HOUGANG constituency, which returned Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang to power in the recent elections, will not be getting the $100 million upgrading package that was offered to the residents during the elections anytime soon.
The $100 million package was seen as an incentive for the residents to vote for the People's Action Party candidate there, Mr Eric Low. But he lost to the incumbent opposition MP, Mr Low Thia Khiang, in the polls.
After the election, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said that Mr Low Thia Khiang could still ask for the money as the Government had been prepared to put up a budget for it.
But Mr Mah told The Sunday Times that since Mr Low lost, Hougang will not get the money.
He said: 'The upgrading package that was offered for Hougang was part of the PAP candidate's programme for residents in the estate.
'The residents there decided that they are not ready to say 'yes' to the package. We will respect their decision.'
The minister said that though 130 blocks in Potong Pasir and Hougang were eligible for upgrading, there were about 800 blocks in other parts of Singapore that are older or as old that had not been spruced up in any way.
He said: 'To honour our commitment to the electorate, the Government will accord priority to blocks in the PAP wards.'
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