Workers' Party produces documentary exploring 'Hougang spirit' and the constituency's 'significance in S'pore politics'

SINGAPORE — The Workers’ Party (WP) marked the 65th anniversary of its founding on Thursday (Nov 3) by unveiling a trailer for a documentary about the history and people of Hougang, its electoral stronghold for more than three decades.

The film, called Hougang: The Documentary, "pays tribute to the people of Hougang and highlights an indelible part of Singapore history", WP said in a media release. The trailer went up on the opposition party's social media outlets including Facebook.

The full film is to be shown at public screenings in the next few months, WP said. Details will be announced later.

The political party, which was founded on Nov 3 in 1957, has held Hougang as a Single-Member Constituency since the 1991 General Election (GE).

The film is the party’s second documentary film after Walking with Singapore: Road to 2011, which was produced in commemoration of the party’s 60th anniversary in 2017.

The party also stated that it had done a short film on Hougang Town Council before 2011.

The trailer of the latest film contains historical images of Hougang and interview excerpts of past and present Hougang residents, former WP chief Low Thia Khiang, as well as historians and experts.

Mr Low first won Hougang constituency in 1991 and held it until 2011 when he moved to contest in Aljunied Group Representation Constituency. Hougang's current WP Member of Parliament is Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong.

In the film, the interviewees share their memories of the area growing up, as well as opinions on matters such as state-led redevelopment and relocation.

There are six chapters, starting from Teochew immigrants  from China moving to the Riau Islands (now part of Indonesia) and to Pulau Ubin before arriving at Hougang during the middle of the 18th century. 

“This film adopts a stronger focus on Hougang and its people and community, while exploring what makes the Hougang spirit special, as well as its significance in Singapore politics over the years,” the party said.

It added that the full film is planned to be shown at public screenings in the next few months, though it has yet to give more details.

Mr Leon Perera, the party’s media chair, said that in many ways, the Hougang story is synonymous with the Singapore story.

“There is something special about the 'Hougang spirit', a courage to stand up for your beliefs, a responsibility towards the less fortunate, a quiet resilience, a can-do attitude, the kampung spirit,” he added. 

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article misspelt Mr Low Thia Khiang's name. It also suggested that he first won the Hougang seat in 2001. This is incorrect. Mr Low first won the Hougang seat in 1991 and held it until 2011, when he moved to Aljunied Group Representation Constituency. We are sorry for the errors.