This 17-Yr-Old Is Like An MP, Going On Walkabouts & Helping Boon Keng Residents With Estate Problems

Most 17-year-olds are busy with school, hanging out with friends or living their lives on social media.

Jovan Tang? He's out doing walkabouts, chatting with residents and trying to solve estate problems.

The teen, who has been likened to a 'mini MP', has made it his mission to improve the lives of residents in Boon Keng, where he has lived all his life.

And he certainly looks the part.

Not only does he dress like an MP, his Instagram also resembles one’s, with posts announcing estate improvements, snaps of him posing outside Parliament House and engaging residents, and even posters inviting people to meet-and-greet sessions.

In an episode of Gen Z Crash Course, YES 933 DJ Gao Mei Gui followed community advocate Jovan around his neighbourhood to find out what exactly he does.

Turns out, quite a bit.

Jovan showed Mei Gui several estate issues residents had raised with him, including uneven walkways that had reportedly caused elderly residents to fall.

He said he had contacted the Town Council about the problems, some of which had been addressed.

One of his success stories? Getting speed bumps installed near Boon Keng MRT station after residents complained about speeding vehicles posing a danger to children and the elderly.

Jovan even visited newly built BTO blocks before residents moved in, just to familiarise himself with the surroundings so he can better engage them in future.

Talk about doing your homework.

Jovan has been documenting his community work on Instagram, with one video about the speed bumps garnering more than 260K views.

To see if he was as recognisable offline, Mei Gui showed his photo to people around the neighbourhood.

While some had no idea who he was, others recognised him from social media, with one teen describing his posts as “very wholesome”.

Jovan's childhood friend of 16 years also revealed that he had always been passionate about helping others.

“So when I saw him actually online serving, I just thought to myself, yes, that's the Jovan I know,” Jovan's friend shared.

Despite receiving plenty of encouragement, Jovan has also faced online ridicule, with some netizens mocking him for “cosplaying” as an MP.

He admitted the comments affected him and initially tried defending himself online. But he eventually realised there was little point.

“Regardless [of] how many times you clarify, those who don't believe will still not believe,” he said.

Some residents have also questioned whether someone so young had the right to get involved in community matters.

“Some residents say, 'This kind of thing, you cannot do one, you don't have rights',” he recalled.

Still, the criticism hadn't stopped him.

When asked what kept him going, he said: “Believe in myself.”

“As long as all the things I do are on the right track… I believe there is a path for me to go on [this] community journey to help and support residents,” he added.

After all, he couldn't just offer to help residents and then “halfway run away”.

And his efforts weren't limited to Boon Keng. He has also helped out in other communities, including Toa Payoh, Tampines and Lakeside.