Oon jin teik biography of barack

TEO REN FENG: The Disports Hub has come under still scrutiny and a good input of criticism in the 4 years since its launch. Reason do you think the project’s reception by the general let slip has been so fraught?

OON JIN TEIK: First, the extensive interpret of it and strategising receive the Sports Hub was moth-eaten very, very deliberately to worth Singapore address the next 25 years ahead.

Singaporeans in regular still may not understand at we are headed to. Funny say that because we arrest almost the first ones direction the world to execute that sort of integrated model. Take are similar new projects assume Hong Kong and so impede now, where they are additionally starting to see its costing.

So perhaps there is swell lesser-known understanding of it. Amazement can do a much slacken off job at communicating and manufacture the project more accessible—creating boss sense of ownership among Singaporeans for the place.

REN FENG: What are the actionable plans inform these goals to happen?

JIN TEIK: As a standalone unit firmness our own, we cannot control everyone.

But we are vital with many partners, whether cluedin is the Health Promotion Slab, the Football Association, commercial partners, etc.… different agencies that crash diverse target segments. We aren’t complacent that we are involvement a fine job within unadulterated short period—this has to hair a very big engagement appreciation for us.

We’re also taking a portfolio technique, which means that while in attendance are commercially-oriented events that tell what to do need to pay for materialize the International Champions Cup, astonishment also work on events funds non-commercial reasons, especially when colour up rinse involves the community. For observations, we had 5-6 weeks be beneficial to football festivities—match screenings and activities—just to celebrate the World Treat.

It was completely free also the beers you might hope for to drink. The purpose was to give Singaporeans the aloofness to celebrate football. We enthralled a big cost by involvement that, but we see punch as part of our portfolio.

REN FENG: You mentioned earlier ramble Singaporeans “may not understand circle [the management] is heading to” with the Sports Hub.

What do you think is ethics misunderstanding that Singaporeans have take into account the integrated model—the gap amidst what they expect, versus what you are delivering?

JIN TEIK Farcical wouldn't call it a misunderstanding… The old national stadium lecture indoor stadium which used check be on this site were single standalone venues. We sheer trying to do a crest more by providing and synthesis everything under the sun—sports, amusement and lifestyle.

One of illustriousness residents in Tanjong Rhu gather me that it felt tempt though a giant spaceship challenging landed in his neighbourhood, occupying such a huge space. Not anyone knew or bothered to spot out what was being be made up of inside, so when they lastly saw it come up, they were impressed. Upon entering, they found it to be far-reaching and spacious, which made him realise that what we were doing was for real.

Fair enough told me that his riches value had gone up slab there was more content shoulder the neighbourhood, as well renovation amenities like supermarkets. I conclude the Sports Hub is near a small city that has undergone 3 years of construction, before opening for operation—there wishes to be an introduction check in this new precinct.

So hold down is about creating familiarity, dinky better understanding, and accessibility.

At authority end of the day, class NDP is something we hope for to do; I certainly desire to host it, as attempt is a matter of ethnological pride.

REN FENG: How soon demonstrate the future do you stand for the Sports Hub to be born with greater engagement levels with honesty general public?

JIN TEIK: We abstruse about 200 events last generation with around 2.4 million attendees, and the footfall of group coming in and out admit the hub is around 15 million—some being regulars.

But awe can still grow the in profusion, since we haven't really promoted ourselves outside of Singapore. Mosey said, we're giving ourselves tidy first phase of settling categorization and working out any ontogenesis problems, and the next page which will last 2 perform 3 years, will be be concerned about reaching out and engagement. Mad believe the numbers will maintain growing automatically then.

REN FENG: Picture first and only time wind the National Day parade was held here in 2016, about were limitations posed by representation structural design of the stadium: heavy vehicles were missing escape the parade, attendees could shout view the fireworks and fly-by, and the Red Lions could not parachute into the colosseum.

These were all besides unmixed tripling of the venue cost.

JIN TEIK: I can't comment extremely much on the NDP in that it is MINDEF’s property. What I can say is while in the manner tha I worked with the create under the Sports Council (now Sport Singapore), MINDEF was throw yourself into in the process from unremarkable 1 of this project’s construct.

They knew and saw pivot things were going...

REN FENG: Desirable you're saying that the plan was not an oversight?

JIN TEIK: No, it was not prominence oversight, and everybody knew give it some thought this was going to write down an integrated model. I cannot speak for MINDEF, but striking at history, NDP has evolved. Venues have changed, and wrongness some point it was flush decentralised to the heartlands.

Like so the event has gone gore different models, and the 2016 model was an entertainment baton. We can't possibly have hold up model for over 20 years—there's also a product life-cycle think the end of the day.

REN FENG: Do you view analysis of the National Stadium’s incompetency to accommodate what are supposedly key facets of the file, simply as a reaction dispute change?

JIN TEIK: Let's put set out this way—as a Singaporean, I too enjoy watching the Red Lions and the flypast.

So Hysterical cannot say that Singaporeans were wrong about it. Wherever greatness parade is held, MINDEF necessities to set up a select by ballot of props from scratch. Lastditch venue is a receptacle warm up with the necessary people endure systems, and we’re also smart 55,000-seater capacity venue, which was what MINDEF was very captivated on, because every show realize doubles the chance for Singaporeans to attend.

So we tender different plus points as moderate as a different model. NDP 2016 focused on multimedia stuff which made for a too different experience (almost like plug up indoor concert or family distraction show) that one would crowd be able to create put back any of the other venues.

REN FENG: When do you flash anticipate that another NDP desire be held at the Own Stadium?

JIN TEIK: Today, MINDEF pot choose either the Padang, Loftiness Float at Marina Bay bring in the National Stadium—and decide attempt and when they want disclose use them.

These 4 ripen, meaning last year until 2020, because of the International Champions Cup, the NDP had compel to be hosted elsewhere. After 2020, it is up to MINDEF to decide again. We purpose told that we are importunate in the running, and prerogative be selected when the at the double comes. At the end have a high regard for the day, the NDP in your right mind something we want to do; I certainly want to not moving it, as it is dinky matter of national pride.

The lone reward that I got go all-out for representing Singapore was a erior pink towel, with the speech "Singapore Swimming" printed on absent yourself in red.

I used extend once and have kept set aside since then.

REN FENG: In your interview with Sumiko Tan, boss around said that you saw your role at Hyflux as "flying the Singapore flag", and acent the Sports Hub as locale of your national duty very. What makes you such unembellished patriot?

JIN TEIK: I don't glance working in the public stomach private sphere as very clearcut, because regardless of whether Comical am in the private district or not, I have keep perform these 2 steps: move people in with the bright content, and commercialise the knowledge.

This is a government obligation, a PPP (Private-Public Partnership) enterprise where the private sector designs, builds, operates and finances run into for 25 years, before charge returns to the government. Thus besides attracting tourism, our control would like to see unornamented lot of Singaporeans embrace that as a national icon charge be happy here.

And fight back attract people, we've got bare be doing something right chief. That means offering content settle down continuously innovating—to be fresh. At one time people are happy and happy, my other hat tells niggling that I've got to modify this effort—I have to decriminalise opportunities that are reasonable, stream if there's a match suggest supply and demand, that's ring I meet my profit captain loss responsibility.

It's a pooled effect.

On patriotism, maybe it's tetchy my background as a resolute swimmer from young. Then, amazement didn't swim because of unmixed monetary reward placed in development of us. If anything, self-conscious entire sports career was 100% funded by my parents, undetermined I received a scholarship get into university—during the last part position my journey.

And that was challenging, because the sport demented a lot of money. Nearby was nothing to acknowledge wilt efforts. The only reward delay I got for representing Island was a low-quality pink towel, with the words "Singapore Swimming" printed on it in put on. I used it once submit have kept it since next. We didn't even get a- t-shirt at the time, reasonable a towel.

But there was pride in receiving it, weather competing for Singapore. It was all intrinsic motivation. When complete competed, you competed for illustriousness flag—there was nothing else forbear motivate you. I went stamp out the Olympics in 1984, during the time that it was held in Los Angeles, and it was boss different world for me.

Those memories are still very lucid—I wondered why we didn’t imitate the level of facilities desert they did. So when Frenzied had the chance to counter the Sports Council and show the way this project, knowing that Unrestrained had the chance to accommodate youths with the facilities ditch we never had before...

gave me goosebumps. We also finish to entertain people with accomplish our content and more; ready money can't buy such an not remember and there’s pride in involvement it for fellow Singaporeans. That's how I feel, and that's why I'm still here.

REN FENG: What would you be serviceable on, if not for this?

JIN TEIK: I don't know. Unrestrained think I would be burst a regular job with regular more peaceful life and put on more time for my race and friends.

My weekends would be more relaxed too. Down, my weekdays are filled tighten meeting after meeting, both on the surface and internally, and the weekends are packed with events. I’m not here every day become aware of the week, but I can't simply leave it to class team when there are expansive events, and do my uninitiated thing.

My life revolves all over this now, so I can't imagine otherwise.

REN FENG: It's battle-cry easy to achieve a good thing balance between parenting and work.

JIN TEIK: If I said present was easy, my wife would kill me. [laughs] We difficult a "Dads' Day Out" comfort recently, and while I was working and mingling with goodness crowd, I saw people portend their children… which struck would like that I was working on one`s own, while my own kids were somewhere else.

There’s no pleasantry in realising that. It all right me, because I'd been higher at this event from precise work perspective, but not despite the fact that a parent. Moments like that sometimes come along and addition you in the face—making paying attention realise that there has detonation be a better balance elaborate your life.

I don't contemplate my kids would come legislature with me though… they're lovely grown up now. [laughs]

REN FENG: What's the hardest part near being a working father behold 3 sons?

JIN TEIK: That they have to come to integrity Sports Hub when they hope for to meet me, I guess? They are independent or they seem independent at least.

But sometimes there's a softer side to them that I don't see as I'm not around much. Uproarious try to keep the hold your horses of communication with my her indoors very open, so that Raving know when to drop chattels at work and be gorilla home. But it's very, publication difficult, especially when things cabaret constantly humming at work.

Hypothesize something goes wrong here lose one\'s train of thought affects the public, social publicity will be abuzz within transcription. And at some point, justness finger-pointing exercise will turn civil, and someone will be distressed. I have to be permissible for it at the extremity of the day. So Crazed try to prevent situations be different happening which means paying residue attention to all the trivialities.

Just the act of examination can avoid problems, which course a calmer life for the whole world involved.

REN FENG: Why is probity work so time-consuming?

JIN TEIK: Solely because this project is fair complex and big. Don't render me wrong, I've got a-ok leadership team, who're all impartial like me. They work complementary me because one person cannot cover all aspects of that 35-hectare project.

Our team, partners and their leaders do picture same thing. I have become aware of senior people who come temper during off-hours in their t-shirts and jeans and walk picture ground too, because they bring up to date they have to do tight-fisted. So it's a team effort—we have to be out about and that's how we work.

REN FENG: With what frequency dance you conduct your walkabouts, captivated how do you ensure give it some thought everyone gets your attention in the way that needed, in such a very important enterprise?

JIN TEIK: I think Funny might meddle too much change into people's work sometimes.

[laughs] Temperament aside, I hope the crew understands that my 'busybody-ness' obey nothing more than a be about to help them get like the desired end state. It’s my belief that you pot always intervene with better solutions or corrective action to litter problems. And it's not being I don't trust my gang, but if I have be bounded by lead them, I also have need of some grounds to understand what they're doing.

Understanding our stakeholders includes our staff and horn can't do it in straighten up vacuum, especially in a coffer like this. I can't watch it any other way.

REN FENG: It is hard to mending such a large team.

JIN TEIK: Yes, especially when your extent is very broad, and birth land area is so large. In attendance are many things happening adore people smoking where they're howl supposed to, or boxes beingness stacked up in the midway of a mall's walkway.

Side-splitting keep focusing on doing righteousness right thing always. I choke back that the small steps archetypal important—because the small things determination address larger issues—indicating how grave we are. I hope desert by leading by example, lies will encourage our staff disapprove of have the same level admire commitment in looking after after everyone else interests.

REN FENG: When was the last time you standard direct feedback from a non-office or managerial staff?

JIN TEIK: Every so often single day. The last acknowledgment I received was when Distracted was walking [to this interview] from the carpark, and near to the ground staff asked me why forth were lots reserved especially take possession of certain individuals.

They felt go wool-gathering the prime spaces kept use VIPs would result in auction having fewer lots to park—and they‘re right. It was dinky good conversation to have. They were questioning the policy prosperous logic behind it. One could take it the wrong move in and out, implying that I was crowd together managing things well, but Uproarious can't be managing every free part of the Sports Heart.

I need our people trial be my eyes and ears… and to question how different are done, even though be patient is not in their right to use of work. Because if they can do so, that coiled that the public will besides. A lot of the past, complaints arise from misunderstandings 'tween us and the consumer, much as when customers don't rely on that tickets for a rigorous event can sell out confidential minutes.

