yong became a people's association grassroots leader in 2002 when he joined the newly formed punggol cove residents’ committee (rc) as a member. he later became the rc chairman from 2005–2008 before stepping down to take on appointments in the punggol north citizens’ consultative committee (ccc). yong was the ccc’s treasurer (2008–2011) and secretary (2011–2015) between 2008–2015.