The Workers’ Party (WP) has produced a documentary to celebrate its 65th anniversary, focusing on the history of Hougang, a constituency it has represented for 31 years. A trailer for the documentary was released on November 3, showcasing interviews with residents, historians, and former party chief Low Thia Khiang, who served as Hougang’s MP from 1991 to 2011.

According to Leon Perera, WP’s media head and Aljunied GRC MP, the documentary project began in 2021, driven by the need to share Hougang’s rich and distinctive history with the wider public. Hougang is not only a community that predates Singapore’s colonial founding but also holds the unique status of being Singapore’s longest-held opposition ward.

The documentary traces the migration of Teochew immigrants from 18th century China to the Riau Islands, Pulau Ubin, and eventually Hougang. It highlights Hougang’s historical connection to the sea—its name meaning “harbour in the back”—and charts the relocation of kampung residents to modern Housing Board flats in Singapore’s early years of independence.

The film also touches on Low Thia Khiang’s use of the Teochew dialect during rallies, especially significant amid the government’s Speak Mandarin campaign. WP plans to release the documentary for public screenings in the coming months, offering a deeper understanding of Hougang’s political and cultural legacy.