masquerading as OS Lite at lift lobbies of some HDB blocks at West Terra and West Edge in Bukit Batok, were discovered by West Edge Residents’ Committees on 19 January 2023, and immediate action was taken to remove all those posters. The fraudulent QR code imitates the function of the OS Lite, and users who scanned it were brought to a website containing an online form for them to provide feedback, and asking for their name, email address, contact number and address.
MSO has since alerted all Town Councils of the incident, and the Town Councils are conducting necessary checks on the OS Lite QR codes in their towns. A police report was also filed, and the fraudulent website has been taken down and replaced by an advisory indicating that it is a suspected scam website. MSO is assisting the Police in their investigations into the incident, and will continue to work with the Town Councils to monitor the estates for any fraudulent activities.
If you have information related this scam, you can submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. If you suspect that a QR code or link claiming to be from OneService is a phishing attempt, please email oneservice_community@mnd.gov.sg.
We urge members of the public to remain vigilant when accessing websites, and to always check if the website address is legitimate before submitting your personal details. QR codes and links associated with OneService channels always lead to websites with domains on “gov.sg” (e.g. https://www.oneservice.gov.sg, and https://www.life.gov.sg/app).
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688.
Issued By: Municipal Services Office (MSO)
Date: 20 January 2023
As we usher in the Lunar New Year, Chua Chu Kang Town Council would like to encourage all residents to be considerate and play their part in keeping their environment clean by practising responsible joss paper/incense burning.
Should you have any feedback or enquiries on the provision of incense burners, please do not hesitate to contact Chua Chu Kang Town Council at Hotline: 6569 0388.
Thank you for your cooperation.
With Chinese New Year just around the corner, this is the time when many Chinese families embark on their spring cleaning.
As you get rid of the old and welcome the new, here are some tips to help you declutter while doing your bit for Mother Earth.
Keep — only if the item is in use
Rule number 1: Items are worth keeping only if you use them regularly.
Anything you have not used or touched for the past 2 years, it makes good sense to clear them away.
That doesn’t mean they are destined for the rubbish chute which will contribute to the landfill!
For things that are still in perfectly good condition, consider the next two steps.
Give or donate items in good condition
Items such as old bedding, toys or clothes that are still in good, useable condition can be donated or given away on Carousell or to established charities such as The Salvation Army.
Newcomers like Green Square or Cloop take in old textiles and even old shoes and bags as part of their bid to help consumers move towards a zero-waste lifestyle.
There are also many Facebook groups such as 1st Dibs Zero Waste Community or Singapore Neighbourhood Freecycle 2 where participants give away items.
You can even donate used clothing at fast fashion retailers. H&M, for instance, collects clothes from any brand in any condition under its Garment Collecting Programme.
Recycle items & give them a second life
As you spring clean, do your bit for Mother Earth by recycling paper, plastics, metals, or glass products. Items made from these 4 materials can all be conveniently disposed into the blue recycling bins near your block.
#RecycleRight by taking these 3 steps: Check, clean & recycle.
Check the blue bin’s label to confirm your items are suitable for recycling- here’s a list of what is recyclable or not.
Do not toss toys, clothes, e-waste or bulky furniture into these bins.
Clean your toiletries/detergent bottles, jam jars and other food containers before recycling. Dumping wet, greasy or food-contaminated items may dirty other items in the bin and render them un-recyclable.
Recycle by dropping them into the blue bin.
Throw away if items are broken or cannot be recycled or given away
Finally, for items that cannot be salvaged, off they go into the bin.
To dispose bulky items, you should contact the Town Council at 6559 0388 to book a time and date at least 3 days in advance. This free service is provided by the CCK Town Council and each HDB household can request for removal of up to 3 items per month.
With the upcoming festive period, the Town Council will be providing an additional service to assist residents in their spring-cleaning efforts. From 1 January to 31 January 2023, residents will also have the option to leave their bulky items at designated areas at their void decks for removal. This service excludes renovation debris and large furniture or items such as 3-door wardrobes, 4-feet cabinets, pianos, safes or other extra-large items.
