Locations of Heartland Sites for Major National Celebrations

1252. Mr David Hoe: To ask 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.

Response:

1. Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: Mr Speaker, I am answering in my capacity as the Minister charged with the responsibility for the People’s Association.

2. The People’s Association’s (PA) 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.

3. When organising these celebrations, PA works with various stakeholders and local Grassroots Organisations (GROs) to identify suitable locations.  

4. 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.

5. 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.