Hougang has been the Workers' Party (WP)'s stronghold for the past 29 years after former WP secretary-general Low Thia Khiang won the seat in 1991.
Here's one of the most iconic block in Hougang at Avenue 7, with a symbolic rainbow painted across the block.
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
Such large and colourful murals on HDB blocks are hard to come by these days. Rainbows are apparently a popular design for blocks in the east of Singapore in the past.
While the estates in Hougang SMC do not have fancy malls or modern facades, one resident told us that he is satisfied with WP's management of the town so far.
"I’ve lived here for 40 years and I’ve been supporting the Workers' Party for the last 30 years. The Workers’ Party has done a good job what, the sheltered walkways are also very good, there is also repainting. The Workers' Party has a pretty good job at managing the town council, they put their heart into it. The way they manage is already very good, I've nothing to pick on."
After winning the seat in Hougang in 1991, Low has since defended his seat three times (1997, 2001, and 2006).
The ward was then taken over by fellow WP member Yaw Shin Leong in 2011, and subsequently, Png Eng Huat, in the 2012 by-election triggered by Yaw's expulsion from the party over personal indiscretions.
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
This election, WP's Dennis Tan will attempt to defend Hougang SMC, Singapore's longest opposition-held ward and WP stronghold. If he succeeds, it will be the party's seventh term with that seat.
Tan has been walking the ground with Png for the past three years and therefore he is definitely not a stranger to the residents.
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
Tan's predecessor, Png, has also been spotted with him on some days despite not contesting in this election.
Photo by Andrew Koay.
Photo by Andrew Koay.
Photo by Andrew Koay.
Here's a supporter holding onto WP's flag.
Together with his friends, they bought a box full of WP merchandise and intend to distribute the items such as flags and caps to the people at Blk 322 coffeeshop on Polling Day night.
In one of Tan's latest Facebook posts, he calls Blk 322 "the unofficial, de-facto home ground of WP residents and supporters".
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
When asked about the likelihood of an opposition wipe-out amid the pandemic, a resident in Hougang replied in Mandarin: "I don’t know about this. The ball is round, where it is going is still uncertain. But I know who I’m voting for."
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
Another resident shared his unwavering support for WP:
"Hougang belongs to the Workers' Party what, I’ve been supporting them for the past 29 years. It’s easier to apply stuff and do things with the Workers' Party sometimes. People living in Hougang do not fear death, we are the most courageous ones, we’ve supported them for 29 years. We are like cockroaches, won’t die so easily."
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
The photographer took almost two hours to find these units which have hammers hung on their gate in support of WP.
One of the house owners told the photographer that most of the people in the block are supportive of WP, only two units are not.
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
The Hougang spirit is indeed like no other.
Top photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.