Grateful for your understanding & for placing PAP's, S'pore’s interests ahead of your own: PM Wong thanks 20 recently retired PAP MPs

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong paid tribute to the 20 People's Action Party (PAP) Members of Parliament (MPs) who retired ahead of GE2025.

At an appreciation event at Parliament House on Jul. 4, 2025, PM Wong, who is also secretary-general of the PAP, said:

"I know the decision to retire wasn't so easy for everyone. Of course, a few of you, having served for several terms, were quite eager to pass on the baton... When you came to see me, you never failed to remind me that it was time to identify your successor...

Some asked to step down because of personal reasons, whether it's family or other matters, and I respect the decision.

A number of you could easily have continued for another term, but I had to ask you to make way for renewal and you needed to make way for new blood.

You understood the Party’s decision and you agreed to step aside with grace, and for that I thank you.

I am grateful for your understanding, and for placing the Party's and Singapore's interests ahead of your own".

Legacy

On the retiring comrades, PM Wong noted that collectively, they served more than 280 man-years in Parliament.

"That's a tremendous legacy," he said.

The retired MPs are:

• Teo Chee Hean (seven terms)
• Amy Khor (five terms)
• Heng Chee How (five terms)
• Maliki Osman (five terms)
• Ng Eng Hen (five terms)
• Lim Biow Chuan (four terms)
• Lim Wee Kiak (four terms)
• Foo Mee Har (three terms)
• Gan Thiam Poh (three terms)
• Heng Swee Keat (three terms)
• Sitoh Yih Pin (three terms)
• Cheryl Chan (two terms)
• Chong Kee Hiong (two terms)
• Louis Ng (two terms)
• Tan Wu Meng (two terms)
• Carrie Tan (one term)
• Derrick Goh (one term)
• Don Wee (one term)
• Mohd Fahmi Aliman (one term)
• Ng Ling Ling (one term)

On their legacy, PM Wong said the MPs spoke up on a range of issues in Parliament, including caregivers and lower-wage workers, to businesses and arts and cultural groups.

"Many of you also spoke up on behalf of your residents. Perhaps, none more so than Tan Wu Meng, who never fails to remind of the residents of Clementi," said PM Wong.

Many raised motions on issues of national importance, from mental health and climate change to end-of-life care, PM Wong added.

Two milestones PM Wong highlighted were the setting up of the Rare Disease Fund, that provides financial assistance for Singaporeans with rare diseases, and the adoption of flexible work arrangements.

PM Wong also gave a shout-out to former backbencher MP Louis Ng.

"He not only asked the most questions, delivered the most motions, but he also gave us two Private Member's Bills," he said, referring to the Good Samaritan Food Donation Bill, and the amendment to the Wild Animals and Birds Act.

And from their time on the ground, PM Wong said the MPs helped to develop local programmes such as digital inclusion initiatives and assistance schemes.

"Your efforts have strengthened the fabric of our society, and built strong community bonds that will endure well into the future," he said.

PM Wong also gave a special thank you to the six former officeholders — Heng Swee Keat, Teo Chee Hean, Ng Eng Hen, Maliki Osman, Heng Chee How and Amy Khor — whom he said he had worked closely with and learned a great deal from.

For the two former Deputy Prime Ministers, PM Wong disclosed that Teo has agreed to take up the role of Senior Adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Heng, on the other hand, will continue as chairman of the National Research Foundation.

On the PAP's results in GE2025

PM Wong also commented on the results of GE 2025, where PAP secured 87 out of 97 seats and 65.57 per cent of the overall vote share.

Acknowledging that PAP "faced close calls in several constituencies", PM Wong nevertheless said Singaporeans made "a clear choice – to maintain the balance in Parliament, and to return the PAP to government with a strengthened majority".

"We are deeply grateful for this clear mandate and the trust that Singaporeans have placed in us."

As what contributed to the outcome, PM Wong said one factor was an external environment in which Singaporeans wanted steady and trusted leadership to navigate challenges.

Another factor was that the PAP had "stepped up our efforts in communications and social media" with a more disciplined, coordinated and focussed campaign, drawing from the lessons of GE 2020, noted PM Wong.

PM Wong added that perhaps most importantly, the results reflected the hard work that PAP MPs had put in on the ground, in speaking up for their constituents in parliament, improving their estates and precincts and explaining government policies.

'The work for the next GE has already begun'

While acknowledging the MPs' contributions, PM Wong emphasised the need for leadership renewal.

PM Wong shared that the PAP had learnt that "we cannot just rely on just a few tea sessions or interviews" for its recruitment of good candidates.

It's better to bring in prospective candidates early to serve on the ground, so as to gain experience and exposure, PM Wong said.

"In the last election, we did a few of such early deployments. But a number of our MPs were introduced quite late in the process. So this is an area that we can and will do better the next round," said PM Wong.

To that end, PAP is resuming its tea sessions ahead of the next GE and will cast the net wide, "across all backgrounds and communities", PM Wong noted.

"It doesn't matter if someone disagrees with us or has voted against us before. As long as they have the heart to serve, and are prepared to make common cause with the PAP, we will gladly welcome them on board to build a better Singapore together."

Top image by Mothership