Equip yourselves with the best team to take our nation forward: PM Wong

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SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has called on Singaporeans to “equip themselves” with the best team to take the country forward, amid a changed world with turbulence all around.

The stakes are high in this election, and much is at risk, said PM Wong at a press conference on April 23 several hours after nominations closed.

“More than ever, who Singaporeans select to be their elected government is critical.”

In many respects, the challenges today are more severe than when Singaporeans last went to the polls in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, PM Wong noted.

Businesses already feel the slowdown in their orders and are cutting back on investments in this uncertain environment, and there may even be job losses. Union leaders have also raised concerns about the impact on jobs, and the effect of trade barriers going up could stretch for quite some time, he added.

“Countries are turning inwards and trade barriers are going up. The opposition says ‘don’t fear, this is overreaction, the PAP is overdoing it’,” he said. “But I think if you truly examine the facts and ask yourself: Is the world changing? Is something different? The answer is yes.”

PM Wong, who is heading into his first hustings as both prime minister and PAP secretary-general, said that he had in the last few weeks spoken to his counterparts from around the world.

He had also spoken to union leaders, and caught up with sovereign wealth fund GIC’s investment advisers right after nomination proceedings.

“Across the board, there is a consensus that things will not go back to the way they used to be,” he said. “No one can tell what this new global order will be like... we are in the midst of a very messy and unpredictable transition.”

“Under these circumstances, I ask Singaporeans to equip yourselves with the best team to take our nation forward.”

While some people say Singaporeans tend to vote for the PAP during difficult times, PM Wong said he did not take this for granted, as it did not happen at the 2020 General Election that was held in the midst of the pandemic.

The opposition is better organised than before and, aside from

the walkover in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC,

every area will be fiercely contested, he added.

“So I fully expect this election to be a tough contest.”

Asked about the belief among some voters that the PAP will still be able to form the government even if a few more opposition MPs are voted in, PM Wong said he understood the sentiment and that there is a role for a constructive and responsible opposition in Singapore.

The reality is the opposition is here to stay and their numbers in the House have increased over the years, he added.

“But at the end of the day in an election, Singaporeans must decide who they want to serve them as their elected government – that’s what elections are about,” he said.

PM Wong said he had “worked extra hard this time around” to bring in fresh faces to strengthen his team, which includes a number who have the potential to take on political office, if they are elected.

He urged Singaporeans to consider the stakes – not just in terms of tactical voting, but also what the election fundamentally means for their families and the future of the country.

“Choose who you believe are the right individuals that you want to represent you in your constituency and in Parliament in our country,” he said.

“They ought to be individuals who are capable, people with integrity, people of good character, and may Singaporeans choose the best candidates amongst the slate of candidates that we are presenting.”