In 2001, Penny assumed her role as an elected Member of Parliament in Singapore, and was entrusted with the leadership of the Punggol constituency, a region that, at the time, was a remote village in Singapore, lacking adequate public transport and infrastructure. Her inauguration into office was met with a barrage of "love letters" from concerned residents, which were, in reality, protest letters.

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Penny transformed this challenge into an opportunity, through her vision to transform Punggol into a world-class eco-town cum digital town, a beloved neighborhood for all residents. This vision served as a unifying force, rallying the community to come together in the endeavor to co-design and co-create their own desired township and legacy.  Under Penny's steadfast leadership, Punggol emerged as the first eco-town and digital town not only in Singapore but also in the Tropics. Over the years, Punggol garnered numerous international awards, establishing itself as a model and the largest township in Singapore.

 

The population burgeoned from a modest 10,000 to 200,000 residents, and the region received dignitaries and officials from governments worldwide who came to study its exemplary eco-town model. Penny's commitment to excellence is shown in her tireless efforts changing Punggol's blueprint three times, having also laid the groundwork for its development into the first digital and enterprise district, aimed at generating 28,000 new jobs in Singapore.

 

Punggol has positioned itself as a hub for innovation, allowing its residents to leverage its open data for research and business value creation. Penny has pioneered numerous eco-friendly initiatives in Punggol, creating innovations in housing, water infrastructure, urban design, transportation, smart technologies and greening. The culmination of her endeavors has given rise to a sustainable, vibrant, smart, and ecologically sound township. With a spirit of innovation for good, Penny has positioned Punggol to serve as a 'living laboratory' for new ideas and technologies promoting sustainable development. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when innovative thinking and a commitment to the greater good converge to create a thriving community and a beacon of progress and inspiration.