There you have it, 4 simple steps to a more sustainable and eco CNY! Have a happy and earth-friendly Lunar New Year!
CCK Town has many beautiful gems — your 2023 CCK Town Calendar shows just some of the many spots that captured the interest of our resident shutterbugs.
This is where magical glow-in-the-dark mushrooms grow, and cute otters catch forty winks. There is also a hill where stars appear to ‘rain’ from the heavens.
To kick off 2023, share with us your most interesting sight in CCK Town and you may just win an HP Envy 6020 printer worth $108 if your suggestion makes a story.
Our last Spot & Share winner Franky Chong introduced everyone to a silk cotton tree he discovered growing in front of Block 488C Choa Chu Kang Avenue 5.
Email your find to corpcomms@ccktc.org.sg and provide as much details as possible, including your contact information.
Spot and share this new year!
CCK estate Bryan Goh found these magical glow-in-the-dark fungi in Bukit Batok Hillside Park.
Bukit Gombak resident Myron Tay caught this otter catching forty winks at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
Brickland resident Kang Qiang’s patience was rewarded with this star trail photo at Goodview Gardens.
Dear Residents,
With the festive period coming up, Chua Chu Kang Town Council would like to help our residents with their spring cleaning efforts by upgrading our free bulky items removal service.
From 1 Jan 2023 to 31 Jan 2023, all bulky items that are left at the designated areas at the void deck will be collected daily by the Town Council. There will be signage at the void deck to point out the designated areas. There is no cap on the number of things you can discard during this period.
If you have any enquiries, please contact the Town Council at Tel: 6569 0388 or info@ccktc.org.sg.
* Please note that the service is strictly not applicable for house moving purposes and/or for renovation debris.
The beauty and allure of our endearing and enduring CCK Town was once again captured most magnificently by our resident shutterbugs.
Check out the 12 winning photos featured in CCK Town’s 2023 Calendar! Look out for your copy of the calendar coming your way!
Admire the stunning vistas captured by our 12 residents.
Our top 3 winners are:
CCK estate resident Bryan Goh, who clinched the top place with his fascinating shot of Little Guilin (pictured below). His prizes worth over $700 include an HP Deskjet 6020, a Fitbit Luxe Fitness Tracker, a 1-year Microsoft 365 family licence, and $300 worth of FairPrice vouchers.
Second prize was awarded to Hong Kah North resident Yong Kuo Hoong, whose dreamy depiction of Kranji Marshes (shown below) won him close to $500 worth of prizes comprising an HP Deskjet 4120E, a Fitbit Inspire 2, a 1-year Microsoft 365 family licence, and $200 worth of FairPrice vouchers.
This is third time lucky for Kuo Hoong, who snagged the top prize in the photo contests for the 2021 and 2022 Calendars.
For his photo of serene Eagle Point in Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve (shown below), Hong Kah North resident See Chin Foo was awarded the third prize worth over $300. He won an HP Deskjet 2722, a Fitbit Aria Air Smart Scale, a 1-year Microsoft 365 family licence, and $100 worth of FairPrice vouchers.
The other 9 winners (not shown in any order below) win a $50 FairPrice voucher each.
Sungei Buloh is a favoured subject for Keat Hong resident Jonathan Inal too.
Hong Kah North resident Foong Thai Kwong took this charming photo of a red dragonfly resting on a terrapin in Little Guilin.
Children enjoying the new playgrounds at The Arena @ Keat Hong caught the winning lens of Bukit Gombak resident Gina Ng Zhi Ting.
Bukit Gombak resident Aaron Ngiam offers an evening glimpse of the HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok.
CCK estate resident CT Lin showed off the vibrancy of Teck Whye estate.
This charming parent-child pair enjoying a jog along Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4 was captured by Keat Hong resident Keith Tan.
Goodview Gardens looks so pastoral when captured by Brickland resident Kang Qiang.
Keat Hong resident Sreeraj C took viewers to rustic Sungei Tengah.
CCK estate resident Tan Wen Jin gave everyone this high-rise view over Brickland.
Time for an Adventure!
