Template:SG neighbourhood Potong Pasir is an area located between Toa Payoh and Sennett Estate in the Central Region of Singapore. For urban planning purposes, it is classified under the Toa Payoh area. Potong Pasir is particularly notable for being the longest-held opposition ward in a one-party dominant Singapore. Its Opposition Member of Parliament Chiam See Tong has held the ward since 1984.
History
From 1910 to 1937, it was dominated by sand-quarries, hence giving it its present name, which means 'cut sand' in Malay. These mining activities created four ponds linked to the Kallang River, although they were reduced to two due to massive flooding in 1968. The ponds provided a good source of food for the local village folk, until pollution set in later.
In the mid 1950s, Potong Pasir was one of the most important vegetable growing area was where the land had been cultivated since 1830s. The farmers there were almost all Cantonese and they used traditional methods with great success.
Leafy vegetables were grown on farms located in lowland areas such as Potong Pasir, Changi, Ponggol, and Sembawang. Watercress was the most important type of vegetable grown in Potong Pasir. Small portion of farmland was used for planting coconut palms.
Vegetable farming in Singapore was a family business. Farmers of Potong Pasir lived in attap houses, in zinc roof and semi-concrete houses. The general condition of the rural roads was poor. Most farmers in the area leased their land from the Government.
During this period of early years, Potong Pasir was also a victim of the regular foods. Villagers will then take refuge in St Andrew's School which is on the Woodsville Hill as St Andrew's School will open up its 2 school halls to house these villagers.
Rapid change took place for the past five decades, with the building of a bridge across the ponds in the 1950s, a venue for education introduced in the form of a village community centre in 1952, piped water and electricity in the 1960s, and by the 1970s, most of the villagers have already started to move out as the land gets acquired by the government for massive redevelopment.
Hence, a public housing estate, Potong Pasir Estate, began to take shape in the 1980s, with construction commencing in 1982, and the first blocks completed two years later. The sloping roof of some blocks became the most recognisable icon of Potong Pasir.
Political history
- Main article: Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency
Potong Pasir is currently managed by Singapore's longest serving opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Chiam See Tong, from the Singapore People's Party, which is part of the Singapore Democratic Alliance, which is made up of four opposition parties.
Elections in Potong Pasir has always been hotly contested as the People's Action Party (PAP) seeks to unseat Chiam. The current PAP candidate, Sitoh Yi Pin, has much support from the party, although the last PAP candidate, Andy Gan, failed in his bid to wrangle Potong Pasir from Chiam in the general election in 1997, even with the support PAP gave him.
In the 2006 General Elections, the PAP promised extensive upgrading for Potong Pasir estate shall Sitoh Yi Pin get elected as MP for the seat of Potong Pasir. However, Chiam again won for the 6th consecutive term the single member seat of Potong Pasir. This time by an even bigger margin than in the 2001 General Election.
Potong Pasir's Residents
Also known as the "Villagers" of Potong Pasir, the people of Potong Pasir are a rather close-knit lot. Unlike people from other estate in Singapore, the villagers are really friendly people and everyone knows one another. Fiercely loyal to Mr. Chiam See Tong, Potong Pasir's MP - cum - "Village Chief" they show up at every event which he and his Party(SPP) organise for the residents. Although most of the residents are from the middle income group, they are very happy with their way of life and are very proud of the Village. Many had stayed at Potong Pasir all their lives and would not move out even if they could easily get a bigger flat elsewhere. Also, there is an ongoing rivary between the residents of Potong Pasir and the residents of Sennett Estate who look down on the village (the Sennett residents are well-to do folks who live in Landed Properties).
Chiam See Tong
As the MP for Potong Pasir, Mr. Chiam is highly respected and well-loved by the Villagers. If you are lucky, you could spot him having lunch at his favourite kopitiam(coffeeshop) in the Village-Broadway. A humble and kindly elderly gentleman, Mr. Chiam (or Ah Chiam as he is fondly known as) dresses simply and drives a red Volkswagon beetle(which had been with him for more than 2 decades). He protrays a family man image and often mingle with the Villagers when he is free. He truly cares for the Village and the welfare of its people and is often speaking up in Parliament on behalf of the villagers if their welfare is being compromised. He is very approachable and sincere and that is a major factor for his undefeated position as Potong Pasir's MP. Mr. Chiam is also good friends with Workers Party's Chief, Low Thia Kiang. So popular was Mr. Chiam that he even got a Friendster account( http://www.friendster.com/28511416 )! It was either Mr Chiam's personal account or a fan account created by one of his supporters. Althought LKY is no doubt the "Father of Singapore", one can safely claim that Chiam See Tong is the "Father of Potong Pasir"!
Old World Charm
Ironically, it is due to the delayed upgrading schemes which allowed Potong Pasir to look like it is a scene from Singapore in the 1980s. Take a walk in the Village and you will find that it is a very clean and peaceful estate. Due to it being located away from busy roads, the air is constanly fresh and contain minimal pollutants from vehicle exhausts. Playgrounds from old Singapore could be found at certain blocks and a "rope Pyramid" could be scaled by children and the young at heart right beside the community centre. The community centre had recently housed a new KFC restaurant. The mouth watering aroma of fried chicken was so strong that it could be smelt from as far as the MRT station's entrance. At the entrance of the slip road leading into Potong Pasir, a huge billboard of Mr. Chiam could be spotted welcoming people into the Village. At the road nearest to Toa Payoh, where a few old blocks are located, you could often see old folks walking about in the evenings, enjoying the cool breeze or having a cup of coffee at the old fashioned kopitiams. "Mama Shops" throughout the village will easily satisfy your cravings for a snack from the 1990s. If you are a chicken rice lover, you will be pleased to know that the shop opposite the Community Centre serves one of the best chicken rice in Singapore. Every Thursday night,Block 108 void deck's will be packed with Potong Pasir's residents. They are there to meet Mr. Chiam for the weekly "Meet the People Session". Unlike MPs from other Constituency, Mr. Chiam was not provided with a proper office for these sessions. As a result, he had to make do with using a metal sheet to create a makeshift cubicle to talk to the residents privately. His workers and volunteers could be seen doing paper work and answering phone calls (the phone is connected to a telephone line at the void deck) at the void deck. Despite the small and underfurbished "office", Mr. Chiam is vey warm towards each resident and would do his best to see to their complaints and suggestions.
