PM Wong urges Singaporeans to remain united in ‘a far more dangerous world’

SINGAPORE - Singaporeans must remain united in a far more dangerous world that is in flux, with more conflict and instability on the horizon, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Nov 24.

“Then we can speak with one voice on the world stage. And we will be valued as a safe and secure, a stable and reliable nation, even in a troubled and uncertain world,” he said.

Speaking at the People’s Action Party (PAP) conference, he said the Government would not be able to navigate this turbulent new world or withstand hostile foreign influence operations without the steadfast support of Singaporeans.

Singapore’s reputation and international standing is high, PM Wong noted at the conference, where cadres had gathered in the morning to vote for the next iteration of the party’s top decision-making body that would lead it in the next general election.

“What makes Singapore so exceptional? It’s because when we speak, others know that it is a Singaporean point of view, coherently articulated by the Government and supported by Singaporeans,” he said.

“They know we mean business, and we do not waver,” added PM Wong, who is currently the ruling PAP’s deputy secretary-general.

He is slated to take over the role of party chief from Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong after the first meeting of the new central executive committee.

Addressing about 3,000 PAP cadres, activists and guests, PM Wong laid out the challenges in the global situation that Singapore will have to navigate as it embarks on its next phase.

The Prime Minister said he had good discussions with many of his counterparts during various overseas work trips, including

the recent Group of 20 summit in Brazil.

Everyone is worried, he said, given the major wars raging in Europe and the Middle East, and US-China relations in a more challenging place. “There are many moving pieces geopolitically where things can easily go wrong,” he added.

PM Wong said that for decades, countries everywhere benefited from an American-led global order that was supported by multilateral institutions.

But the US – while still pre-eminent – no longer wishes to be the world’s policeman.

Former US president Donald Trump has been re-elected to office

on the basis of “America First”, he noted.

His mandate reflects the growing sentiment among the American public that they are paying too high a price to uphold the global order, and not enjoying the commensurate benefits.

Other rising powers like China and India are also focused on their own domestic issues, and are not in a position to take on larger global responsibilities yet, said PM Wong.

The world is in flux, with established norms fading but a new order yet to take shape, he added.

“Amidst this vacuum of leadership, we can expect more conflict and instability in the world, as state and non-state actors will be emboldened to test boundaries, often with little or no consequence,” he added, citing the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Ideally, the major powers should come together to coordinate their positions and work for the larger good, but there is deep suspicion and mistrust between America and China, said PM Wong.

Each regards the other as a strategic threat, with both taking steps to enlarge their spheres of influence and strengthen their own positions – so it will get harder to find common ground, he added.

“These are the realities of the world we live in. And these dynamics will be with us for some time – we’re not talking about one or two years... I think we will have to grapple with this perhaps for the next decade or beyond,” said PM Wong.

“We will find it more difficult to make a living, and keep ourselves safe. Other countries may test our limits, and we must be ready to stand firm and defend our interests. At the same time, we must redouble our efforts to make friends with everyone, big and small, near and far,” he added.

Singaporeans must hence remain united, even as they are bound to have different views on global developments.

“We cannot let our differences pull us apart. It is already tough to be a small country for our voices to be heard. It will be even tougher if our voice is diffused and incoherent. At the end of the day, we must consider the larger national interest and take a united position,” he said.

PM Wong said he does not take the trust and support of Singaporeans lightly. “My team and I will work hard to earn your trust, and to be a steadfast voice for Singapore and Singaporeans on the world stage.”