A dedicated family man and community leader

Seet Kok Heng, 57, is a devoted family man, husband to Cai Xiao Feng, 47, and father to 8-year-old Ethan Seet Yu Chen. As Director at Hai Khim Engineering, a local eco-mobility firm that designs, develops and delivers charging solutions for electric vehicles, Kok Heng balances a busy work schedule with a deep commitment to his family and the community.

_{Photo Caption: The Seet family dons patriotic red shirts for the National Day Clean-up with the Public Hygiene Council at East Coast Park}

His volunteering journey began nine years ago with his wife, at Jalan Kayu Residents’ Network. With some free time on his hands, Kok Heng decided to sign up as a volunteer, not realising that this would spark a lasting commitment with his family to volunteering.

Today, Kok Heng is an active Grassroots Leader and the Organising Chair for Jalan Kayu’s Community Food Rescue, an initiative that distributes food that is near expiry to those who need it.

He also serves as an advisor at the Lions Club of Singapore Mandarin. Previously holding the position of District Chairperson from 2019 to 2022, he continues to act as the liaison between the Lions Club and the Public Hygiene Council (PHC).

One of his proudest achievements at the Club is spearheading the National Day litter-free outreach initiative at Marina Bay. In partnership with PHC since 2016, this project involves volunteers proactively engaging the public to clean up after themselves during the National Day fireworks event, and rewarding those who do so with small tokens of appreciation.

Initially requiring more than 100 volunteers, the initiative now needs only about 30 volunteers per activation, as more members of the public have internalised the message of personal responsibility in keeping public spaces clean.

“It’s heartening to see how the message has been accepted. Nowadays, we see more and more people cleaning up after themselves,” Kok Heng shares proudly.

Kok Heng also makes it a point to bring his family along for the activities. He believes that it is a good opportunity to inculcate good values and educate his child on environmental issues.

Volunteering has also helped his child to come out of his shell: “Ethan used to be very shy, but he started opening up at volunteering sessions at the beach, making friends with kids of his age.”

This exposure has led the 8-year-old to become more passionate about environmental responsibility, often picking up trash and disposing of it properly even outside of litter picking sessions.

_{Photo Caption: The Seet family in action, making a difference by picking up one piece of litter at a time}

Looking forward, Mr Seet is excited about a new project with PHC that involves surveying the cleanliness of coffeeshop toilets and providing recommendations for improvement. His dedication to family and community exemplifies leadership, compassion, and a commitment to leaving a positive legacy. Mr Seet believes in maintaining a clean country for future generations, and inspiring others through his actions and values.

With 2024 designated as the Year of Public Hygiene, Seet Kok Heng hopes that his efforts in community service will inspire others to embrace the values of dedication and responsibility.

By encouraging active participation in volunteerism and instilling these values in the next generation, Mr Seet aims to foster a culture of care and cleanliness, ensuring that Singapore remains a thriving, well-maintained home for all.disposing of it properly even outside of litter picking sessions.