GE2025: Hougang belongs to residents, not to WP, says PAP’s Marshall Lim

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SINGAPORE - Despite its years as a WP stronghold, Hougang does not belong to the party, but to its residents, said PAP candidate for Hougang SMC Marshall Lim.

Speaking at his first-ever rally on April 30, he said he respected Hougang’s history but pointed out that the slate is wiped clean every five years.

“You get a chance to decide what the future holds, and candidates like me get a chance to convince you that we deserve to be a part of the future,” he said.

Speaking to supporters during the rally at Anderson Serangoon Junior College, Mr Lim said that voters are not just choosing between two candidates or political parties, but two visions of Hougang, one rooted along “old lines”, and one where unity is the foundation.

“So, when you go to the polls on Saturday, remember that Hougang does not belong to the Workers’ Party, no matter what they say, and no matter how many documentaries they produce about it. Hougang belongs to you,” said Mr Lim, who took the stage at about 8.30pm.

The 38-year-old criminal lawyer is running against the WP’s Mr Dennis Tan, who is the incumbent MP there.

In the 2020 election, Mr Tan secured 61.21 per cent of the vote, beating the PAP’s Mr Lee Hong Chuang. The constituency has been in WP’s hands since former party chief Low Thia Kiang won it in 1991.

During the rally, Mr Lim, who is contesting an election for the first time, addressed the WP’s claim that Hougang residents have been “penalised” for voting for the opposition party.

On April 24, WP chief Pritam Singh said in a rally speech that Hougang residents voted for WP in the past and had their wet market and bus routes taken away as a result.

Mr Lim said: “That is the narrative that the Workers’ Party has repeated, time and again. And don’t get me wrong, I understand why it strikes a chord.

“But I am standing here today to tell you, that was then and this is now.”

He also responded to Mr Singh’s remark that he had borrowed Hougang’s fighting spirit so that he could

label himself a “fighter”

.

“But the truth is – the fighting spirit has always been within me. I have always believed in people, sometimes when no one else will believe in them.”

He cited his experience as a criminal lawyer, where he has fought for clients with

mental illnesses and special needs

.

“I fought because I believe every single person matters.

“And I will do the same for you. Being a fighter isn’t about how loud you shout or who you oppose. It is about having the strength to stand up for what is right and the heart to bring people together.”

Although Hougang residents care deeply about each other and their homes, politics has begun to test this care, said Mr Lim.

He brought up an incident where one of his volunteers was spat at twice while giving out cards outside Hougang MRT station.

“Now, I firmly believe that moment does not define Hougang, or anyone of us here tonight,” said Mr Lim.

“But I will not pretend that it did not disappoint me.

“(The incident) is a sobering reminder of just how far we have drifted from the kind of politics we deserve... Politics should not come at the expense of community, because Hougang is more than a symbol. First and foremost, Hougang is our home. And a home must be built on kindness, not division.”

Mr Lim also shared some of his plans to improve the estate, if elected.

These include pushing for more transport routes to Hougang Central and Kovan, expanding programmes to help low-income families, and keeping housing estates clean and well-maintained.

Beyond municipal matters, Mr Lim said that he will ask tough questions in Parliament and “push for real changes”.

“Because at the heart of my politics is care – care for each other, care for our community, care for our future,” he said.

“Hougang deserves to move forward, not to be held back by the weight of past politics. Let us turn the page, let us build something better, together.”