Don't inflame sensitive issues or use domestic politics to divide Singapore: PM Wong

Whatever the differences, we are Singaporeans first, he says at first PAP rally

- Goh Yan Han

Do not inflame sensitive issues or use domestic politics to divide Singaporeans, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said to opposition parties in his first rally speech as head of government.

Whatever the differences, "we are all Singaporeans first and foremost", he said.

There will be many external forces that will pull the population in different directions – such as the war in Europe and the war in Gaza in the Middle East – and people will have differing views about these global developments.

"Under normal circumstances, we can discuss them, and we can forge a national consensus, but in the heat of an election campaign, it is easy for issues to get stirred up.

"If we are not careful, this can be exploited, and we will end up pitting Singaporeans one against another, we will end up dividing and weakening us," said PM Wong.

"Let's make sure that in everything we do, we always uphold multiracial politics. Do not inflame sensitive issues. There must be unity," he said on the second day of the hustings.

Make sure that politics stop at the water's edge when it comes to national interests, Singapore's sovereignty and security, and its place in the world, he said.

PM Wong was speaking in his first physical rally as prime minister and secretary-general of the PAP, at Woodlands Stadium in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.

His fellow constituency running mate, Senior Minister of State for Defence and Manpower Zaqy Mohamad, had made similar points earlier in the rally.

Mr Zaqy said that he had seen politics become a source of division across the world, including among those who are pro-LGBT and anti-LGBT, pro-abortion and pro-life, pro-Palestine and pro-Israel.

"We all have our belief systems, we all have our principles. We all also have our personal hurt and grievances as politicians, we too face personal conflicts when we have to put national interests first," he said.