The Potong Pasir Town is a housing estate found between Sennett Estate and Toa Payoh in the Central part of Singapore. In classification, it falls under Payoh area. Potong Pasir is specifically known for being longest held opposition-ward in one party dominant Singapore. The Chiam See Tong,the opposition member of parliament, held the ward consecutively from 1984 to 2011. You can easily access Potong Pasir via the MRT station.
Potong Pasir Town at Potong Pasir MRT Station
This region was previously dominated by sand quarries, thus giving it its current name. The mining-activities led to creation of four ponds which later were reduced to two because of frequent flooding and they were connected to River Kallang. River. These ponds served as the source of food for locals until pollution taken over later. In the 1950, it was the leading vegetable growing area in Singapore. Farmers farmed using traditional-methods with great success in their farming activities.
The area used to flood regularly, forcing residents to seek refuge in St Andrew’s School. Most farmers had leased land from the Government. As the years passed Potong Pasir experienced rapid changes. Among them the bridge construction across the ponds as well as the introduction of education in a village community form center back in 1952. Water and electricity were also introduced in the 1960’s.
Potong Pasir Near to St Andrew School
Early 80’s, public estate Potong Pasir Estate started taking shape and its construction began early 1982 and two blocks were in two years later through. The most recognizable icons in Potong Pasir was sloping roofs of some blocks. Up to now, this ward has managed remaining its idyllic feel as other places have been caught up by urbanization. Currently, Potong Pasir is under Sitoh Yin Pin a member of People’s Action Party. Previously, it was served by a long-term opposition figure Member of Parliament, Chiam See Tong from 1984-2011..
In Potong Pasir, the election has always been in the hot contest as the ruling party People’s Action seeking to unseat Mr. Chian. Mr. Chian was finally unseated by the Sitoh Yin Pin a member of the People’s Action Party. Sitoh Yin Pin successfully defended his seat in 2015 general elections.
Learning Institutions in Potong Pasir Town
Potong Pasir Town is the living place of St Andrew’s Village. It’s a mega-cluster of schools that are part and parcel of The Saints-Familly. It comprises St Andrew’s Junior School as well as St Andrew’s Secondary and St Andrew’s Junior College. The School name abbreviations are SA or SAS and both its former as well as old students are known as Saints.
Back in the 2000s, all the school were reunited in Potong-Pasir as a project of St Andrew’s Village. The Junior school renovation and expansion started in 2003 and in 2004 December, the new buildings were opened. In 2003 still, the new secondary school construction just started opposite the junior-school along the famous Francis-Thomas Drive and opened on 2004 December.
The Junior college began construction in 2003 when the secondary- school vacated its previous premises and moved to its holding-location. In December 2005,Junior-college was opened and a ceremony was held marking the Potong Pasir return. On 26 August 2006, the village was opened officially ceremony being held at the 1000 seater Cultural-Center at the Junior-College.