Two public housing blocks in Tiong Bahru have become the centre of controversy after residents voiced objections to an ongoing repainting project, which they claim proceeded without community input.
According to Chinese media outlet 8World News, protest signs were put up at Block 9A and 9B along Boon Tiong Road.
The signs criticised the selected colour, describing it as “the most saturated and awful purple”, and questioned the legitimacy of the decision-making process.
Residents allege that no vote was conducted before the repainting began. Several individuals who contacted the Town Council said they were informed that no voting had taken place.
Typically, the repainting of HDB blocks involves residents selecting from a range of proposed colour schemes, with the Town Council or Residents’ Network overseeing a voting process.
In response to the protest, newly elected Member of Parliament for the area, Foo Cexiang, addressed the matter publicly.
In a Facebook post dated 10 May, Foo acknowledged the concerns and stated that he was urgently looking into the issue.
“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.
He added that he had requested a pause in the repainting works while the situation is reviewed.
A printout of Foo’s post was later placed next to the protest signs at the blocks, suggesting coordination between residents and the MP’s office.
The incident has gained attention online, with netizens discussing both the colour selection and the apparent lack of public consultation.
Some expressed that the core issue was not the chosen colour itself, but the absence of a transparent and democratic process.
One Facebook user raised several concerns, including whether the Town Council or Residents’ Committee had managed the voting process and whether there was sufficient turnout.
The user also suggested that dissatisfaction could have stemmed from residents missing the vote, not being notified, or simply disliking the selected colour.
He noted that, based on his experience, such decisions are generally made by majority vote and not every preference can be fulfilled.
He further suggested that voting notices may have been poorly displayed, or that some residents could have been overseas during the voting period.
Another netizen compared the situation to practices in Sengkang, stating that in Workers’ Party-managed wards, repainting projects typically include a visible display for residents to choose from multiple colour options.
Others recalled that previous Members of Parliament had ensured a vote was conducted before similar repainting projects, adding to the sense of confusion and dissatisfaction in this case.
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