PAP must carry forward mandate with purpose, says Desmond Lee

S'poreans showed their trust in the party in GE2025 and it must be cherished, he says

- Chin Soo Fang Senior Correspondent

Former labour chief Lim Swee Say being congratulated by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Education Minister Desmond Lee during the PAP Awards and Convention 2025 at Singapore Expo on Nov 9. Mr Lim received the highest honour for his contributions to upholding tripartism, and service to the party and Singapore over the past 29 years.

(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)

The PAP must continue working with Singaporeans to navigate change and uncertainty, and deepen the trust it has built over generations, said Education Minister and party chairman Desmond Lee on Nov 9.

The party's exercise in 2024 to refresh itself to "engage wider, communicate better and organise stronger" was not a one-off, but signalled a long-term commitment to strengthen how it listens, serves and connects with Singaporeans, he added.

Speaking at the PAP Awards and Convention 2025 on Nov 9 at the Singapore Expo, Mr Lee said Singaporeans had given the party their trust and confidence during the May general election.

The PAP increased its nationwide vote share from 61.24 per cent in 2020 to 65.57 per cent at GE2025.

"(Singaporeans) wanted unity, progress and stability. It is a trust that we must carefully cherish and protect," he added.

"For 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. So our responsibility is clear: to carry this mandate with humility and purpose, and to keep Singapore exceptional in an increasingly fractured world."

In his first public speech since becoming party chairman in May, Mr Lee said the PAP's work is guided by the Forward Singapore agenda led by its fourth-generation leadership.