Lawrence Wong: If PAP lost Tampines GRC, it means WP’s calculated appeal to Malay-Muslim voters effective, but S'pore left divided

While the media described the People's Action Party's (PAP) showing at the 2025 general elections as a "landslide", People's Action Party (PAP) secretary-general Lawrence Wong said he did not see it as such and explained the drastic consequences if they had lost the hotly-contested Tampines GRC and Punggol GRC.

He also called on the party to stand firm against the erosion of clean, honest and constructive politics, despite the political cost of speaking up, which appears as if the PAP is overbearing and bullying its opponents.

Wong, who is prime minister, was speaking at the annual PAP Awards and Convention on Nov. 9 at Singapore Expo, the first party convention since GE2025.

Consequences if Tampines or Punggol was lost

Touching on GE2025, Wong said the party entered the contest knowing that it would not be an easy fight.

"Cost-of-living pressures were top-of-mind for many Singaporeans. This was a global issue. But the opposition worked up anxiety and frustration in our people, and tried to pin the blame on us," he said.

While some predicted a "flight to safety", he said he took no comfort in that and was "mentally prepared for all outcomes".

"Some well-meaning party members and friends sent me messages. They wanted to prepare me so they shared with me all kinds of predictions," he shared.

While the media described the results as a PAP "landslide", Wong disagreed that it was so and explained the "serious and far-reaching" message if two particular constituencies — Tampines and Punggol — had been lost.

Losing Tampines would suggest the WP's (Workers' Party's) calculated appeal to Malay-Muslim voters was an effective strategy and would encourage other parties to do the same, he said.

"That would only harm our social cohesion and lead to a divided Singapore," Wong explained.

Losing Punggol to the WP would have sent the "wrong message" that voters did not care about the "proven" track record of an "experienced minister" such as Gan Kim Yong, who is deputy prime minister.

"Singapore would have lost our very capable Taskforce Man," he added, referring to Gan's nickname.

The strong mandate for the PAP sent a clear message that Singaporeans understand what was at stake and "will not be swayed by populist appeals or racially tinged appeals".

Wong attributed the party's success at the polls to the hard work of the party's candidates, activists and volunteers.

In particular, he gave credit to the PAP's candidates who stood in the opposition-held wards of Aljunied, Sengkang and Hougang.

PAP must set tone for Singapore politics: Wong

Wong told party members that the PAP "must also set the tone for politics in Singapore" and avoid the situation that had arose in many other countries where politics "has taken a darker turn".

He said:

"How did this happen? It often starts small. A distortion here, a half-truth here. A little bit of a lie here, then bit by bit, the trust is eroded, and societies start to fracture. Each harmful move may not seem like a very big thing. You distort facts to score some political points, use race and religion to build a little bit more support, take some populist stance to chase applause rather than solve problems.

But each time this happens, if no one calls it out, then it becomes less outrageous, less shocking. It becomes more normalised."

Eventually, politics and political discourse turns toxic and society becomes divided, he added.

This cannot be allowed to happen in Singapore and the party must call it out each time a line is crossed and hold itself to the same standard, despite the political cost that comes with doing so, Wong said.

"If the PAP cared only about short-term political expediency, it would have been far easier for us to keep quiet and leave such matters unsaid. Because each time we call out bad behaviour, there will be some nay-sayers who accuse the the PAP of being over-bearing or accused us of bullying," he said.

However, keeping mum on such issues "carries a far greater cost".

He then called on the party's members to "stand firm", reiterating that the party must speak out not because of partisanship, but out of a sense of duty and responsibility to keep Singapore's politics "clean, honest and constructive".

Passing the torch to 5G

Wong also touched on the party's push to renew its ranks, a point which he had also made during last year's party convention.

The party now has 27 new and first-term Members of Parliament and has introduced new cabinet ministers, but Wong highlighted that he was still looking out for new party members and hopes to attract more potential office-holders to join the political arena.

Although the cabinet is now made up largely of 4G members with some 3G veterans, renewal cannot stop.

"Before too long, it will be a complete 4G cabinet with a few 5G members. And by the next election, I hope we can start to see the outlines of the next 5G team emerging," Wong shared.

Priorities in this term of government

Wong also spelled out the party's priorities during this term of government: Securing Singapore's place in a changed world, keeping the economy competitive, as well as keeping Singapore's society strong and united while providing support and assurance.

He highlighted the efforts that have already been undertaken by the ruling party.

As the world shifts away from multilateralism, the government will expand Singapore's diplomatic reach and do more in regions like Africa and Latin America while also deepening ties with existing partners, he said.

To keep the economy competitive, Gan is leading a team to "chart a new blueprint for our economy" and ensure Singapore does not get bypassed by new trade flows amidst a fragmenting global economy.

Wong said he looked forward to their recommendations early next year so the government can respond to them in Budget 2026.

On providing assurance and support, the prime minister pointed out that policies across education, healthcare, housing and retirement are being reviewed by the various ministers.

"We will keep strengthening our safety nets, so that whatever your background or circumstance, you won’t have to walk the journey alone," Wong said.

Rallying party members

Wong concluded his speech by rallying the party's members in attendance, saying that the party did well in GE2025 and gave the party a good base to work from.

While GE2025 was tough, he reminded party members to brace themselves as the next general election, which will take place in 2030 or earlier, will be tougher.

He told them that there was a full agenda ahead, and that the PAP must be ready by the next election to face Singaporeans with "confidence and conviction" and be able to say "clearly" that the party has delivered and will continue to do so.

Top image via Mothership