External environment, GE2020 experience, strong groundwork contributed to PAP GE2025 victory: PM Wong
The PAP won 65.57 per cent of the popular vote, in an electoral contest which Mr Wong — who is also the party's secretary-general — said saw 'close calls in several constituencies'.
He was speaking at an appreciation event at Parliament House for the 20 PAP MPs who retired in this year's general election.
He said that Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing is helming the party's after action review for the election, to identify areas the party has done well and where it can improve on next time.
He said the external environment played a part in the PAP's win.
'We said so in our manifesto, that this was a changed world. Many Singaporeans could see that too,' he said. 'They wanted steady and trusted leadership to navigate the challenges ahead, and they voted accordingly.'
The party also learnt from its experience in 2020, said Mr Wong. Back then, the ruling party lost a second Group Representation Constituency.
'We stepped up our efforts in communications and social media, and we ran a more disciplined, coordinated and focused campaign,' he said.
Lastly, the results reflected the hard work that all PAP MPs put in on the ground to take care of residents, explain how the government is helping them, speak up for them in parliament and improve their estates, said Mr Wong.
'It's through your dedication and efforts, that we are able to build trust and lasting bonds with residents,' he said.
Mr Wong also noted that a number of new MPs were 'introduced quite late in the process', which is an area the party can do better in.
GRATEFUL TO RETIRING MPS
Mr Wong noted that the 20 retired MPs served over 280 man years in parliament, something he called a 'tremendous legacy'.
He said that some were eager to pass on the baton, while some asked to step down because of personal reasons, which he respected.
'A number of you could have easily continued for another term. But I had to ask you to make way for renewal and to make way for new blood,' he said, adding that he was grateful for their understanding.
He noted that the retired MPs had contributed significantly, speaking up on a wide range of issues in parliament and also responding to the needs of residents on the ground.
Mr Wong thanked the six political office-holders among the retired group: Mr Heng Swee Keat, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Dr Ng Eng Hen, Dr Maliki Osman, Mr Heng Chee How and Dr Amy Khor.
'I've worked closely with all of you, and I've learnt a great deal from each of you,' he said.
He noted that Mr Teo would be a senior advisor in the Prime Minister's Office, while Mr Heng will continue to chair the National Research Foundation.
Mr Wong also thanked the retired MPs for their efforts in helping to prepare the new candidates ahead of GE2025, so they could hit the ground running from day one.
He also thanked their families and spouses for standing by them during their time in office.
'Being an MP is an all-consuming job. It requires sacrifices not just by the MPs, but also their families,' he said.
QUALITY OF CANDIDATES
This year's general election showed just how much the quality of candidates matters in an election, said Mr Wong.
He said that while Singaporeans care about national issues and pay attention to the quality, values and platform of each party, they also look closely at the character and track record of individuals.
'They ask: Can I trust this person? Can they take care of my family and the estate? Do they truly want to serve for the right reasons?' said Mr Wong.
He emphasised that in many of the closely fought contests, strong PAP candidates made all the difference.
Mr Wong noted that the party fielded 32 new candidates at the May 3 polls, its largest slate in recent memory, with renewal something which had been a key priority of his since becoming PM.
'I personally reached out to many individuals, to engage and persuade them to join us,' he said.
'I'm glad in this election, we've made good progress in renewing our ranks. But renewal is not a one-off exercise. It is a continuing effort. We must continue to be on the lookout for good people to join our cause.'
Mr Wong urged the PAP MPs past and present to help scout and surface names, mentor promising individuals and support their growth towards serving Singapore.
He said it has 'it has never been easy to find such people and it won't get easier'.
