BY JAKE CHNG

WHEN sales manager Lau Hart Chee, 36, and his family first moved into his new home in Sengkang West early this year, his neighbour threw a welcome dinner for them in his home.

Mr Meqsud Alam, 52, also a sales manager, invited four other neighbours living on the same floor to the dinner, too.

He said: "I wanted to welcome the new family and thought that a welcome dinner was suitable; all our neighbours could sit down and talk while enjoying the food." Mr Alam was one of five people who received the national Good Neighbour Award yesterday.

"Mr Alam provided some medication for my son when he was sick with chickenpox, and I think he deserves some recognition for his efforts," said Mr Lau, who nominated Mr Alam for the award.

When quizzed on his thoughts upon bagging the award, Mr Alam said humbly: "I'm thrilled. But all my neighbours are equally helpful, so what I did was nothing much." The inaugural Good Neighbour Award, organised by the Housing Board and People's Association in partnership with Singapore Press Holdings and the Singapore Kindness Movement, recognises exemplary neighbours.

The winners were picked from a pool of 82 nominees, who had earlier been top three winners of the Good Neighbour Award in their constituency.

They were evaluated by a panel of judges made up of five executives from the award's organisers and partners.

The judging criteria included several factors, such as voluntary spirit in helping neighbours.

Each winner of the national award received a $500 NTUC FairPrice voucher and a plaque, while their nominators and seconders received a $50 NTUC FairPrice voucher each.

The four other winners were: Madam Fu Yun, a housewife who helps her neighbours keep their shoes when it rains; Mr Koon Lock Khion, a taxi driver who occasionally drives his neighbours to the airport free of charge; Miss Soh Ah Kin, a kitchen helper who assisted her neighbours when their electricity was cut off; and Mr Salleh Abu, a part-time mosque volunteer who helps his 90-year-old neighbour with daily chores.

chngjm@sph.com.sg

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