One Last Thank You

On the 8th of May, I came down to Potong Pasir to take meet people from Singapore People's Party's Facebook group to walk around the area and take some photographs before the town changes for good.

Soon after, I went to Blk 121 where the Town Council was where we waited for Mr. and Mrs. Chiam.

I really don't know what to type anymore.The sadness is overwhelming. Let the pictures do the talking.

 

I know that it is highly possible that the petition for a by-election will not go through. Just let them try, no harm giving it a try. At least they tried. 

The End of An Era?

I was there at Block 136 Potong Pasir Ave 1 on Saturday night itself when the results were being announced. Although I felt unwell, I felt that I had to go. This is the town of my hero, I want to be there to celebrate his or rather, his wife's win. I already knew that he had lost Bishan-Toa Payoh to Wong Kan Seng, I wanted to be there to show support.

I reached there at about 2.15am, after I have fed my girl and made sure that she will not be up until I'm back. As I was walking towards the coffeeshop, I can see people gathering and the results are being announced. Sadly, Mrs Chiam had lost Potong Pasir to Seetoh by a slight margin of 0.7% which is about 110 votes! The crowd started jeering at Seetoh and then they cheered for Mr Chiam. All you can hear is, "Potong Pasir, Chiam See Tong!"

We waited for the Singapore People's Party to make their way back to Potong Pasir. As they arrived, people crowded around their lorry and cheered for them. Shouts of, "Kelong" can be heard as they do not accept the fact. A man who has done his all for Potong Pasir for 27 years, one cannot believe he would be let down like that.

Mr. Chiam sat in the front passenger seat of the lorry quietly with his daughter while Mrs. Chiam addressed the media and the crowd. I walked to the front and his window was winded down, giving me a chance to shake his hand and I told him my whole family voted for him and we loved him. I couldn't help but start tearing at the moment. He was so quiet, you can feel how heartbroken he was. Even as I'm typing this, tears come to my eyes when I think of what I saw that night. 

Look at the crowd!

The atmosphere was electrifying! Everyone was shouting for Chiam See Tong and Lina Chiam. None of us can believe that they had lost their stronghold of Potong Pasir. After 27 years, is this how they repaid Mr. Chiam for his effort? Sighs. I have friends who live in Potong Pasir and she asked me why should she vote for Potong Pasir when the place is so run down and that there is no facilities. I guess the carrot dangled to Potong Pasir has finally worked. However, I proceeded to explain to her what Mr. Chiam has done for Potong Pasir and the obstacles that he met. Another apathetic youth who only cares for upgrading. Sighs. 

A Potong Pasir resident, Vas, decided that she is not going to take this without a fight and decided to ask the residents to gather at Blk 108 Potong Pasir on 8th May, 4pm to sign a petition so as to get a by election, a re-vote and so I decided that I will go down on the 8th to support the petition.

I stayed until Mrs.Chiam left at about 4am before making my way home with tears in my eyes. 

Democracy by Langston Huges

Democracy will not come
Today, this year
Nor ever
Through compromise and fear.

I have as much right 
As the other fellow has
To stand
On my two feet 
And own the land.

I tire so of hearing people say, 
Let things take their course.
Tomorrow is another day.
I do not need my freedom when I'm dead.
I cannot live on tomorrow's bread.

Freedom
Is a strong seed
Planted
In a great need.

I live here, too.
I want freedom
Just as you. 

I am a Polling Agent!

Yesterday, I went down to Blk 108 Potong Pasir where we, volunteers for Singapore People's Party, were gathered for a briefing and registration to become Polling Agents for the upcoming General Elections.


This is the void deck where Mr. Chiam See Tong conducts his Meet-The-People sessions. This is my first time stepping into Potong Pasir. Is Potong Pasir a slum? Definitely not!

I also saw for myself, the infamous place where Mr. Chiam held his weekly Meet-the-People sessions

It makes one wonder why is he treated with such prejudice. Especially in a country like Singapore. Isn't our government supposed to be uncorrupted? Then why is he denied the fundings and the chance to build a proper office? They say a picture paints a thousand words, I am no professional photographer but can you feel the pain I feel?

This is where the residents wait for their turn to meet Mr. Chiam

“I make no apologies that the PAP is the Government and the Government is the PAP.”
- Lee Kuan Yew, Petir, 1982




I don't know about you but the above statement makes me feel that they are a big bully, that they are very certain that they are above all. Is this really what democracy is about? Sighs.


Lets end this post on a lighter note.


Singapore People's Party is still on the lookout for more Polling Agents and Counting Agents to join them. Do spread the word to your friends, better still volunteer yourself! There will be 2 shifts, either 8am to 2pm or 2pm to 8pm at a polling both (you can choose which one) on May 7 itself. Please email Chee Peng  with the following details:-


Name (as in NRIC)
NRIC No
Date of issue of NRIC
Mobile Number
E-mail address
Residential Address (to aid assignment of polling agents)


I do hope that this General Election will be the turning point for Singapore. Majulah Singapura!