For 18 years, half the state’s independence history, its roughly 16,600 residents have repeatedly voted into parliament opposition lawyer Chiam See Tong despite great personal sacrifices.

They are without many facilities that most government-run estates get, like glittering shopping malls, cineplexes or new condominiums.

There are no Post Office Savings Bank (now taken over by DBS Bank) branches and Singapore Post outlets were shut a few years ago.

Worse still, its old, run-down blocks have so far not been upgraded.

Also hit is education. Generally, kindergartens are a private matter, not provided by the state, and the majority (and best) are run by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).

Years ago, after failing to regain Potong Pasir, the PAP shut them down and, since then, parents had to send their children to kindergartens in other areas.

The change of mind was announced by Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong, who said it was made on economic grounds and had nothing to do with politics.

A review by the Land Transport Authorities on projected “ridership” had found it viable to have the station at Potong Pasir, he said. What’s more, the name will not be changed – as announced – to “Sennett.”

The authorities had said earlier there was insufficient traffic to justify stopping there.

The about-turn comes five months after the general election in which the well-liked opposition leader, Chiam, 66, was re-elected for a fourth term but with a reduced majority.

He defeated PAP’s Sitoh Yih Pin by 751 votes (8107 to 7356) compared to a 1814-vote margin in 1997.

Town councils led by MPs manage Singapore’s HDB estates, where 85 percent of the people live.

Only two wards are in opposition hands. The other is the Hougang Constituency of Workers’ Party leader Low Thia Khiang. Generally, they do not have the PAP’s resources.

The biggest controversy surrounds the S$10bil HDB scheme to refurbish HDB estates over 10 years. The older blocks are upgraded first.

Residents pay 25 percent to 30 percent of the costs (roughly S$45,000 to S$60,000) for the improvements, which turn flats and buildings into a modern property commanding a higher value.

The PAP says that all things being equal, the opposition estates will be the last to be selected because the scheme was its own initiative. However, it promises that eventually all estates will be refurbished over time.

The opposition, including Chiam, has said it is undemocratic for the government to use public funds to “punish voters who vote opposition.”

The whole system of estate management favours the large parties since they can draw on neighbouring wards for synergy and cost savings.

The ruling party says it is this inability that is giving a PAP candidate an edge over Chiam. After 18 years, Potong Pasir is feeling the paucity of support.

Chiam denies it, pointing the finger at government obstructions. In Singapore, the strong hand of government is everywhere.

There are no plans to open up the place for private investment. Chiam has no power to do that.

At one time he didn’t even have an office to hold his weekly “Meet The People” sessions.

The station has delighted the ageing opposition leader, who remains popular among HDB residents. He projects an acceptable moderate face acceptable to the PAP leaders.

But there are indications that he is losing support among the wealthier voters living in Sennett Estate’s landed properties.

The move to build a mass rapid transit station at the heart of Chiam’s kingdom is attributed to a feeling that Chiam will lose the next round in 2006 when he will be 70.

Many younger voters may not share their parents’ enthusiasm for the ageing lawyer and may opt for a young candidate then.

A political journalist remarked: “His winning margin is slipping. I think people are betting that he will be out in the next election. So why not let him have the station to further sweeten the ground?”

Besides, the PAP with its policy of replacing a quarter of Parliament with younger faces at every election has a winning formula.

Last November, it swept 82 of 84 seats, winning 75 percent of contested votes compared with 65 percent in the previous election.

Chiam appears unfazed by all this talk.

“It shows that things do get done in an opposition ward. It is a victory for common sense,” he said.

Former nominated MP Zulkifli Baharuddin said the move was in line with the gradual opening up of political space here.

Dr Ooi Giok Ling, senior research fellow from the Institute of Policy Studies, felt that the old tack of linking goodies with votes may no longer work.

The fact that votes for Chiam had been steadily dropping might have made the PAP more secure about relenting, said Dr Ooi.

Meanwhile, residents are glad to see the new east-west train stopping at their estate.

“It should improve the value of our property,” said a housewife. “Maybe now, it will bring in some new investments in the form of shopping malls, cinemas and supermarkets.”

But most of all, the residents would rather have an upgrading of their estate.

“Some buildings here are really old,” said one resident. “It’s taxpayers’ money and we are taxpayers. The government should not discriminate.”

But some shopkeepers are not keen to have the station.

“It will take the residents out to shop in supermarkets and malls elsewhere because of convenience,” one said ruefully.

Will the station increase the chance of a PAP victory? Maybe. Maybe not.

Issues may crop up. Some believe that the lifting of what the voters see as “the cane” may even help Chiam stay on another term, if he wants it.

PAP voters who feared not having the station may now swing back to him.

A new generation is taking hold in Singapore with ideas and values different from their parents.

Similarly changing are the PAP MPs. The leadership will increasingly move closer to reflect the voters’ aspirations without undermining basic fundamentals required for survival.

Gradually as they gel with the young voters, the new politics will be for more sound logic and persuasion, rather than laws that penalise opposition voters.

Seah Chiang Nee is a veteran journalist and editor of the information website littlespeck.com

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