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Online Citizen
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
MP Foo Cexiang proposes Tiong Bahru residents vote on colour scheme after purple flats backlash
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.
Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Tiong Bahru residents to vote on new colour scheme for blocks after purple was selected to reflect bougainvillea
Tiong Bahru residents to vote on new colour scheme for blocks after purple was selected to reflect bougainvillea Isabelle Liew The Straits Times May 17, 2025 Residents in 14 Housing Board blocks in Tiong Bahru will get to vote to decide what colour the buildings will be repainted. The buildings were initially set to undergo a purple makeover, which upset residents as they said their views were not sought. The exterior of one storey in Block 9A Boon Tiong Road had already been painted several shades of purple, including a dark plum which some residents said looked gaudy. On May 17, Tanjong Pagar GRC new MP Foo Cexiang took media questions for the first time since news of the incident broke on May 13. He said he has spoken to over 200 Boon Tiong Road residents over the last few days and will give them a choice over the colour. "It is also an opportunity to bring together residents and build a community," he said of the poll. But he has not decided when the poll, which will take place outside two residents' committee centres in Boon Tiong Road, will be held. Two options are confirmed: the purple-coloured theme, or maintain the current off-white and light orange shades with some modifications. There will be other colour options, but these have yet to be confirmed. Mr Foo, who oversees the Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru division of Tanjong Pagar GRC, also explained why purple was initially selected. "The purple colour scheme was not one that was selected without thought or heart," he said. Noting that residents had in 2015, as part of a community event, planted rows of purple-blossomed bougainvillea along Boon Tiong Road, he added: "The idea was to have a colour scheme that reflects the purple bougainvillea." The idea came from a discussion between Ms Indranee Rajah - who was previously adviser to Tanjong Pagar GRC Grassroots Organisations - as well as residents and architects, he added. Ms Indranee was MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC from 2001 to 2025 before moving to anchor the PAP's team in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, which won in the 2025 General Election. So far, the paint job has been completed for one block, 2A Boon Tiong Road, which sported shades of lilac. Another 11 blocks in Boon Tiong Road were set to undergo repainting, with gondolas set up and some external portions painted purple. The dark purple portion at Block 9A, which sparked concern among residents, was a mock-up and not the colour that the architect envisioned, he added. "We will not have that level of darkness for the proposed purple scheme," he said. Asked why voting was not done earlier, Mr Foo said that there is no protocol on how advisers should conduct the repainting process. Mr Foo said he had spoken to Ms Indranee about the incident. "She encouraged me to work with the residents and architects, and if there are changes that should be made, to please do so," he said. Mr Foo said he hopes to minimise any delays. It will take around three to four weeks to start painting after the colour scheme is chosen. Click here to contribute a story or submit it to our WhatsApp Get more of Stomp's latest updates by following us on:
AsiaOne
18-05-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Tiong Bahru residents to vote on colour scheme over purple backlash; MP Foo Cexiang urges 'patience', Singapore News
Following complaints about the exterior of their HDB flats being painted purple, residents of 14 blocks in Tiong Bahru will have the chance to vote on a new colour scheme. In a Facebook post on May 18, newly minted Member of Parliament (MP) Foo Cexiang said more than 200 residents joined the townhall sessions held at the Block 4B and 10A Residents' Committees Centres on May 16 and 17. He shared that the original design was inspired by the purple-blossomed bougainvillea that the community had planted years ago. "Some of you told me that having learnt this, you can better appreciate the design," said Foo, who oversees the Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru division of Tanjong Pagar GRC. "I want to build on this with all of you - to strengthen our community spirit and togetherness in Boon Tiong. I will start by taking onboard your feedback and very helpful suggestions." Foo said a poll will be held for all Boon Tiong households to vote for the colour scheme, and notices will be posted in the HDB blocks' lifts to let residents know when voting begins. "In designing the scheme options, we will incorporate several suggestions which were discussed during the townhalls - including to make refinements to the schemes. "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 posted. Foo also said that they will do their best to minimise any disamenities during the works. 'Most saturated and awful purple' Prior to this, the blocks had been painted a neutral, off-white colour. A few days ago, a sign had been put up at blocks 9A and 9B Boon Tiong Road saying that the flats were about to be painted in "the most saturated and awful purple". The resident who posted the sign said they had allegedly called the town council and were told that there was no voting process on the decision and it was decided by a third party contractor. They urged other residents to call Foo or the town council to sound out on the matter. Some residents have since used markers to write their thoughts on the sign, with one saying they "liked the colour" and in response, another wrote: "Are you colourblind?" During a weekend visit to Boon Tiong Road, AsiaOne observed that the paintwork for Block 2A had already been completed. Some portions of blocks including 6B and 8A had also been painted various shades of purple. Notices regarding the upcoming poll were found pasted in the lift and on notice boards in the void deck. The gondolas set up for the painting work have been left idle at the base of the blocks for several days. [[nid:692566]] melissateo@
New Paper
17-05-2025
