As the political contest intensifies ahead of the General Election 2025, Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong have locked horns over the ruling party’s political style and treatment of opposition-held constituencies, laying bare their contrasting visions for Singapore’s future.
During a recent WP rally, Pritam Singh accused the People’s Action Party (PAP) of practising “negative politics,” claiming this behaviour is embedded in the party’s “DNA.”
He alleged that the PAP has historically undermined opposition town councils, citing the continued presence of losing PAP candidates at citizenship ceremonies, while duly elected opposition MPs were excluded. Singh also referenced the long-standing issue of community club access being denied to opposition MPs, and past policies where opposition wards were deprioritised for HDB upgrading.
However, Singh acknowledged that changes have been made. Today, municipal upgrades are rolled out concurrently in both PAP and opposition wards. “At the same time” — those were his words, suggesting the government has moved toward more equitable treatment. But he implied this shift was driven by political pressure from the opposition.
PM Lawrence Wong responded firmly at a PAP rally the next day, rejecting Singh’s characterisation of the party’s governance style. “The PAP’s DNA,” he said, “is about bringing Singaporeans together, unity, and forging a much stronger Singaporean identity today.”
He cited the repeal of Section 377A and the policy change allowing Muslim nurses to wear the tudung as examples of how the PAP listens to different voices, builds consensus, and navigates sensitive social issues with care. The party’s goal, Wong said, is not to exploit differences but to expand common ground. “We try to forge as wide a national consensus as possible… so as not to accentuate our differences,” he said.
Addressing Singh’s remarks on town council treatment and municipal upgrading, PM Wong clarified that earlier policies were based on queuing and prioritisation, not punishment. He conceded, however, that public feedback had led to policy shifts. “Even Singaporeans themselves have highlighted that they feel there can be a better way of allocating and prioritising. We listen to every voice,” he said.
Still, he expressed disappointment at what he called the opposition’s “negative attacks,” particularly those aimed at Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and the PAP team. Wong urged voters not to be swayed by divisive rhetoric, noting that the true test of leadership is character, not loudness. He cautioned that having more opposition voices in Parliament does not automatically translate to better outcomes. “It’s not just about how many voices there are — it’s the quality of the debate, the ideas, and the integrity of the leaders that matter.”
As the country heads toward GE2025, the PAP is positioning itself as a party of steady leadership, pragmatic governance, and unity, while the WP casts itself as the necessary counterbalance, challenging the PAP’s dominance and calling out what it sees as unfairness and political manoeuvring.
PM Wong concluded with a call to Singaporeans: to vote for leaders who are honest, trustworthy, and capable, not just of speaking up, but of standing up for the nation’s long-term future.
