PAP sec-gen Lawrence Wong addresses 1,800 party activists: Party will uphold responsible politics

The People’s Action Party (PAP) will renew the party to represent all Singaporeans and uphold responsible politics, as it focuses on creating new opportunities for Singapore, PAP secretary-general Lawrence Wong, who is Singapore's prime minister, told more than 1,800 party activists at the biennial party convention on Sunday, Nov. 9

In his speech, Wong outlined the key priorities of the PAP government to secure Singapore’s place in a changed world, where major powers are increasingly turning inwards.

“We have just begun our new term of government. We will deliver what we had set out to do in our election manifesto," he said.

"We will continue to strengthen our safety nets so that every Singaporean — whatever their background or circumstance – knows that we are in this together, and no one will be left behind.”

He added: "The rules that enabled small countries like ours to prosper are being rolled back. So we must find new ways to create relevance and opportunities for Singaporeans."

Speak up against divisive politics

Referencing the global political landscape, Wong also cautioned about the threats of divisive politics.

He said: “Speaking up carries some political cost. But keeping quiet carries a far greater cost – to our values, to our standards, and to Singapore’s future. This is why we must stand firm as a party."

"We speak up not out of partisanship, but out of a deep sense of duty and responsibility. To keep our politics clean, honest and constructive," Wong added. "Because that’s what it means to be the PAP – to stand for integrity, to do what is right, and to always put Singapore and Singaporeans at the centre of all we do. That is who we are. That is who we must always be."

His views were also shared by PAP chairman Desmond Lee, who is education minister.

Lee said in his maiden speech as PAP chairman: "Singaporeans gave us their trust and confidence during the GE (general election) — they wanted unity, progress and stability. It is a trust we must cherish and protect."

"Each generation judges us – not just by our past or the promises that we make — but by how we act, how we listen and how we care for Singaporeans," he added. "Our responsibility is clear: to carry this mandate with humility and purpose, and to keep Singapore exceptional in an increasingly fractured world," he added.

Four activists address fellow party activists

Responding to the theme of the convention "Changed World, Fresh Team, New Resolve", four activists also gave speeches to share their perspectives on how the party can respond to global uncertainties and ensure Singaporeans do not get left behind.

Among them was Ahmad Firdaus Daud, 42, a technology lawyer and father of two, who is the vice-chairman of the Punggol North Branch and previously volunteered with the Chong Pang Branch, and serves on the National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA).

Another activist, Ong Jing Jing, 43, is a mother of two daughters, aged 12 and 14, who joined the party in 2017 and serves as vice chair of the Women’s Wing in Ulu Pandan, and advocates for women’s representation, working mothers, intergenerational caregivers, and youth.

The other two are Ramesh Selvaraj, 46, a father of two and a lawyer at Allen & Gledhill LLP, who is now with Chong Pang Branch but mans the legal clinic at Punggol Shore, as well as Andy Ang, 40, assistant director for the NTUC Freelancer, an initiative under the labour movement.

Party activists awarded

Before the convention at the Singapore Expo, 426 activists were recognised for their service during the party awards ceremony on Saturday evening.

The highest honour of the evening, the Meritorious Service Medal, was awarded to former minister Lim Swee Say for his contributions to upholding tripartism, and service to the party and Singapore over the past 29 years.

Lim entered politics in 1997 as a Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, later serving in Holland-Bukit Panjang and East Coast GRCs until his retirement in 2020.

Lim also spoke at the PAP rallies in East Coast GRC and Punggol GRC during the 2025 general election.

Top photo via Mothership