A Day in the Life of …
Indulge Your Imagination
Albert Einstein once said: “Play is the highest form of research”. So what better place and way to indulge in the best form of “research” than at many of the fascinating playgrounds found in CCK Town?
In this three-parter series, we take you to playgrounds that stir your imagination and unleash new creative power.
For the young and young-at-heart, what are you waiting for?
Time for an Adventure!
Let your child’s curiosity and spirit of exploration take over this December holiday. Conquer these playgrounds which are perfect for an adventure. We show you where in the last of our three-parter on the wonderful places you can play in CCK Town.
Not only can children get their daily dose of Vitamin D through outdoor play, but they can also improve their eyesight at the same time. Studies have shown that at least 2 hours a day spent outdoors reduces the risk of myopia significantly.
Why not set out now for a tree-mendous time?
Bukit Gombak: Voyage up this treehouse and pretend you are Andy and Terry from Andy Griffiths’ Treehouse series at Block 531, Bukit Batok Street 51!
CCK estate: Let your inner Tarzan loose in this ‘jungle’ at Block 10 Teck Whye Avenue.
CCK estate: A short walk away from the playground is this treetop observation deck at Block 10 Teck Whye Ave for some real nature spotting.
Brickland: Go on a quest by hopping across these coloruful stones, clambering across the nets and whizzing down the slide for a grand time at Block 811 Choa Chu Kang Ave 7.
Keat Hong: Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow, until you find your dreams at Block 407 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3.
Hong Kah North: Take a walk on the ‘wild’ side at Block 404 Bukit Batok West Avenue 7.
A Day in the Life of …
Role-playing games are great for improving children’s creativity and helping them develop problem-solving skills.
Discover your very own “Kidzania” in your backyard where your kids can play their favourite characters and roles. Check these out during the school holidays!
Keat Hong: Be the King of the hill at this castle-themed playground at Block 435 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4
Bukit Gombak: Join Old MacDonald on his farm for some rustic fun at Block 535 Bukit Batok Street 52
Hong Kah North: Be a heroic firefighter racing to the rescue with this red fire engine at Block 413/415 Bukit Batok West Avenue 4
Brickland: Attention! Be on your guard as a Commando at this guard post at Block 817A Keat Hong Link
CCK estate: Be an intrepid explorer or Robinson Crusoe and conquer the wilderness at this treehouse in Block 134 Teck Whye Lane
Indulge Your Imagination
Kick off your explorations in CCK Town and join us to embark on a journey of make-believe. Be adventurous and conquer air, sea and land, we have got you all covered!
Toot toot! Ship Ahoy! Time to take-off!
Brickland: Commandeer your own army tank near Keat Hong Gardens at Block 815C Choa Chu Kang Avenue 7. This military-themed playground pays homage to the estate’s heritage as an army camp.
Bukit Gombak: Embark on your mountaineering trip at Block 510 Bukit Batok Street 52. This climbing wall at the playground can be a kid’s Mount Everest or K2.
Chua Chu Kang estate: Climb on these jeeps and get ready for a safari at Choa Chu Kang Park. Vroom, vroom, an adventure is just round the corner.
Keat Hong: Sail away on this pirate ship and be your own Captain Jack Sparrow at The Arena @ Keat Hong.
Hong Kah North: The sky is the limit here at Block 339/345 Bukit Batok Street 34. Take off in creative play in this airplane-themed playground.
The More We Play Together
Tone Up Power!
Get Your Body Pumping
Did you know there are more than 30 fitness stations in CCK Town? With so many open-air fitness corners in our estates, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to exercising. These well-equipped outdoor gyms at the foot of our HDB blocks are free to use and found across the Town.
In this 3-parter series, we will take you across CCK Town and show you the kind of fitness corners there are for you to keep in shape.
Time to get fit & fab!
The More We Play Together
For families with young children, finding time to exercise may be tricky. So what better way there is than to combine a trip to the fitness corner together with a jaunt to the playground?
With playgrounds and fitness corners nowadays conveniently co-located next to one another, it is possible for families to have some multigenerational fun.
Take your pick from a treehouse in Bukit Gombak, a pirate’s ship in Hong Kah North and an inclusive playground that welcomes all at The Arena @ Keat Hong.
Remember, a family that plays together, stays stronger together. Here are some fitness corners with playgrounds conveniently located next to them:
Brickland: Blk 489B Choa Chu Kang Ave 5
Bukit Gombak: Blk 531 Bukit Batok St 51
Chua Chu Kang Estate: Blk 229 Choa Chu Kang Central
Keat Hong: The Arena @ Keat Hong, Block 411 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3
Hong Kah North: Block 412A Bukit Batok West Avenue 4
There is no lack of facilities in CCK Town for both the young and old to get active. If you have not checked out some of these spots, why not make it a point to do so this week? You could get some exercise and entertain the youngsters at the same time!
Tone Up Power!
This hydraulic bench press, which can be found in many fitness corners, is great for toning and sculpting the upper body.
Without any weights attached, hydraulic fitness machines in these fitness corners rely on a fluid system to let users enjoy smoother and gentler movements. This also places less stress on the joints, resulting in a more enjoyable workout.
Bukit Gombak: Blk 531 Bukit Batok St 51
Hong Kah North: Blk 319 Bukit Batok Street 33
Using the bench press activates your entire upper body muscles – the triceps, shoulders, back and core.
Greater upper body strength improves muscular endurance and is effective for getting better at sports like sprinting and football.
These are some of the fitness corners in CCK Town equipped with hydraulic machines:
Brickland: Blk 489B Choa Chu Kang Ave 5
Bukit Gombak: Blk 531, Bukit Batok St 51
Chua Chu Kang: Blk 159 Jalan Teck Whye
Keat Hong: Blk 412 Choa Chu Kang Ave 3
Hong Kah North: Blk 319 Bukit Batok Street 33
With so many options for working out and keeping fit, there is no reason not to get moving. Check out these fitness corners and get started today! Tone up to a fitter and more fabulous you!
Get Your Body Pumping
A cardio workout, short for cardiovascular exercise, improves your endurance by strengthening your heart, lungs and muscles.
The goal is to engage in moderately intense physical activity that raises your heart rate into the zone where you burn the most fat and calories.
Did you know that using the elliptical can burn some 270 to 400 calories in just 30 minutes?
Unlike other popular but high-impact cardio activities like running, the elliptical is gentler on your knees, ankles, hips and other joints since your feet never lift off the pedals.
It also lets you work both your upper and lower body at the same time.
Here are some of the elliptical machines you can find in CCK Town:
Bukit Gombak: Block 513 Bukit Batok Street 51
Brickland: Block 489B Choa Chu Kang Avenue 5
Chua Chu Kang Estate: Block 229 Choa Chu Kang Central
Hong Kah North: Block 404 Bukit Batok West Avenue 7
Keat Hong: Block 483A Choa Chu Kang Avenue 5
An active lifestyle can boost your physical and mental health, giving you improved self-esteem, mood and energy. With such a big variety of equipment available in the many fitness corners spread out across CCK Town, it is never too late to get started on a fitter and healthier you!
What is this pair of old MRT seats (pictured above) doing in the void deck of Block 252, Choa Chu Kang Avenue 2? It is your chance to take a ride on the train of sustainability!
These are the first community seats upcycled from retired MRT trains installed in Brickland estate this November. In the coming months, residents can look forward to another 17 sets of these seats to gradually make their journey across CCK Town and into your void deck.
(From left to right) Lim Yi En Eaden, Alisha Zafrah, Muhammad Salim and Klaudia Chong excitedly showing off the new community seat.
Together with 80 excited preschoolers from PCF Sparkletots Preschool @Brickland 807C, Brickland MP Don Wee unveiled the first pair of upcycled MRT seats as part of CCK Town’s sustainability efforts (pictured above).
The children were all geared up to “ride the train” and learn more about upcycling. They found out that old MRT train parts such as the passenger seats and metal handrails are not easily recyclable and would have to be thrown away.
