SINGAPORE
“Lawrence Wong is the responsible Singaporean politician. He was born on December 18, 1972, Wong is a member of people action party (PAP) who has serve a many key roles in the government of a member of Parliament since 2011. He also held a Multiple Ministerial Position, in which include the Finance Minister, Education Minister, as well as National Development Minister. he is also appointed a deputy prime minister.”
1. Despite the cabinet reshuffle on May 13, there was minimal actual movement of positions. Former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long will continue to serve in the cabinet as a Senior Minister, alongside other senior leaders from the older generation. This departure from tradition suggests that Lee will still hold influence over Wong’s governance.
2. In 2019, Wong’s chances of becoming the Prime Minister seemed unlikely. However, due to a series of events including DPM Heng Swee Keat’s withdrawal and the COVID-19 pandemic, Wong’s fortunes changed. He gained public recognition as co-chair of the government’s pandemic task force and eventually won the internal cabinet vote in 2022 to secure the top job.
3. The People’s Action Party (PAP) consistently wins elections with a 60-70% vote share, which is considered a landslide in Western countries, leading to introspection within the ruling party. The PAP views these vote share numbers as crucial for its public legitimacy, especially in the context of Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs). Despite being seen as untouchable in the past, the Opposition managed to secure two GRCs in the 2011 and 2020 elections, resulting in the removal of PAP MPs and cabinet ministers.
4. Wong’s foreign policy faces the challenge of maintaining neutrality on the international stage. Singapore relies heavily on China for trade, but the United States is its crucial security partner. Singapore grants the US Seventh Fleet access to naval bases and intelligence in exchange for American weaponry. The complexity of Singapore’s position is further complicated by investments, a predominantly Chinese population, and the presence of tech company headquarters from both the US and China. China has snubbed Singapore diplomatically, including seizing armored vehicles in 2016 and 2017.
5. Wong and his party advocate for continuity, but the direction of Wong’s tenure remains uncertain, particularly in terms of progressive social policies to address the challenges of an aging population and the high cost of living in Singapore. There are expectations for Wong to navigate the balance between Singapore’s pro-business stance and the need for social policies, as well as the pressures for political openness in state-society relations. Similar to previous Prime Ministers, Wong has pledged a more open and consultative style of governance, but critics remain skeptical based on the track records of his predecessors Goh Chok Tong and Lee Hsien Long.
