On 24 September 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong addressed Parliament on the third day of the debate on the President’s Address.
He emphasised that Singapore’s politics must be conducted with seriousness, integrity, and responsibility.
The Prime Minister said he welcomed the opposition’s presence in Parliament, noting that both sides share the duty of serving Singaporeans.
PAP must earn mandate at each election
Wong highlighted that the People’s Action Party (PAP) does not assume an automatic right to govern.
He explained that each mandate must be earned through hard work and by improving lives.
“Doing well in one election does not guarantee success in the next,” he told Parliament.
He underlined that political competition remains a natural feature of democracy.
Workers’ Party expected to play vigorous role
The Prime Minister specifically addressed the Workers’ Party (WP), the largest opposition party in Parliament.
“In this term of government, I fully expect the WP to keep us on our toes – raising questions, scrutinising our policies and holding us accountable,” he said.
He acknowledged that the WP would aim to grow its presence in Parliament, just as any political party would.
“One day, it will want to take over from the PAP as the ruling party, even if it may not say so openly now. This is the nature of political competition.”
However, Wong reiterated that whether PAP, WP, or any other party, all are ultimately “servants of the people”.
In the most recent general election held on 3 May 2025, voters returned the PAP to power with an improved vote share of 65.57 per cent.
The WP retained its 10 elected seats and secured two Non-Constituency MP positions, marking its largest parliamentary presence to date.
Wong described Singaporeans as discerning voters who decide which parties deserve their trust, whether in government or opposition.
He cautioned that all parties would face consequences if they fell short of public expectations.
Warning against racial and religious divisions
Wong also warned that as elections become more competitive, the temptation to mobilise voters along racial and religious lines will increase.
He said Singapore must guard against such practices, which could endanger national harmony.
“In one instance, they attacked the credibility of certain candidates because these candidates allegedly failed to advocate the rights of a particular religious community. In another instance, they praised a candidate for arguing against the separation of religion and politics,” he said.
He revealed that both online and on-the-ground narratives had encouraged voters to favour candidates based on race or religion.
Government actions against foreign interference
The Prime Minister recalled that in April 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Elections Department (ELD) acted against foreign election interference.
Corrective Directions were issued to Meta, parent company of Facebook, requiring the blocking of access in Singapore to certain posts.
The posts, published by foreign political figures and individuals including Parti Islam Se-Malaysia leaders Iskandar Abdul Samad and Mohamed Sukri Omar, were deemed to constitute unlawful election advertising under the Parliamentary Elections Act.
Some of the content promoted opposition candidates, such as WP’s Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap in Tampines GRC, while criticising government policies.
Wong stressed that Singapore prohibits all forms of foreign involvement in its elections.
Consequences of weaponising race and religion
The Prime Minister warned that rewarding appeals to race or religion at the ballot box would create deep fissures in society.
“Other racial and religious groups would have mobilised to protect their own interests in future elections,” he said.
He cautioned that this could jeopardise the multiracial and multi-religious harmony that Singapore has cultivated over six decades.
Wong invoked the national pledge, describing the line “one united people, regardless of race, language or religion” as the foundation of Singapore’s independence and nationhood.
Constructive politics as a guiding principle
Wong reiterated that Singapore’s unity rests on the way politics is conducted – how debates, disagreements, and decisions are managed.
He urged Members of Parliament to reaffirm their commitment to serving all Singaporeans and to forswear racial and religious appeals.
“Every election is a new test, and we must take nothing for granted,” he said.
Building for youth and future generations
Beyond political conduct, the Prime Minister also laid out his vision for Singapore’s future.
He pledged to keep social mobility alive, expand early childhood education, strengthen family support, and reform the education system and workplaces.
These reforms aim to reduce unhealthy competition and create a fairer society.
He also committed to strengthening safety nets, with more inclusive schemes to help those facing setbacks.
Highlighting Singapore’s narrowing inequality, Wong stressed the importance of ensuring progress is shared broadly.
A ‘We First’ spirit for Singapore’s youth
Addressing younger generations, Wong called on youth to pursue their dreams boldly.
He emphasised that success must not only be individual but also collective, in keeping with a “We First” ethos.
He said this spirit would ensure Singapore continues to thrive across generations.
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