The motivations and suitability of new candidates cannot be assessed based on just a few tea sessions or interviews, and they should be brought in earlier, said Mr Wong.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
20 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Asean needs ‘bolder reforms' to attract investments in a more fragmented global economy: PM Wong
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speaking in a video posted to his YouTube channel on July 5. SINGAPORE – Asean must become a more seamless and competitive single market, one that attracts businesses and investments looking for alternatives in a more fragmented global economy. To get there, bolder reforms are needed, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in a video message posted on YouTube on July 5, adding that the association's 10 nations may be limited in scale individually but together have considerable weight. Asean today has 700 million people and it forms the fifth largest economy in the world, and is projected to be the fourth largest by 2030. The next decade will be critical to unlock its full potential, said PM Wong, who has just finished his introductory visits to Asean's capitals, with the exception of Myanmar, which he said he hopes to visit 'when the situation is more conducive'. PM Wong said: 'Continued peace, stability and growth in Asean will transform our entire region – and this will translate to better jobs, opportunities and living standards for all our peoples.' The key to achieving this lies in closer integration amongst Asean economies. PM Wong noted that supply chains across the bloc already span multiple countries, leveraging their complementary strengths. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore CPF members can make housing, retirement and health insurance plans with new digital platform Singapore CPF's central philosophy of self-reliance remains as pertinent as ever: SM Lee Asia Dalai Lama hopes to live beyond 130 years, much longer than predicted Sport Liverpool will move on after Jota's tragic death, but he will never be forgotten Singapore Tan Cheng Bock, Hazel Poa step down from PSP leadership; party launches 'renewal plan' Singapore As her muscles weaken, 26-year-old leans on best friend for strength and support Life Japanese food in Singapore under $20: 5 hawker stalls serving restaurant-quality sashimi and donburi He gave the example of cotton from the Philippines. This could be spun in Thai factories, dyed and sewn in Vietnam and exported to the world. 'This is the kind of cooperation we must strengthen,' he said. To become a more seamless and competitive single market, Asean needs to reduce trade and investment barriers and make it easier for companies to operate across borders, PM Wong said. It also means negotiating a digital economy agreement across the bloc, and linking payment systems Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand have done, he added. The seven other countries in the bloc are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines and Vietnam. Physical infrastructure including rail and power grid connections must also be enhanced and Asean must also deepen its partnership with the rest of the world, PM Wong said. It already has seven Free Trade Agreements with external partners, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – the world's largest trading bloc, he noted. These existing agreements will be upgraded, and Asean is exploring new ones such as with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union. These agreements open doors for businesses and make Asean more connected to global markets, he noted. PM Wong said Malaysia – this year's Asean chair – has been pushing for these reforms and Singapore fully supports these efforts. He added: 'The momentum will continue with the Philippines as chair next year, and when Singapore takes over as chair in 2027 – a milestone year marking ASEAN's 60th anniversary'. PM Wong was most recently in Cambodia where the two countries on July 2 announced they will deepen their collaboration in several areas, including renewable energy, high-quality carbon credits and trade in food products. He prioritised visits to Asean capitals because they are in Singapore's immediate neighbourhood, he said. 'We have close bilateral ties with all its members. And it is in our shared interest to have a strong and united Asean,' he said, adding that Singapore will work closely with these countries as well as others around the world, to keep Asean strong, effective, and relevant for the future. He encouraged all Singaporeans to be 'part of this journey' and to learn more about the region, understand their neighbours and build connections. 'Because Asean's future is our future – and everyone has a role to play,' he said. The world is going through profound changes and geopolitical tensions are rising. But this is not the first time the region has faced uncertainty, PM Wong noted. When the bloc was formed in 1967, the world was also in turmoil – right in the middle of the Cold War, a conflict between the United States and the USSR and their respective allies. PM Wong said: 'Our founding leaders knew we were better off facing challenges together rather than alone.' He quoted Mr S. Rajaratnam, Singapore's first Foreign Minister, who said 'if Asean does not hang together, we will hang separately'. He said: 'So we came together – respecting each other's sovereignty and focusing on mutually beneficial cooperation. 'That unity helped lay the foundations for peace and stability in our region.' The region has seen conflict before and was once an arena for proxy wars by major powers, PM Wong said. 'We do not want that to happen again. Neither can we afford to have disputes divide us,' he added. Instead, Asean must work together to preserve peace and stability and to keep the bloc open and inclusive – a region that is not dominated by any single power, but where all the major powers are engaged and invested, he said.
