GE2025: PAP a steady, trusted hand during tough times, says PM Wong

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SINGAPORE – Opposition parties will say anything to bring the PAP down, including repeating distorted facts and false claims after issues are explained and backed up by facts, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

For instance, the PSP continues to make claims that foreigners are taking jobs at the expense of Singaporeans.

PM Wong said: “We’ve debated this over and over again in Parliament... We’ve shown that our approach strengthens Singapore’s competitiveness. It attracts investments from around the world, and in the end, creates more good jobs for Singaporeans...

“But even after all the explanation, PSP keeps pushing the same line. Because they know it’s an emotive issue, and they think they can get political mileage out of this.”

Speaking at a PAP rally in Chua Chu Kang GRC on April 26, PM Wong said perhaps the PSP has seen such negative political tactics work, for instance, in the West, where many countries are becoming insular.

Big countries like the United States can close the door to the outside world and survive, but a small nation like Singapore will have a big price to pay if it goes down the same path, especially at a time of such uncertainty and turbulence, he added.

He said some multinational companies are considering leaving Singapore due to rising costs in the light of the US tariffs.

PM Wong said: “If you have the PSP coming into Parliament, I think the companies will conclude: The political risk in Singapore has gone up, policies may also start to change in Singapore.

“They may decide to move out of Singapore earlier. If they do, who suffers in the end? It is Singaporeans.”

In a speech lasting more than 45 minutes, PM Wong also touched on the need to avoid divisive politics in Singapore, the PAP’s track record of adapting to changing times, and why voters can rely on the PAP government to steer Singapore through the global challenges facing the country.

Opposition parties turn to divisive politics and personal attacks when they cannot win an argument, and accuse the PAP of losing its way, he said.

Comments like these are made to stoke frustration against the PAP and to score points to get into Parliament without solving problems, he added.

On April 24, PSP secretary-general Leong Mun Wai

said Singapore’s fourth-generation leadership has lost its way,

and there has been a decline in standards and accountability in the PAP.

Said PM Wong: “If the PAP and our candidates have not done well, and if the other side has better candidates and better proposals, then by all means, Singaporeans can judge for yourselves... That’s how our system of democracy works.

“But there’s no need to go down into divisive politics.”

He also touched on the issue of foreign influence in Singapore politics, including attempts to rally support for candidates along racial or religious lines.

Foreign actors, including a religion-based political party from Malaysia, have tried to influence opinions on Singapore’s election online, resulting in the authorities

blocking access to several Facebook posts

.

PM Wong urged voters to reject populist ideas and identity politics based on things like race and religion. “Choose the best candidates, choose the best party to serve your constituency and country, but above all, choose unity,” he said.

He also addressed criticism from opposition parties that the PAP is hampered by “groupthink”, as well as claims that change can come about only with more opposition members in Parliament.

PM Wong cited the PAP’s track record and ability to transform Singapore over six decades, in areas like jobs, healthcare, housing and trade, for instance. That, he said, is proof that the ruling party adapts.

“Is it possible to do all that with ‘groupthink’?” he asked. “Let’s get real.”

He urged Singaporeans not to buy into the belief that with a few more seats in Parliament, the opposition can make the ruling party work harder, because, on the contrary, it will weaken the PAP team and jeopardise its leadership transition.

New PAP candidates include several who can hold political office, and will form the core leadership to lead Singapore in the future if elected, now that senior leaders like Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean

are stepping down,

he added.

Said PM Wong: “Do you really want to risk all that? Do you really want to lose serving ministers as well as new candidates who have the potential to be the next generation of leaders for you?

“A weakened PAP team now will make it harder for us to serve you effectively in the next five years as we confront so many global challenges.”

Singapore faces key issues, including the rising cost of living and global crises like trade wars, he added.

Responding to concerns about the 9 per cent goods and services tax, PM Wong said the opposition has said the GST increase has added to cost-of-living pressures.

However, permanent GST vouchers for lower- and middle-income families effectively reduce their GST rate to below 7 per cent, he added.

“Then you may ask, who pays the full rate? The people who pay 9 per cent are foreigners, tourists and high-income households. Don’t you want them to pay 9 per cent? I want them to pay 9 per cent!” said PM Wong.

Rising costs are a global problem, he added, amid wars and supply chain disruptions, which have pushed prices up.

Measures rolled out in

the 2025 Budget

are aimed at protecting Singaporeans from rising cost pressures but the Government will do more if economic conditions worsen, he said.

The PAP will create jobs with rising incomes, strengthen permanent support schemes and systematically tackle other areas where cost is a concern, including housing and healthcare, he added.

PM Wong said his PAP team is a steady and trusted hand in Singapore’s toughest moments.

“This is not the first crisis we’ve faced, and it won’t be the last. For the past 60 years, the PAP has walked alongside you. We’ve pulled through one crisis after another,” he added.

For instance, during the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccines, essential supplies and investments were brought in, and lives and jobs were saved, and Singapore was among the earliest economies to reopen and bounce back, he said.

PM Wong said: “You’ve seen how my team and I stepped up during the darkest moments of the Covid pandemic to steer our country to safety...

“You counted on us when it mattered most and you can count on us again, come what may.”