If you care deeply about S'pore & have ideas to make it better, come join the PAP: PM Wong

The People's Action Party (PAP) can continue to govern Singapore well with "good people who are willing to serve", and have different views and ideas, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Jul. 4.

Speaking at an event marking the 40th anniversary of the PAP’s youth wing, PM Wong noted that PAP does not want everyone within it to think the same way.

He added that the party seeks people with different experiences, perspectives and ideas to help it tackle the challenges ahead.

Different ideas

PM Wong, who is also the party's secretary-general, addressed over 1,200 youth activists and participants at the Young PAP YP40 festival at Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

"This diversity is essential for the PAP to keep renewing itself and to continue governing well for the longer term," he said.

Calling for them to "widen the circle", he added: "You do not have to agree with us on every single issue."

"In fact, it’s the opposite."

Some naturally drawn to 'underdog': PM Wong

He added that while some young people are naturally drawn to the "underdog" as opposed to an established political party, the "real competition we face is not within Singapore", but with the rest of the world.

"We are competing against countries with much larger populations, bigger markets, and far greater resources," he said.

He added: "In that arena, Singapore has been, and will always be, the underdog."

PM Wong noted that PAP's past achievements do not guarantee future success.

"Every generation must bring with them their fresh ideas, new energy, and a renewed sense of responsibility to take our country forward," he said.

"The PAP can continue to govern Singapore well only if every generation renews our party with good people who are willing to serve."

Changed world

Pointing out that "we are entering a very different world, a changed world" that is full of geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, PM Wong said politics in many places was no longer about helping societies solve problems.

He added that politicians turned to amplifying outrage to win support, engaging in "performative politics and points scoring over solving serious problems".

Though Singapore has seen some of these tendencies in its own political discourse, PM Wong said the party's answer was to "roll up our sleeves, bridge our divides, and solve problems through our actions", and not to "stoke anger, to deepen divides, or to give in to cynicism".

“So, if you care deeply about Singapore and about our future, if you have ideas about how we can make our country better, then come and join the PAP,” he said at the event.

New initiatives

CNA reported that the event also saw the party's youth wing launching two initiatives — the Young PAP Academy and the YP 40 Under 40 Action Fellowship, which serve as a "launchpad" for the party's next generation of leaders.

The party’s new logo for the youth wing was also unveiled at the event.

The YP40 Festival celebrates the Young PAP's 40 years of advocacy and action for Singapore with the launch of the Young PAP Academy and the YP 40 Under 40 Action Fellowship.

Young PAP activists are supported by the YP 40 Under 40 Action Fellowship through workshops where they can turn their ideas into action, with 40 selected Young PAP activists to be given a S$5,000 project seed grant to realise their plans by mid-2027.

Refused to give in to cynicism

Acknowledging that there will be people who say politics is not worth it, and that nothing will change, PM Wong noted that Singapore was built by young men and women who refused to give in to cynicism.

"They did not feel fully ready, but they stepped forward anyway, and because they did, generations of Singaporeans have enjoyed opportunities that once seemed impossible," he said.

"So I say to everyone, all young Singaporeans, do not lose heart, do not lose faith, do not stand on the sidelines, choose to lead, and choose to take action."