CNA
3 hours ago
- CNA
Vietnam Q2 GDP growth quickens on strong exports, US trade deal brightens outlook
HANOI: Vietnam's economy grew at a faster pace in the second quarter of this year led by strong exports, in an encouraging sign just days after US President Donald Trump said he would place lower-than-threatened 20 per cent tariffs on many Vietnamese products. Concerns over the Southeast Asian manufacturing hub's outlook had been growing in the run up to the trade deal announced on Wednesday (Jul 2), particularly as the United States is Vietnam's biggest export market. Gross domestic product growth in the April to June quarter accelerated to 7.96 per cent year-on-year, from the 6.93 per cent in the first quarter, government data showed on Saturday. It was just short of Hanoi's full-year growth target of at least 8 per cent. "Economic performance in the first half of this year was positive and close to our target amid global and regional economic uncertainties," the National Statistics Office (NSO) said. Exports were a bright spot in the last quarter, rising 18.0 per cent to US$116.93 billion from a year earlier, while imports were up 18.8 per cent at US$112.52 billion, translating into a trade surplus of US$4.41 billion, the NSO data showed. Industrial production in the period rose 10.3 per cent, while June consumer prices rose 3.57 per cent. Trump announced on Wednesday the United States and Vietnam reached a trade deal, under which Vietnamese goods would face a 20 per cent tariff, with trans-shipments from third countries through Vietnam also facing a 40 per cent levy. Vietnam could import US products with a zero percent tariff. The tariff rates were lower than an initial 46 per cent rate threatened by Trump in April. Vietnam hailed the deal as a boost for business and said negotiators were working to finalise details, as business groups awaited clarity on the finer points to assess the impact of the new tariffs. The United States is the largest export market for Vietnam, a regional manufacturing hub housing several multinational companies such as Samsung Electronics and Foxconn. The United States recorded a trade deficit of US$123 billion with Vietnam last year, one of its highest globally. Vietnam is also home to several Chinese companies, which analysts said are likely the main targets for the 40 per cent tariff on trans-shipments. China is Vietnam's largest two-way trading partner on which it relies heavily for components and materials for its manufacturing industries. Fitch Solutions said in a note on Friday that Vietnam's exports and investment will remain strong for the rest of the year and signalled upside risks for its 2025 GDP growth forecast of 6.4 per cent. "With the new 20 per cent tariff, we think the government will speed up industrial upgrading and shift exports from low-margin goods to higher value-added products such as semiconductors," it said in a note. Dominic Scriven, founder and chairman of investment firm Dragon Capital, said the trade deal is "net-positive" and the potential GDP hit is less severe than feared. "With external trade risk now moderating, attention can return to the country's core growth engine, the domestic and private sector economy," he said.
CNA
6 hours ago
- CNA
Tan Cheng Bock and Hazel Poa step down from PSP's top decision-making body
SINGAPORE: Progress Singapore Party (PSP) announced on Saturday (Jul 5) that party founder Tan Cheng Bock and former secretary-general Hazel Poa have stepped down from its central executive committee, the party's top decision-making body. Dr Tan will be succeeded as party chairman by Mr A'bas Kasmani. Despite their resignations from the committee, both Dr Tan and Ms Poa remain members of the party. They were part of PSP's slate in West Coast GRC during the 2025 General Election. The party also confirmed that treasurer S Nallakaruppan has stepped down from his position but will remain in the party. To refresh its leadership, PSP said it has co-opted three new members into its central executive committee: Mr Sani Ismail, Mr Lawrence Pek and Ms Stephanie Tan. Mr Leong Mun Wai will remain as secretary-general of the party. PSP lost in all six constituencies it contested in the 2025 polls, ending its five-year presence in parliament through Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) seats held by Mr Leong and Ms Poa after their near-win in West Coast GRC in 2020. In particular, PSP's flagship West Coast-Jurong West GRC team – comprising party founder Tan Cheng Bock, Mr Leong, Ms Poa and newcomers Sumarleki Amjah and Mr Ismail – received 39.99 per cent of the vote, losing to a People's Action Party team led by Minister for Education Desmond Lee. In the 2020 General Election, Ms Poa contested under PSP in West Coast GRC West Coast GRC as part of a high-profile PSP team led by Dr Tan, alongside Mr Leong Mun Wai, Mr Nadarajah Loganathan and Mr Jeffrey Khoo. The team garnered 48.32 per cent of the vote – the best performance by a losing opposition team. That led to Ms Poa and Mr Leong being appointed NCMPs, bolstering PSP's visibility and their individual profiles. GE2025 DISAPPOINTMENT Given this, expectations were high going into the 2025 election. The poor showing – an eight-point drop – was met with disappointment within the party. Mr Leong described the results as "very shocking", adding that the PSP would study the results "seriously and humbly" and reconsider how it can gain further trust from Singaporeans. A few days later, he wrote in a Facebook post that the results were "disappointing" but did not signal the end for the party. 'Our call for checks and balances, an inclusive society and fairer opportunities for all remains unshaken. We will regroup, reflect, and return stronger.'
