Keep populism at bay, or there will be dire, lasting implications: Ong Ye Kung

In the face of emerging populist ideals globally, Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Ong Ye Kung has warned against politics that seek to divide, and called for populism to be kept at bay.

- Anjali Raguraman Correspondent

Singapore came “dangerously close to mixing race and religion” during the 2025 General Election, said Mr Ong, speaking in Parliament on day two of the debate on the President’s Address on Sept 23.

He recalled how, during GE2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had to intervene in the midst of the hustings to remind political parties to keep race and religion out of the political space.

This happened after several foreigners had urged Singaporeans to vote along religious lines.

“If things had played out differently, there would have been dire and lasting implications for the unity, harmony and the very fabric of Singaporean society,” said Mr Ong in a 30-minute speech outlining lessons from the election.

“Let’s not think Singapore is immune to populism,” he added, pointing out that in 2021 it had played out in that very Chamber.

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) had alleged that Singapore’s Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with India had given professionals from India “a free hand” to work here, putting Singaporean professionals seeking employment at a disadvantage.

“It was a seductive and simplistic argument, which took on an ugly racial tone,” he recalled, with websites with xenophobic views emerging.

It required intervention from various ministers, like Mr Ong himself, who delivered a ministerial statement to clear the air on how free trade agreements work, and debated with the PSP.

“The best defence against populism is public rejection of it,” said Mr Ong, adding that this was what played out during GE2025.