SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will
donate $350,000 towards three new awards.
The awards support community bonding, social
service, and the arts.
In a statement, Mr Lee said he hopes this will
encourage charities and volunteers to continue their excellent work
to make Singapore a better home for all.
The latest donation is part of his on-going contributions to
charity following the ministerial salary adjustments in 2007.
Singapore's grassroots organisations play a crucial role in forging
bonds among residents. And Mr Lee wants community relations to
strengthen further.
So he's donating $200,000 towards a Community Initiatives Fund to
sponsor projects initiated by the People's Association.
Mr Lee hopes it will spur more to come forward and help other
Singaporeans - in big ways or small - towards the goal of a more
inclusive and united community.
The People's Association says a panel of grassroots leaders will be
formed to administer the fund.
Mr Lee is giving another $100,000 to a new Prime Minister's Social
Service Award to encourage more Singaporeans to choose social
service careers.
Each award is worth $10,000.
In addition, Mr Lee is donating $50,000 towards a Prime Minister's
Valedictorian Award for the top student in each graduating cohort
from the School of The Arts.
The school says each recipient will get $1,500 - to be given out
from 2013.
- CNA/al/de