With a clear mandate from you, my team & I can speak for S'pore confidently: PM Wong

With a clear mandate shown by voters in electoral results, the People's Action Party (PAP) team will be able to advance Singapore's interests in the world confidently, said Prime Minister and PAP secretary-general Lawrence Wong on Apr. 28.

"If the PAP returns to power, but with a weakened mandate, you can be sure there will be people tempted to push us around.

It will be harder for us to advance Singapore's position abroad.

But with a clear mandate from you, my team and I can speak for Singapore confidently.

And we will do our utmost to ensure this little red dot continues to shine brightly even in a troubled world."

PM Wong was speaking at a lunchtime rally held by the People's Action Party (PAP) for Jalan Besar GRC at the Promenade Area beside UOB Plaza.

Known as the Fullerton rally, it is a staple and tradition of Singapore politics.

The last in-person Fullerton rally was held in 2015, and helmed by then-PM Lee Hsien Loong.

DPM Gan his ' right hand man'

Addressing the crowd gathered at UOB Plaza, PM Wong said that Singapore would be tested as it enters "a coming storm", and "if we are not careful, we could lose everything that we have worked so hard to build".

PM Wong highlighted the importance of Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Gan Kim Yong as a "steady, reliable and trusted" member of a refreshed PAP team.

He also called Gan "my deputy, my right hand man".

PM Wong noted that Gan, who also helms the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), leads the negotiations with the U.S. on tariffs and trade matters.

Gan had a recent virtual meeting with the U.S. commerce secretary where they agreed to explore “creative solutions” on trade between Singapore and the U.S, said PM Wong.

"Let’s give him our full support so that he can secure good outcomes for all of us."

Vote for opposition weakens PAP team

PM Wong also rebutted a comment from Workers' Party (WP) sec-gen Pritam Singh that voters should compare prospective WP candidates against PAP backbenchers, noting that a vote for the opposition would only weaken the PAP team.

PM Wong noted that he has "experienced ministers" contesting in GRCs, including some which are hotly contested.

Noting that multiple opposition parties are aiming to make a breakthrough in their respective constituencies, PM Wong highlighted that he could lose "three, four ministers".

"Their loss, if it happens will be immediately felt, and they cannot be replaced," said PM Wong.

“I have new candidates who will add to my team, and eventually grow to take on larger leadership roles," he added, citing the example of candidates David Neo of Tampines GRC, Dinesh Vasu Dash of East Coast GRC and Jeffrey Siow of Chua Chu Kang GRC.

"So friends and fellow Singaporeans, a vote for the opposition is not a free vote for more alternative voices in Parliament. It is a vote to weaken the PAP team – the team that is truly working for you."

"It will weaken me and my team, and it will do so at a time when I have just taken over, I’m trying to build up a team to serve you better. It will weaken us at a time when our country is facing real and serious challenges", he said.

9% GST hike

Opposition parties stir up discontent to maximise votes, but ignore data and facts, said PM Wong.

He was addressing opposition parties' comments during recent rallies decrying the GST increase to 9 per cent.

On the GST hike, PM Wong said that it was a "very difficult" decision made by the government, as they needed the revenue to take care of Singaporean seniors.

PM Wong added that it was accompanied by enhancements to permanent GST vouchers for lower- and middle-income Singaporeans, so effectively those who pay the full 9 per cent are foreigners, tourists and higher-income households.

"We explained all this in Parliament because this issue came up. We debated, we presented the data and the facts, and the opposition had no counter to this in Parliament," said PM Wong.

"But when elections come, they conveniently choose to ignore all this. Why? Because politically they know it’s to their advantage to make this an issue, to stir up unhappiness, just to maximise their votes."

Minimum wage

PM Wong also rebutted the proposal of a minimum wage in opposition manifestos, including one such proposal to set it as high as S$2,250.

This measure could lead to companies raising the price of goods and services, or cutting back on hiring of low wage workers, said PM Wong.

"These are things the opposition will never acknowledge...Their manifestos have many details – a long wish list.

But are they feasible, are they viable, are they sustainable?

Will there be negative outcomes? Please think about it.

All of you working here in the business and financial district of Singapore, you know: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.

There is no such thing as a free lunch!"

Called for a clear mandate

In a geopolitical landscape where "power talks", PM Wong stressed the need for a "clear mandate" in terms of electoral results.

After GE2025, assuming the PAP returns to governance, PM Wong said he has "many countries to visit".

Nevertheless, PM Wong noted that Singapore will face more challenges in its conduct of foreign policy, as the world gravitates more towards "might is right" where large countries use force or coercion to get their way.

"And that's why small states like us have to work even harder. When I meet my counterparts, you know what they will do — they will size me up.

When my colleagues need their counterparts, they will do the same.

They will assess what the GE results mean to all of us.

What does it mean for our political strength?

And they will certainly look to press every single advantage they have against us."

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Top image by CYY.