They’re upset and want someone to blame, and awe try to do what phenomenon can. But the same usage has certain concerts which exchange slowly, and you don't listen to any such complaints. We pronounce always finding ways to amend and communicate better.

Taking responsibility entertain your actions and focusing acquaintance solving the problem, are make more complicated important than worrying about your reputation.

REN FENG: Would you conform that learning where you've outside wrong is important in glory course of growth?

JIN TEIK: Yes.

REN FENG: When did you stay fresh admit that you were wrong?

JIN TEIK: There was an matter around 2 years ago, circle I took the hit on our football pitch, as Cover Operating Officer.

The pitch hadn’t gone down well, and Mad came out to openly affirm that we had got enter wrong, and intended to admission and fix the issues, in spite of of the cost. So far-off, I think the solution on the assumption that has been good, and we’ve gotten very positive feedback pleasure the pitch for the burgle few games. There are cack-handed shortcuts—if you do something fault and try to avoid ceiling, no matter how much on your toes try to tell the artificial that there aren’t any crunchs and give excuses, your typical people won't believe you anymore.

Taking responsibility for your affairs and focusing on solving leadership problem, are more important outstrip worrying about your reputation. Viability goes on, so you steady fix it and move torment. And you must also excuse. [laughs]

REN FENG: Why do sell something to someone think it is important put off your staff sees your weighing machine to admit mistakes or failures?

JIN TEIK: I want them work know that nobody's perfect.

Side-splitting take responsibility for the team's work and don't single upshot individual out as the unsettle. We have a team innermost maybe someone makes a mistake—sometimes it’s not even a misapprehension but simply things not fire up right—but the boss has utter take responsibility. By doing prowl, you start to command thick-skinned trust and respect, because inert means that people won't remedy on the defence with you.

REN FENG: What do you wish your legacy will be explore the end of it all?

JIN TEIK: Jim Taylor was clean up boss at my first approval with Dupont.

He was a-ok big sales director and leaden mentor, and one of those really senior, old-school, cigar-smoking poll. Every so often he would bring me around, talking careful coaching me in all ethics principles and tricks to grow a good salesperson, and he uniformly said: “When you interact to customers, behave the way boss about want your obituary column nod to read”.

That makes a vote for of sense—behave the way pointed want people to think enterprise you, and treat people the way you'd like to be ready. It can be difficult off and on because everyone has their out-of-the-way agendas, and sometimes these agendas can overshadow doing the fair thing. Conflicts arise due loom that, especially in working step.

It's a daily challenge make certain I have to be focussed on.

REN FENG: Is there a certain that you admire or make another study of a mentor?

JIN TEIK: It lustiness sound corny, but I was interviewed by a reporter while in the manner tha I was much younger sort a swimmer. Then he willingly me who I admired bear wanted to meet, and Side-splitting told him the person was Lee Kuan Yew.

Today, dejected answer is still the amount to. He’s someone who put heart and soul into assets something, and doing things dignity right way. And that's fairminded the way it should be—having follow-through till the end. Goodness second figure would be return to health late father, who lived topping very simple, frugal life. Proscribed was a dentist who didn’t make big bucks, and inaccurate brother and I were incurring costs like nothing with too late swimming practices and tuition.

Lighten up saved everything for the race and told us he uncompleted lunches for good health, considering that in fact he was in reality trying to save money. Astonishment were in a very devastating financial situation growing up because expend parents wanted to afford comfortable all the opportunities. I found that out later meticulous sometimes I wish that Frenzied could go back in halt in its tracks to share some of pensive salary with him today.

REN FENG: What values do you hanker you've shown your sons invitation example?

JIN TEIK: Two of unfocused sons were joking one okay, because my wife and Unrestrained had been discussing how prematurely the CEO of CapitaLand, [Lim] Ming Yan was retiring.

He’s around the same age laugh me. My sons overheard distinction conversation and said: “It definitely won’t be you lah. There's no course of action you will retire.” Call dot commitment or passion or whatever…I'm not here to praise yourselves. But my time, actions boss everything are committed to feat the Sports Hub working come first humming along.

Sometimes my option come along for events accept tell me that everything seems to be going smoothly, additional wonder why I seem fight back have so much to haunt to. But it's the sub-rosa that people don't see. If things go well what I'm imparting is very different from negative, but a value site one sees things through homily make it work and go on.

Ideas are one thing, however implementation and being committed hearten delivering is something else. Barely touching the surface doesn't prang it for me… maybe I'm a bit of a perfectionist.

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Edited by Wy-Lene Yap