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A Band Of Brothers

05 February 2010 2 comments

Mr Lim Tee Kit, 59, is an experienced grassroots leader who has dedicated 30 years to serve his fellow Singaporeans.  For his contributions to the community, Mr Lim was conferred the prestigious Bintang Bakti Masyarakat – Lintang (BBM-L), or the Public Service Star (Bar) at the National Day Awards 2009.  The recognition is one which Mr Lim is honoured to receive.

However, one of Mr Lim’s earlier experiences when serving the community did not garner words of appreciation or commendation. Instead, it was marked by a slur.  This was in 1964, during the fear-gripped days of the Indonesian Confrontation. Mr Lim had signed up to volunteer with the Vigilante Corps organised by the People’s Association and was eager to play his part to ensure the safety of his fellow residents against potential terrorist threats.  The Corps would patrol the streets and back alleys to check on suspicious people and items, responding to the slightest movement and sound in the dark.  “As we walked, we rummaged through baskets and rubbish piles just to be sure.  Often, a rat would jump out, and because of this, the people started calling us pa niao ci, which is Hokkien for beating the rat,” recalled Mr Lim.

Many members of the Corps were upset with the name-calling, but they never stopped serving as they cared deeply for the community’s safety.  Mr Lim remembers fondly that the morale during patrols was always high due to the camaraderie that the Corps members shared.  And it is this spirit of brotherhood that Mr Lim cherishes the most through the years, right up to today, as he volunteers with the PA grassroots organisations.

Mr Lim related stories about how camaraderie carried the grassroots “brotherhood” though numerous obstacles and difficulties.  “Once, to raise funds for the new Kebun Baru CC building, we decided to run three community events at once.  Even PA HQ was asking - are you sure you can do it?  We were quietly confident, because we had invited a number of popular Hong Kong actors to help raise the publicity.  It was a logistical nightmare rushing all over the place, but we managed to pull it off together.”

Looking back at his years of service, Mr Lim credits his fellow grassroots “brothers” for all the fond memories.  “They are like a big second family to me.  I don’t think I would be who I am today without having them by my side in all that we have been through.”

About Mr Lim
Mr Lim Tee Kit, BBM(L), is currently the Vice-Chairman of Kebun Baru Community Club Management Committee, Secretary of Kebun Baru Citizens’ Consultative Committee and Patron of Kebun Baru Constituency Sports Club.

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