Singapore — Longtime opposition leader and now restauranteur Dr Chee Soon Juan struck an optimistic note in a Sept 30 Facebook post, writing that he believes “Singapore’s best years still lie ahead.”
Dr Chee, the secretary-general of the Singapore Democratic Party, launched Orange & Teal, a café in Rochester Mall, in June, along with his wife Huang Chi-Mei, with different members of their family helping out.
The opposition leader called Orange & Teal a “long-term dream” when he announced its launch on June 22, but has found it to be a “grueling endeavor” as well, especially due to ever-changing pandemic restrictions.
Thanking everyone who has come to the café, he wrote, “I have been with the SDP for 30 years but it’s the last 3 months that have told me that Singapore’s best years still lie ahead. The more I talk to you, the more hopeful I get.”
On Thursday, when Orange & Teal turned 3-months old, Dr Chee found a reason to celebrate.
“Hi, everyone. Orange & Teal is 3-months old today. It’s been exciting – with a lot of hard work put in – since we started. My highlight is coming up to you and having a great chat,” he wrote.
He called the café a “microcosm of my vision for Singapore – a place where intelligence, culture and compassion flourish.”
Dr Chee added, “Intelligence thrives when we have debates, book launches, talks, etc. which we look forward to conducting at the cafe. And a society cannot be gracious and cultured without the arts and music.
We’ll continue to host artists and their works and, in time to come, invite musicians to perform.
But, most important, a life without compassion isn’t worth living. O&T will keep our doors open for the weakest among us where warm meals and friendly arms await.”
Indeed, the SDP leader has opened Orange & Teal to workers and the elderly poor, saying everyone is welcome, “from millionaires to cardboard collectors.”
He then appealed to the public to “help me build this vision and see what Singapore can become. It’s more than a place for that meal or cuppa; it’s a place of familiar comfort, a place called home,” and thanked those who have “come to the café and made this place come alive since we opened our doors.”
Dr Chee also announced Club Tapestry, a membership plan at the café.
Membership costs $50, and comes with free dishes and discounts, he added. Those who would like to join may click here https://orangeandteal.sg/teal-card/. /TISG
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