PM Wong’s call to all political parties: Uphold multiracial politics, don't inflame sensitive issues & divide S'poreans

While Singaporeans will have different views on new developments happening around the world, including war in Europe and Gaza, they can discuss them and forge a national consensus under normal circumstances.

However, in the heat of an election camapign, "it is easy for issues to get stirred up" and, if they are not handled carefully, these issues "can be exploited" and end up dividing and weakening Singaporeans, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

PM Wong, who is also People's Action Party (PAP) secretary-general, called on all political parties and coalitions contesting in General Election (GE) 2025:

"Let's make sure that in everything we do, we always uphold multiracial politics. Do not inflame sensitive issues.

Make sure that politics stop at the water's edge, meaning when it comes to our national interests, our sovereignty, our security, our place in the world, don't use domestic politics to divide Singaporeans.

There must be unity, because whatever our differences, at the end of the day, we are all Singaporeans, first and foremost.

And it's only by standing together that we can survive in this contested and fractured world."

PM Wong was speaking at PAP's first political rally at Woodlands Stadium on Apr. 24 evening.

He was alongside fellow Marsiling-Yew Tee group representation constituency (GRC) teammates Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad, Alex Yam, and Hany Soh.

Besides the PAP slate for the GRC, PM Wong also invited Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung and Sembawang West single-member constituency (SMC) candidate Poh Li San to join the rally as they are all part of the "PAP team from the north".

Government did not exaggerate challenges ahead

During his rally speech, PM Wong rebutted some opposition politicians' claim that the PAP was "exaggerating and fear-mongering" when the party warned Singaporeans of the changes happening around the world.

For example, on the sweeping tariffs imposed by the United States (U.S.) government on its trading partners worldwide, PM Wong shared that businesses across Singapore are "very worried" as some of them export directly to the U.S. while others run factories in China and Southeast Asia to export to the U.S.

Their concern is further exacerbated as the rules imposed by the U.S. government "keep on shifting":

"First, they had the U.S tariff announcement that got everybody very scared. Then they said, postpone for 90 days. But the sky-high tariffs between America and China remain. [...]

And recently — you may have read the news — America imposed even higher tariffs on solar imports from a few Asean countries. How high? 3,500 per cent."

Potential long-term impact of U.S. tariffs

While these changes have already caused global demands to fall and many to hold back their investments, PM Wong shared that his team's bigger worry was that the impact may last longer.

Wong said that some Singapore-based U.S. multinational enterprises in the semiconductors and pharmaceutical industries had shared that they might have to reconsider whether to continue operating in Singapore if the tariffs were to stay.

Concurrently, the rising tensions between the U.S and China might also force Singapore to choose between housing American companies or Chinese firms, which would have a "disastrous" impact on the economy and job security.

Given the above, if Singaporeans come across any politicians downplaying the challenges ahead, PM Wong encouraged them to consider whether they are seriously looking out for their well-being:

"Other political parties may downplay the risks, but I assure you, the PAP will never do so.

We will face the challenges head on with Singaporeans, because we will never gamble with your lives, your jobs, and your future in this changed world."

Social spending 'already largest item' in government's budget

PM Wong also said alternative policies proposed by opposition politicians may sound appealing initially, however not all of them are sound, including those that suggest the government spend more and subsidise more.

According to PM Wong, social spending "is already the largest item" in the government's Budget statement and is higher than defence spending.

While promising to continue spending more and doing more to help Singaporeans with cost of living pressures, he cautioned that the government will do so "carefully" to avoid weakening public finances, shifting the burden to future generations, and causing investors' confidence in the Singapore economy to fall.

Don't offer opposition 'free pass'

PM Wong also urged Singaporeans not to give opposition politicians "a free pass" in GE2025 just because they wanted "some alternative voices in Parliament".

Instead, he asked the voters to "apply the same standards" to opposition politicians as they do for the PAP candidates in terms of integrity, competence, and readiness to serve.

"Choose individuals of character whom you believe will serve you, your family, your constituency, and our nation well."

This is because after the election is over and the excitement dissipates, "the real contest is not the PAP versus the opposition".

"It is our little red dot versus a dangerous and troubled world," cautioned PM Wong.

Top image via Mothership