Hence, the Action for Green Towns collaboration between SMRT and 15 PAP Town Councils has gotten together to “rescue” some 14,400kg of reinforced plastics, metals and other hard-to-recycle materials from Singapore’s only landfill, Pulau Semakau, which is expected to be full by 2035.
The entire project is expected to upcycle at least 1,500 MRT seats into community seats at void decks as well as other communal areas. Another 1,400 handrails will be repurposed as safety handrails for less mobile residents.
About 900 intercom panels and LED light covers found in trains will also be transformed into plant holders for use in community green gardens.
Are you ready to give the new community seats the thumbs-up like Muhammad Salim, Klaudia Chong and MP Don Wee (pictured below)?
Snap and share a shot of yourself on our “sustainability train” to show your support for a greener CCK Town.
Make your action count!
#Action4GreenTowns #Sustainability
It’s our collective responsibility to keep the public spaces clean!
Everybody can do their part! In support of SG Clean Day on Sunday, 30 October 2022, you may want to gather in groups to show your commitment by cleaning up your community together.
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind all residents to bin the trash and keep the environment litter-free.
Together, let’s create a cleaner and safer Chua Chu Kang Town for all!
Deepavali falls on different days every year and typically between October and November. Its exact date is determined by the Indian lunar calendar. This year, it falls on 24 October.
One of Singapore’s major ethnic holidays, Deepavali is also widely considered to be India’s most important annual holiday.
How much do you know about this festival which is celebrated by over 1 billion people around the world? Test your knowledge with this fun quiz:
To all residents celebrating the occasion, Happy Deepavali!
Clues
Down
1 The Hindus, ____ and Sikhs mark the religious festival of Deepavali.
3 Not all _____ celebrate Deepavali.
Across
2 Another name for Deepavali is _______.
4 Deepavali was declared a public holiday by the colonial government in the month of October and year, Nineteen-Twenty ____.
5 Many believe that the lights during Deepavali guide the goddess ______ into their households.
Did you know all the answers? Read more about the Festival of Lights and find out if you answered correctly.
#1 Did you also know that Deepavali has been celebrated for over 2,500 years?
In Singapore, even though this festival has been marked by Indian immigrants since the early 1800s, it was declared an official holiday only in October 1929 by the colonial government.
#2 Deepavali is not the Indian New Year, which is usually observed in March or April. Instead, Deepavali is a religious festival that marks the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge above ignorance. Therefore, the festivities usually feature oil lamps, colourful light displays and sparklers.
#3 This festival is commemorated not only by the Hindus but also by the Jains and Sikhs too. While the different religions all share the tradition of lamp-lighting for this festival, they each have their own unique beliefs and practices.
For the Hindus, it marks the slaying of the tyrannical demon, Narakasura, by Lord Krishna. It also commemorates the return of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana after their 14-year exile and defeat of the demon king, Ravana, according to the Ramayana epic.
The Sikhs refer to the festival as ‘Bandi Chhor Divas’, and celebrate the release of their sixth guru, Guru Hargobind’s release from a Mughal prison.
The Jains, on the other hand, mark the liberation of Lord Mahavir from the endless cycle of reincarnation and his attainment of nirvana. They refer to the festival as ‘Mahavira Nirvana Divas’.
#4 During Deepavali, the lighting of oil lamps at dusk symbolises the sun chasing the darkness away. This practice is especially apt for a festival which falls on a new moon every year, which makes for the darkest night.
Many Indians also believe that these lights guide the goddess Lakshmi into their households, bringing with her good fortune.
In India, firework displays and firecrackers are very popular during Deepavali celebrations.
#5 Deepavali or Diwali – confused over the names used for the Festival of Lights and how to greet your Indian friends?
Both names are variations of a Sanskrit term meaning “row of lights”.
The name Deepavali is used by Tamil-speaking southern Indians, whereas Hindi-speaking northern Indians call it Diwali. So, you can wish them Happy Deepavali or Happy Diwali, depending on whom you are speaking to.
How did you score on the fun facts? Here are the answers to the quiz:
To all residents celebrating the occasion, Happy Deepavali!
