Spotted: Ex-WP boss Low Thia Khiang on the ground at Hougang

SINGAPORE: Former Workers’ Party head Low Thia Khiang was up and about last weekend, seen in not one but two events in Hougang for seventh-month observations.

WP MP Dennis Tan (Hougang SMC) posted photos of Mr Low on his Facebook page from events on Saturday (Aug 26). “Together with former Hougang MPs Mr Low Thia Khiang and Mr PNG ENG HUAT, I joined some of our Hougang SMC residents at Blk 322 Hougang Avenue 5 for their 7th month prayers yesterday,” wrote Mr Tan.

Mr Low represented Hougang for nearly two decades, from 1991 to 2011, and was replaced by Mr Png, who served as the constituency’s MP from 2012 to 2020.

In the evening, Mr Tan and Mr Low went to a seventh-month dinner at Block 710 Hougang Avenue 2.

“It was a happy occasion for residents and friends attending the dinner. I thank the Blk 710 7th month group for inviting us for the occasion,” Mr Tan wrote.

After serving at Hougang SMC, Mr Low spearheaded the WP team to win the first opposition GRC, Aljunied, where he represented Bedok Reservoir-Punggol from 2011 to 2020.

Aside from being the former WP chief, Mr Low is the longest-serving opposition Member of Parliament.

He was hospitalised on Apr 30, 2020, suffering a head injury after a fall. He stayed at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital until May 21 of that year.

While he was still confined, the party announced that he and fellow MPs Chen Show Mao and Png Eng Huat would not contest in that year’s election, as the WP would “broaden its leadership base and also remain in touch with the ground as Singapore’s population changes.”

Mr Low also said he would remain active as a mentor within the WP. In the absence of other WP MPs, he and Mr Png have stepped in and helped out.

The immensely popular Mr Low has remained active, lending his strength to several party initiatives. /TISG

Did Pritam Singh just hint at a comeback for Low Thia Khiang at East Coast GRC?