Selection Criteria for National Celebrations at Heartland Sites and Framework for Systemic Rotation of Celebrations Across Towns
Ministry of Culture, Community and YouthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the selection criteria for national celebrations at heartland sites and the potential for a multi-year rotational framework to distribute these events across all towns. Mr David Hoe inquired how the Government determines locations for events like Chingay@Heartlands and whether a systematic rotation would be considered to improve accessibility. Minister Edwin Tong Chun Fai explained that the People’s Association selects sites based on capacity to maximize outreach, cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and operational requirements such as suitable terrain for mobile columns. He clarified that a rigid multi-year rotational framework is not used, as site selection is determined annually based on local needs and the specific operational context. Instead, the Government generally organizes one celebration per district to ensure that all residents have convenient access to these events that promote community bonds and social cohesion.
Transcript
13 Mr David Hoe asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) how does the Government determine the locations of heartland sites for major national celebrations, such as Chingay@Heartlands and National Day Parade Heartland Celebrations; and (b) whether the Government will consider a clearer multi-year rotational framework so that access to such celebrations is more evenly spread across all towns.
Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: I am answering in my capacity as the Minister charged with the responsibility for the People's Association (PA).
The PA's mission is to promote social cohesion and racial harmony. One of the ways we achieve this is by bringing national celebrations like Chingay@Heartlands and National Day Heartland Celebrations closer to residents in their neighbourhoods, thereby fostering community bonds.
When organising these celebrations, PA works with various stakeholders and local Grassroots Organisations (GROs) to identify suitable locations.
Key considerations for heartland celebrations sites include site capacity to maximise outreach and cost-effectiveness, accessibility and whether venues can meet operational requirements. For example, the National Day Heartland Celebrations in 2025 required sites with appropriate terrain and suitable roads that could be closed for the deployment of mobile columns.
Given these considerations, PA does not employ a rigid multi-year rotational framework to determine the locations of heartland celebration sites. Instead, site selection takes into account the local needs and operational context, year on year. Generally, there is one heartland celebration per district, so that all our residents can conveniently access a celebration near them.