Entering Potong Pasir, My Kind of Town

Regardless, of which party you voted for, I encourage all Singaporeans to get your picture taken at the “Welcome to Potong Pasir” signboard with Mr Chiam See Tong‘s smiling face within the next few days.

The signboard is located at the entrance of Potong Pasir Ave 1, turning in from Upper Serangoon Road. If you are taking public transport, take bus 142 from Toa Payoh Interchange or alight at Potong Pasir MRT station and walk there:

Direction to the signboard

The picture will make a nice memento of Singaporeans’ political awakening this election.

I do not know when our new MP, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin will get the signboard replaced or demolished, but I feel that the signboard is a symbol of Mr Chiam’s 27 years legacy in Potong Pasir with the residents. It will be a shame to see it go, but it would be unfair to our new MP to keep it either.

I had mine taken, together with a group of childhood friends who grew up together in the area earlier this afternoon:

Proud to be a Potong Pasir resident
Cheese!
Many others came to take their pictures by the signboard too
Another couple taking pictures

We have not met up for some time, but such was the strong bond of being a resident in Potong Pasir that we were able to organise an impromptus photo-taking gathering within an hour.

There was a thank you parade from the SPP team, scheduled from 4pm. I headed there with my friends, bumping into many other old friends and neighbours along the way.

Emotions were running high. Many people, both males and females, of all ages and races were tearing as we bid our goodbyes to the Chiams and the SPP team.

Residents flocked down their flats
Sad goodbye
Mr Chiam greeting supporters
A young boy shaking Mr Chiam's hand
Suppporters going up to Mr Chiam, one after another
Hoisting the SPP flag high
This boy was shouting his lungs out for Chiam See Tong
Political awareness starts young here
The SPP lorry sets off for the thank you parade
A family of ardent supporters
Supporters, young and old
Mr Chiam waving his thanks
Supporters and well-wishers flocking to shake Lina's hands
Thumbs up for Lina Chiam
"Don't cry"

“Don’t cry, we will be back. Please listen to your new MP while I am not here,” urged Lina Chiam to many visibly upset and shaken residents as they shook her hands.

No one was forced or paid to line the streets to welcome the SPP
Lina Chiam waving to supporters
Some watched from their flat windows
Everyone whipping out their cameras as the SPP team arrives
Many drove by to follow the SPP lorry as they embark on the parade
Mr and Mrs Chiam See Tong
One of many ordinary Singaporeans seen tearing as the SPP team past by
Another lady, touched by the Chiams
Little boy crying

There were many others like me and my friends prowling around the small town of Potong Pasir today, armed with their cameras and video-cams. Some could have been residents, others may have come from other parts of Singapore, either way, I am happy the awareness level for Potong Pasir has gone up.

If you bother to walk around Potong Pasir, the myth that we are a ”slum” will quickly be dispelled. Do these photos below look like a slum estate to you:

Our town centre - no NTUC FairPrice, but there are many mom and pop shops
Looks like slum or not?
Your Town, Your Voice, Your Pride!
Again... slum?
I remember it was a big deal in Potong Pasir when the first McDonald's outlet arrived here
Children's playground
Spiderweb
Elderly corner
Potong Pasir Town Council
Accounting for what the Town Council spent on
Lots of greenery in the estate
More nice greenery, planted by residents
Town Council noticeboard
Residents' memories

Potong Pasir has a lot of hearts. That why the slogan, “Potong Pasir, My Kind of Town” resonates so well with many of us here.

I am and always will be proud to be a Potong Pasir resident.

Technorati Tags: potong pasir, singapore general elections, ge 2011, lina chiam, spp, singapore people’s party, chiam see tong, mr and mrs chiam see tong, singapore general elections 2011, sitoh yih pin, pap wins potong pasir, spp loses potong pasir, potong pasir residents, spirit of potong pasir, potong pasir signboard, potong pasir chiam see tong signboard, welcome to potong pasir signboard, potong pasir my kind of town, direction to potong pasir chiam see tong signboard, how to get to potong pasir chiam see tong signboard, take picture with chiam see tong signboard

alvinology

Alvin is a marketer by day and blogger by night. He is a 100% geek who spends too much time surfing the web.

View Comments

  • I think I saw you and your friends this afternoon.
    I also went around to take some photos of Potong Pasir for my memories. :)

  • Thank you for sharing the pictures, of a little town that people may have called "slum". It is full of heart, and hope everybody there continues with the Potong Pasir spirit of friendship and community.

  • This made me cry buckets even though I may not be a Potong Pasir resident, but it fills with so much love and gratitude that this man must be such a hero, with a character of steel to command this level of respect, almost unseen in Singapore.

  • I've never been to Potong Pasir but it looks lovely and wonderfully nostalgic. All thanks to the people who seem to be immensely caring, just like Mr Chiam..a leader who walks behind the people and serves them unconditionally.

  • Thank you for sharing this! I don't live in Potong Pasir but the Chiams' devotion to this little corner of Singapore became so clear to me at the SPP rallies. Thank you for this post showing Singapore the real potong pasir.

  • I saw you and your friends today while we are waiting outside the CC!

    I am, always always always, a proud Potong Pasir resident. My kind of town!!!

    Thanks for those great pics!

  • Nice post. I'm 22yo man and you had my tears swelling.

    I was there when Mr Chiam held his rally at Bishan. I will never forget the moment everyone stood up when he got onto the stage. His absence is PP's loss.

    Sir, please hv some time for yourself. You deserved a graceful retirement. May god bless your soul.

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