Election results a ‘clear signal of trust, stability and confidence’ in the PAP govt: PM Wong

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SINGAPORE – The strong mandate that Singaporeans gave the PAP will put the nation in a better position to face the current turbulent world, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on May 4.

“It is a clear signal of trust, stability and confidence in your government,” he said, about an hour after the PAP was returned to power, winning a vote share of 65.57 per cent.

PM Wong pointed out that many were watching the election closely. These included international media, investors and foreign governments.

The results show a “clear and strong” mandate, he noted, adding that the PAP had improved on its 2020 vote share by 4 percentage points.

“My team and I gave it our all in this campaign, and I am deeply humbled and grateful for the results,” said PM Wong, adding that he was satisfied with the outcome of the elections.

It takes place at a critical time for Singapore, said the Prime Minister, who helmed a 3am press conference held at The Treasury after the official results were out.

“It is a changed world – not just an economic slowdown, but fundamental shifts in the international order,” he said.

Singaporeans can draw strength from the results and look ahead to their future with confidence, said PM Wong. This is his first election as prime minister and secretary-general of the PAP.

“To all Singaporeans, I say the results will motivate us to work even harder for you. We will do our best to serve you and improve your lives,” he said.

The party

clinched 82 of the 92 contested seats

, winning in all constituencies in which it was the incumbent. The opposition WP claimed the 10 remaining seats in Aljunied, Sengkang and Hougang.

PM Wong said his immediate task is to form his next Cabinet, which will be announced when ready.

When asked about his considerations when selecting members of his Cabinet, he said he would look at how best to assign the right responsibilities to the individuals based on their strengths and contributions.

“I’m grateful that all my key members have been voted in, and Singaporeans have now given me the chance to put together the best team to serve you and to serve Singapore,” he said.

They include Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who was a central figure in the hustings after his Nomination Day switch from Chua Chu Kang GRC to Punggol GRC.

During the hustings, PM Wong had called him his “right-hand man” and also christened him “task force man”.

PM Wong said his choice to move DPM Gan to Punggol showed the residents there that he was taking them seriously.

“I’m not just putting in a new person to take over, but I am treating their needs seriously,” he said.

DPM Gan’s team in Punggol beat a WP team of newcomers led by Senior Counsel Harpreet Singh with 55.17 per cent of the vote.

Asked if this was his toughest election yet, DPM Gan said that every election is tough, and he always treated his opponents with great respect.

“I always feel that every battle is worth fighting, because it is not just a battle against opposition, but it is also an opportunity for me to engage my residents, to reach out to my residents, to refresh the trust that I have with (them),” he said.

PM Wong reminded all the newly elected PAP MPs that the mandate they have received is a “heavy responsibility”.

They will have to take good care of their constituencies, engage residents and build deep relationships with them, bring forward their voices in Parliament, as well as advocate and champion causes that matter to them, he said.

PM Wong also reflected on the concerns that had been raised throughout the hustings.

Singaporeans have given feedback on the cost of living and housing, he noted.

“We have been working on these issues, and I assure you, we will redouble our efforts in the coming term to tackle these issues of concern,” he said.

“My team and I will use this mandate to serve with humility and responsibility. We will serve all Singaporeans, whether you voted for the PAP or you voted for another party – everyone matters. We will serve all of you. We will do our utmost to improve your lives.”

He added that the PAP government will learn from this election and reflect, improve and strive to do better.

It will also involve Singaporeans in this journey, he said.

He reiterated his message during the campaign – that the real contest facing Singapore is not between the PAP and the opposition, but between Singapore and the world.

Singaporeans must put aside their differences and stand together as one team now that the election is over, he said.

“To improve our chances, we cannot afford to fight one another. We have to fight together to achieve better outcomes for Singapore and Singaporeans,” he added.

On whether the election result showed a “flight to safety” mindset among Singaporeans, PM Wong pointed to the general election in 2020, when people had talked about the same possibility.

“Yet that didn’t quite materialise, or it didn’t unfold as many would have predicted. So these are things you can never predict,” he said.

During the campaign, he had emphasised that the world had changed, and that to tackle and overcome the challenges ahead, he would need a good and strong team.

The results show that Singaporeans understood the message, said PM Wong.

He was flanked by DPM Gan and Mr Chan Chun Sing at the press conference.

Other members of his Cabinet, including Ms Grace Fu, Mr K. Shanmugam, Mr Desmond Lee, Mr Masagos Zulkifli and Mr Ong Ye Kung, were also present. The PAP’s Aljunied GRC team leader Chan Hui Yuh was also there.