We’re happy with the way things are: Hougang residents
Yahoo! Singapore dives into the heartlands to find out first-hand what the key issues will be during the General Elections. In the first of a five-part series of video reports, reporter Jeanette Tan ventures into the Hougang ward to speak to voters and determine the political sentiment on the ground.
Tucked inconspicuously close to the top of the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) boundary is Hougang, a small Single-Member Constituency (SMC) with slightly more than 24,500 voters.
First demarcated in 1988, it was held for three years by People's Action Party (PAP) member Tang Guan Seng until he was toppled by a 2.8% majority vote in the 1991 General Election, losing the seat to Workers' Party (WP) secretary-general Low Thia Khiang.
Mr Low has maintained the seat in every election since, winning the residents of Hougang over by his ability to work the ground and to relate closely to them and their concerns.
"I do believe he is working very hard to obtain things for us," says 27-year-old IT executive Tim Mao, who has lived in Hougang all his life and only remembers ever being under Mr Low.
"He has been fighting for us for many years for lift upgrading… he has been capable," he added.
His increasing margin of victory at the polls has reflected this view, with the WP winning a record 62.7% of the votes against the PAP in the 2006 election.
Being under the opposition as long as they have, however, the residents of Hougang SMC are still concerned about outstanding development and upgrading issues.
Bread-and-butter issues such as Medisave benefits amid rising healthcare costs, cash payouts and inflation are also high on their list .
Infrastructure-wise, residents also hope to see more sheltered walkways and lifts that stop at every floor, particularly for the benefit of the elderly.
Watch the residents of Hougang voice their concerns to Yahoo! Singapore.
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