MP Foo Cexiang proposes Tiong Bahru residents vote on colour scheme after purple flats backlash

Online Citizen​

19-05-2025

SINGAPORE: Residents in Tiong Bahru will soon get the chance to vote on the colour scheme of their HDB blocks, following public backlash over an unpopular purple paint job that halted repainting works along Boon Tiong Road.
Newly elected Tanjong Pagar GRC Member of Parliament Foo Cexiang announced that all Boon Tiong households will be polled after concerns were raised about the use of dark plum hues on Block 9A.
The repainting works, which were part of a broader project involving 14 blocks, were paused after residents criticised the colour and questioned the lack of consultation.
According to Chinese media outlet 8World News, protest signs were seen at Blocks 9A and 9B, with messages calling the colour 'the most saturated and awful purple' and questioning the legitimacy of the decision-making process.
Some residents alleged that no vote had taken place before the works began. Several individuals who contacted the Town Council said they were informed that no voting process had been conducted.
Typically, repainting projects for HDB flats involve residents choosing from a set of proposed colour schemes, with voting overseen by the Town Council or Residents' Network.
The apparent bypassing of this process drew attention online, with netizens discussing both the controversial colour and the lack of public engagement.
In a Facebook post on 10 May, Foo responded to the growing discontent, acknowledging the feedback and promising to investigate the issue.
He confirmed that he had requested repainting works to be paused while the matter was reviewed.
'Several of you have written to me on the painting of your blocks. I am looking into this urgently — to understand the context and also plan the steps ahead, including to engage you,' he wrote.
Poll to Be Held, Options to Be Refined
Foo later met with over 200 residents to address their concerns.
In an update posted on 17 May, he announced that a poll would be conducted to determine the preferred colour scheme, although the exact date has yet to be confirmed.
'My team and I will take a bit of time over the next few days to refine the options. I seek your patience and understanding,' he said.
'We will post notices in your lifts to let you know when voting begins.
We will also have clear communication to all of you ahead of the works, and will do our best to minimise disamenities during the works.'
According to The Straits Times, residents will be able to choose between the current purple concept and an alternative off-white and orange palette.
More options may be added based on additional feedback.
Foo explained that the original purple scheme was inspired by bougainvillaea flowers lining Boon Tiong Road, planted as part of a 2015 community initiative.
The concept was developed in consultation with architects and former MP Indranee Rajah.
While Block 2A has already been painted in lighter lilac tones, Foo clarified that the dark purple seen on Block 9A was merely a mock-up and not part of the final design.
He also acknowledged the absence of a formal process for colour selection in HDB projects and said that after consulting Indranee, he was advised to work closely with both residents and architects to make adjustments if necessary.
Repainting works are expected to resume within a month after residents have cast their votes and a final colour scheme is selected.