Politics in Singapore has evolved, and the days of PAP dominance before the 1980s are over and Singapore cannot go back to them.

So says Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong, due to become Singapore's fourth prime minister on May 15.

Wong was recently interviewed by The Economist magazine, and the interview was published on May 8.

It covered a range of topics including geopolitics and Singapore's own domestic politics, including the role of the opposition, the prospects for his government, and the sophisticated and discerning Singaporean voter.

Political Evolution

When asked by The Economist how his 4G government will be different from that of the 3G, Wong said that politics in Singapore had evolved and would continue to evolve.

The days of the People's' Action Party’s "dominance" in the 1960s, '70s and '80s was over, and Singapore “cannot go back to that period.”

Wong said that the Singaporean electorate was highly educated, very sophisticated, and very discerning with how they voted.

While a majority wants the PAP to continue as government, they also wanted more opposition voices in parliament.

For Wong, it is quite clear; the opposition presence in parliament is “here to stay.”

Wong said that going into elections, he does not assume that the PAP would automatically return to power, nor that he would automatically remain prime minister after those elections.

“This is the new reality of our political landscape," Wong said.

This meant that the PAP would have to do their best to engage Singaporeans, and to involve them in decisions shaping their future.

This is the goal of the Forward Singapore exercise, to “engage Singaporeans a lot more”, not just hear them out.

But the government is also trying to find platforms where people could be involved in decision making, and shape the future of Singapore together.

Iron in him

The Economist quoted Lee Kuan Yew at Wong, “whoever governs Singapore must have that iron in him.”

Does he see himself as that kind of leader, and is he prepared to take hard decisions, which sometimes meant being more abrasive, and even forcing people to do what they did not want.

Or, perhaps, is he more of a listener?

Wong answered:

“I believe when push comes to shove and the time comes to take hard decisions, I would do so, so long as the decision is in the interest of Singapore and Singaporeans.”

Wong said that he tends to listen carefully to everyone's views, and not assume that he knows all the answers.

He wanted people's insights, their perspectives, and to think about what would make the best decisions and outcomes, regardless of whether they were popular decisions.

Wong gave the example of government measures during the Covid-19 pandemic, or the recent raising of the Goods and Services Tax; examples of hard decisions that were not the most popular, but ones that the government had conviction in, and felt were the right ones to take.

Singaporeans, Wong said, could rest assured that he would take difficult decisions in the best interests of the country, and explain to Singaporeans why they are necessary.

Background

The Economist asked Wong about his lack of an elite background, pointing out that he had a more typical upbringing; and asking if that helped his “brand” with ordinary Singaporeans.

Wong grew up in a HDB flat in Marine Parade, attending Haig’s Boys Primary School, and Tanjong Katong Technical School.

Wong said his background was what it was, and if it helped make him more relatable “so much the better”.

But he essentially dismissed the notion, saying that Singaporeans were discerning and wise voters.

At the end of the day, Singaporeans have "high expectations" that prioritised delivery on things they cared about, such as, delivering a better life, better standards of living, both for themselves and their children.

“If we are unable to deliver those standards and a better team arises, then Singapore will choose accordingly.

I have no doubt about that.”

Value, experience, and transition

The Economist then asked about the future role of outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who will become a Senior Minister.

The magazine asked Wong to "address the concern" that PM Lee's possible continued presence in Cabinet might prevent the 4G government from “finding its voice and exerting authority in Singapore”.

Wong dismissed the concern, and said that it was a common and long-standing Singaporean tradition to retain older ministers and make use of their experience, inviting them to contribute in their own, different ways.

PM Lee becoming Senior Minister does not set a precedent, as his predecessors Goh Chok Tong and Lee Kuan Yew had done the same.

“It has never been a problem with preventing the new Prime Minister from setting the tone of leadership and making his own decisions.”

Wong said he did not envisage any difficulties with PM Lee becoming Senior Minister, valuing the international networks PM Lee has and that he would use him accordingly.

Wong would, as leader, have to find ways to harness the collective energies of his team, and also every Singaporean.

When asked about who would become the head of the PAP, Wong said that there was usually a period of transition for the new prime minister to take over as secretary general, and that he would take over the leadership in due course.

Legacy

Finally, he was asked about what he hoped his legacy would be, on how he would have liked to change Singapore.

Wong demurred, noting that Singapore remained a tiny island in a vast and dangerous world that might become even more dangerous in the years to come.

Singapore had always seen itself as an underdog, an improbable, unlikely nation, forged through the collective will of singaporeans.

“What has happened in the last 60 years has been nothing short of a miracle.

And my mission is keeping this miracle going for as long as I can, and to make sure our little red dot shines brightly for as long as possible.”

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Top image via Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI)