Chingay 2014 is happening tonight and tomorrow night (7th and 8th February). To commemorate, EZ-Link is launching the Chingay 2014 Commemorative ez-link cards set by two Batik Artists, Mr. Sarkasi Bin Said and Mr. Ika Zahri Bin Sarkasi. More information in the Press Release.
Bottom: Card Design by Sakarsi Said
Press Release
EZ-Link Launches Chingay 2014 Commemorative ez-link Cards set
Featuring masterpieces by legendary local batik designers to raise funds for the recognition of volunteers and caregivers.
SINGAPORE, 7 February 2014 – To commemorate Chingay 2014 and to inspire greater community involvement and volunteerism for the society’s needy, EZ-Link, in collaboration with the People’s Association (PA), launches the Chingay 2014 Commemorative ez-link cards, designed by internationally-renowned local father-and-son batik artists, Mr. Sarkasi Bin Said and Mr. Ika Zahri Bin Sarkasi. A Project We Care initiative by EZ-Link, the proceeds from the sale of these cards will go towards the EZ-Link PAssion Cares! Fund, a donations-specific fund under the PA Community Development Fund to support meaningful community initiatives such as sharing festive love with well-deserving caregivers and volunteers in society.
Keeping to its objectives of helping families and individuals in need, the EZ-Link PAssion Cares! Fund this year focuses on extending appreciation and motivation, in the form of Chingay 2014 tickets, to caregivers and volunteers of Community Hospitals, Welfare Homes and Welfare Centres, long-serving and regular grassroots, and other volunteers who look after the lonely, aged and other beneficiaries in HDB estates.
“EZ-Link wants to do our part to encourage volunteerism and caregiving in our society, by extending gratitude to those who have given a large part of their lives to care for those in need, often without respite or rewards. In the spirit of Chingay 2014 when all celebrate as one people, we are launching the Chingay 2014 Commemorative ez-link Cards, to provide an opportunity for members of the public, corporations and tourists to not just own a piece of our culture and history, but to come together to recognise the tireless silent individuals in our society, and inspire more to do the same,” said Mr Nicholas Lee, CEO, EZ-Link Pte Ltd.
“Chingay is also a parade with a heart. No one should be left out in this annual festive celebration. Hence, in 2011, the PA, organiser of the Chingay Parade Singapore, introduced a fund raising charity scheme Chair for a Cause @ Chingay (妆艺一椅一爱心慈善计划). Through the donation by many PA staff, corporate companies and well-wishers, we have been able to invite 5,500 beneficiaries each year to the Parade. With the support of the EZ-Link PAssion Cares! Fund, we hope to invite even more beneficiaries to the parade this year,” said Mr Nah Juay Hng, Chairman, Chingay Parade 2014 EXCO, Group Director (Engagement Cluster-Arts & Culture), People’s Association.
The Chingay 2014 Commemorative ez-link cards are available in a set of two. Mr. Sarkasi Bin Said’s card design is inspired by the Chingay 2014 opening theme poem by Lianhe Zaobao Senior Executive Editor and accomplished poet, Mr. Pan Cheng Lui; while Mr. Ika Zahri Bin Sarkasi’s design is curated from the 360-metre batik banner, a highlight of the opening of Chingay 2014, hand-painted by 40,000 members of the public over a six-month period. Both cards are enclosed in an exquisitely-designed packaging displaying the theme poem, making it a perfect commemorative reminder of Singapore’s rich cultural diversity and a precious memento to own, for Singaporeans, residents, corporations and foreign visitors.
Available at S$20 each and in a limited run of 20,000 sets, the set of two cards can now be purchased at My EZ-Link Online Shop (www.myezlink.com.sg) and at Raffles Place, City Hall and Chinatown TransitLink Ticket Offices, as well as SingPost outlets, while stocks last. Customers who place their orders on My EZ-Link Online Shop can choose to either collect their cards at the SPH Media Centre located at 82 Genting Lane #04-08 Singapore 349567, or have the cards delivered to their doorsteps at a $6 delivery fee per order. More details about the cards can be found at www.ezlink.com.sg
Appendix: Profiles of Batik Artists
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About EZ-Link Pte Ltd
EZ-Link Pte Ltd was formed on 8 January 2002. Its core business is the clearing and settlement of all EZ-Link card transactions generated in transit and non-transit (retail/merchant) environments, as well as the sale, distribution and overall management of EZ-Link cards. To date, more than 17 million new CEPAS-compliant EZ-Link cards have been issued. This is in tandem with the government’s plan to promote cashless payments in Singapore. In line with this vision, the new EZ-Link card is now also accepted as a mode of payment for Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and at carparks fitted with the Electronic Payment System (EPS) when used in the dual-mode in-vehicle unit.
About People’s Association
The People’s Association (PA) was established on 1 July 1960 to promote racial harmony and social cohesion in Singapore. Our mission is to build and bridge communities in achieving one people, one Singapore.
PA offers a wide range of programmes to cater to Singaporeans from all walks of life – connecting people to people, and people and government. We do this through our network of 1,800 grassroots organisations (GROs), over 100 Community Clubs, five Community Development Councils, the National Youth Council, National Community Leadership Institute, Outward Bound Singapore and Water-Venture.
About Project We Care
‘Project We Care’ is an initiative led by private sector and the People’s Association, and supported by National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) and Singapore Kindness movement (SKM), to encourage corporate volunteerism in Singapore, engaging the efforts of private sector CEOs and their employees to contribute towards meaningful causes in the community. Through the leadership of Ms Wee Wei Ling, Chairperson of ‘Project We Care’, it aims to provide opportunities and platforms for corporations to do good and also impact and inspire other corporations to step out.
Appendix
MR SARKASI SAID
Singapore-born internationally renowned batik artist Sarkasi Said, is known for his bold and vibrant abstract style, and his mastery in unconventional wax-resist techniques. Called the “Baron of Batik”, Sarkasi’s works have been exhibited in the USA, France, Japan, New Zealand and in Southeast Asia. Now, his works can be found in public and private collections, including the collection at the National Museum of Singapore. As a tribute to him, Sarkasi Said’s work will be celebrated at Chingay 2014 Opening Item ‘Paint With One Heart’.
MR IKA SARKASI
The son of Sarkasi Said, Ika Sarkasi studied batik from his father at a very young age. He has since been exhibiting his own works at various exhibitions, The New York Art Expo in New York City (U.S.) and at the first Mendaki Charity Exhibition in Singapore. Currently working with students in schools, he has nurtured countless number of students’ artistic potential and is considered to be a highly promising artist of the next generation. Ika Sarkasi, together with his wife, Zarinah Begum, are the facilitators for the ‘Paint With One Heart’ Community Engagement Project participated by 40,000 residents of different races, ages and estates.
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