Prime Minister hails Singaporeans' rejection of identity politics

Singaporeans can draw strength from results and look ahead to future with confidence, he says

- Goh Yan Han

The strong mandate that Singaporeans gave the PAP will put the nation in a better position to face the current turbulent world, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on May 4.

"It is a clear signal of trust, stability and confidence in your government," he said, about an hour after the PAP was returned to power, winning a vote share of 65.57 per cent.

The WP gave the PAP a tough fight as expected and will now have an increased and continued strong presence in Parliament, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

This will also give the WP the opportunity to refresh some members in its slate, he added, noting that the opposition party had fielded a strong line-up of candidates and had many young people with a "desire to contribute and serve".

The WP will have 10 elected seats and two Non-Constituency MP seats if it chooses to accept them, PM Wong said at a post-election press conference in the early hours of May 4.

This means it will have 12 MPs in the 15th term of Parliament, up from 10 now.

The WP retained Aljunied and Sengkang GRCs, as well as Hougang SMC. Its candidates in Jalan Kayu SMC and Tampines GRC were also the losers with the highest percentages of votes, earning them the two NCMP seats.

PM Wong added that he respects the opposition's presence in Parliament.

"I have always taken their suggestions and views seriously, and I will continue to do so," he said.

"So, I look forward to the contributions of opposition members in Parliament, because Parliament is where key national issues are discussed. And I am sure we will have constructive and robust debates there."

On some issues, the PAP and the opposition may have to agree to disagree, he said.

But at the same time, they must — where critical national issues are concerned — uphold a shared responsibility to come together and to advance Singapore's interests together, he added.