- Politics
- New Paper
Tiong Bahru residents to vote on colour scheme after complaints over purple makeover
Residents in 14 Housing Board blocks in Tiong Bahru will get to vote to decide what colour the buildings will be repainted. The buildings were initially set to undergo a purple makeover, which upset residents as they said their views were not sought. The exterior of one storey in Block 9A Boon Tiong Road had already been painted several shades of purple, including a dark plum which some residents said looked gaudy. On May 17, Tanjong Pagar GRC new MP Foo Cexiang took media questions for the first time since news of the incident broke on May 13. He said he has spoken to over 200 Boon Tiong Road residents over the last few days and will give them a choice over the colour. "It is also an opportunity to bring together residents and build a community," he said of the poll. But he has not decided when the poll, which will take place outside two residents' committee centres in Boon Tiong Road, will be held. Two options are confirmed: the purple-coloured theme, or maintain the current off-white and light orange shades with some modifications. There will be other colour options, but these have yet to be confirmed. Mr Foo, who oversees the Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru division of Tanjong Pagar GRC, also explained why purple was initially selected. "The purple colour scheme was not one that was selected without thought or heart," he said. Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Foo Cexiang taking media questions on May 17. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Noting that residents had in 2015, as part of a community event, planted rows of purple-blossomed bougainvillea along Boon Tiong Road, he added: "The idea was to have a colour scheme that reflects the purple bougainvillea." The idea came from a discussion between Ms Indranee Rajah - who was previously adviser to Tanjong Pagar GRC Grassroots Organisations - as well as residents and architects, he added. Ms Indranee was MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC from 2001 to 2025 before moving to anchor the PAP's team in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, which won in the 2025 General Election. So far, the paint job has been completed for one block, 2A Boon Tiong Road, which sported shades of lilac. Another 11 blocks in Boon Tiong Road were set to undergo repainting, with gondolas set up and some external portions painted purple. The dark purple portion at Block 9A, which sparked concern among residents, was a mock-up and not the colour that the architect envisioned, he added. "We will not have that level of darkness for the proposed purple scheme," he said. Asked why voting was not done earlier, Mr Foo said that there is no protocol on how advisers should conduct the repainting process. Mr Foo said he had spoken to Ms Indranee about the incident. "She encouraged me to work with the residents and architects, and if there are changes that should be made, to please do so," he said. Mr Foo said he hopes to minimise any delays. It will take around three to four weeks to start painting after the colour scheme is chosen.
Straits Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Tiong Bahru residents to vote on colour scheme after complaints over purple makeover
Tiong Bahru residents to vote on colour scheme after complaints over purple makeover SINGAPORE - Residents in 14 Housing Board blocks in Tiong Bahru will get to vote to decide what colour the buildings will be repainted. The buildings were initially set to undergo a purple makeover, which upset residents as they said their views were not sought. The exterior of one storey in Block 9A Boon Tiong Road had already been painted several shades of purple, including a dark plum which some residents said looked gaudy. On May 17, Tanjong Pagar GRC new MP Foo Cexiang took media questions for the first time since news of the incident broke on May 13. He said he has spoken to over 200 Boon Tiong Road residents over the last few days and will give them a choice over the colour. 'It is also an opportunity to bring together residents and build a community,' he said of the poll. But he has not decided when the poll, which will take place outside two RC centres in Boon Tiong Road, will be held. Two options are confirmed: the purple-coloured theme, or maintain the current off-white and light orange shades with some modifications. There will be other colour options, but these have yet to be confirmed. Mr Foo, who oversees the Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru division of Tanjong Pagar GRC, also explained why purple was initially selected. 'The purple colour scheme was not one that was selected without thought or heart,' he said. Noting that residents had in 2015, as part of a community event, planted rows of purple-blossomed bougainvillea along Boon Tiong Road, he added: 'The idea was to have a colour scheme that reflects the purple bougainvillea.' The idea came from a discussion between Ms Indranee Rajah - who was previously adviser to Tanjong Pagar GRC Grassroots Organisations - as well as residents and architects, he added. Ms Indranee was MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC from 2001 to 2025 before moving to anchor the PAP's team in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, which won in the 2025 General Election. So far, the paint job has been completed for one block, 2A Boon Tiong Road, which sported shades of lilac. Another 11 blocks in Boon Tiong Road were set to undergo repainting, with gondolas set up and some external portions painted purple. The dark purple portion at Block 9A, which sparked concern among residents, was a mock-up and not the colour that the architect envisioned, he added. 'We will not have that level of darkness for the proposed purple scheme,' he said. Asked why voting was not done earlier, Mr Foo said that there is no protocol on how advisers should conduct the repainting process. Mr Foo said he had spoken to Ms Indranee about the incident. 'She encouraged me to work with the residents and architects, and if there are changes that should be made, to please do so,' he said. Mr Foo said he hopes to minimise any delays. It will take around three to four weeks to start painting after the colour scheme is chosen. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
