Speaking at the People's Action Party (PAP) Awards and Convention 2023 on Nov. 5, PM Lee Hsien Loong emphasised the PAP's need to uphold the highest standards of integrity Singaporeans have come to expect of the party.
"All of us here wear PAP whites, simple, recognisable, symbolising our commitment to honesty and incorruptibility," he said.
"This commitment is absolutely non-negotiable."
PM Lee pointed out that the PAP's rigorous enforcement of discipline had helped make Singapore "one of the cleanest, least corrupt countries" in the world.
However, PM Lee added that no matter how strict their discipline and zealous their enforcement are, someone or something somewhere would go astray.
He mentioned there were sporadic cases of corruption during the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's time and referenced the recent case involving Minister for Trasport S Iswaran, who is currently being investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
"If you wear white, you must be white."
PM Lee assured party members in attendance that if one did something improper, it would come to light and eventually lead to an investigation. If it is proven that there was wrongdoing, "you are out and consequences will follow", he warned.
These expectations do not apply only to party leaders or ministers, but they also apply to every PAP party member.
"If you wear white, you must be white," PM Lee emphasised.
According to the PAP website, the colour white, worn by party members, signifies purity and integrity.
"Whether in your party responsibilities or private dealings, never bring yourself or the party into disrepute," he said.
"Do not abuse your position. Do not accept favours, still less ask for them. It's shameful. It's wrong."
Keeping the system clean
Beyond just individual party leaders and members, PM Lee shared that the system must be kept clean, which includes keeping corrupt influences out of Singapore.
He cited the recent money laundering case where nearly S$3 billion worth of money and goods were seized, and a dozen people were arrested.
PM Lee also brought up a question a journalist asked him whether by promoting family officers and our financial industry, standards slip to attract unclean money into Singapore, to which PM Lee firmly replied:
"Not on your life."
He assured that Singapore's standards will never slip as "it's not worth it".
"We will never let our system go corrupt. And everybody who does business here, whether non-Singaporean or Singaporean, must know this is how things work in Singapore."
PM Lee concluded that PAP's integrity and honesty must never be compromised so that they can do justice to the trust the Singaporeans have given them.
PM Lee to hand over leadership to DPM Lawrence Wong before the next GE
On Nov. 5, PM Lee announced his plans to hand over party leadership to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong before the next General Elections (GE).
PM Lee said that "if all goes well", he would hand over the reins to Wong by PAP's 70th birthday in 2024.
PAP was founded on Nov. 21, 1954, and its 70th birthday will be on Nov. 21, 2024.
The next GE is due to take place no later than Nov. 23, 2025. Wong has shared that he is ready, and PM Lee expressed his confidence in Wong and his team, so there is "no reason to delay the political transition".
The convention also saw speeches made by three party activists — Branch Chairman of PAP Sengkang Central division Elmie Nekmat, Organising Secretary of the Young PAP Chua Wei-Shan and Assistant Branch Secretary of PAP Jurong Spring division Hamid Razak.
Chua and Hamid were previously reported by The Straits Times as being seen at grassroots events, perhaps signalling their participation at the next GE.
Elmie, on the otherhand, was previously announced as a member of the PAP's team in Sengkang under the leadership of former Senior Minister of State Lam Pin Min.
According to a press release from the PAP, the activists used their speeches at the convention to stress the importance of seeking commonality while celebrating differences, widening the space for youth activism, and building a stronger party with diverse voices.
Top photo via PAP/Facebook