'We will lead in our own way': Lawrence Wong takes office as fourth Prime Minister of Singapore

SINGAPORE: Deeply ingrained with principles and values that forged the nation, Singapore's fourth generation of leaders will "lead in our own way" with a leadership style that is different from previous generations, said newly sworn-in Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday (May 15).

Calling it his mission to continue defying the odds and sustaining the Singapore miracle, albeit in a much-changed world, Mr Wong said: “My generation’s story is the story of independent Singapore. Our lives are testimony to the values that forged our nation: Incorruptibility, meritocracy, multiracialism, justice and equality.”

They are beneficiaries of the imaginative policies of the country’s founding fathers, which have been pursued resolutely and patiently over decades, he said.

“Shaped by these experiences, our leadership style will differ from that of previous generations,” said Mr Wong in his first address as the country's leader, after he was sworn in by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon.

“We will lead in our own way. We will continue to think boldly and to think far. We know that there is still much more to do … and the best chapters of our Singapore Story lie ahead.”

Mr Wong, 51, took his oath of office on the front lawn of the Istana, which marked the third handover of leadership in the country’s 59-year history.

He replaced Mr Lee Hsien Loong, who led the country for 20 years and is now Senior Minister in his successor’s first Cabinet line-up.

The ceremony was attended by more than 800 people, including students and teachers, unionists and business leaders, athletes and artists, and community volunteers and frontliners. These people “embody the rich fabric of our nation”, Mr Wong said.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam witnessed the ceremony.

Along with Mr Wong, his deputies Mr Gan Kim Yong and Mr Heng Swee Keat were also sworn in.

The two Senior Ministers, Mr Lee and Mr Teo Chee Hean, also took their oaths with the other Ministers, as well as the nine Senior Ministers of State and five Ministers of State. The Senior Parliamentary Secretaries will be sworn in at a separate session on May 24.

FINDING COMMON GROUND

In his speech, Mr Wong said that seeking pragmatic compromises and finding as much common ground as possible between communities is an ethos that will guide his team.

"When issues arise between communities, and from time to time, they will - we do not accentuate our differences. Instead, we accept them. We seek pragmatic compromises and find as much common ground as possible. We do so always in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust," he said. 

“This is how we will continue to evolve and strengthen our Singapore identity. It's never about subtracting, but always about adding. It's never about contracting, but always about expanding.”

This collective striving for unity saw the country through the COVID-19 pandemic, which was the crisis of our generation, said Mr Wong.

The new Prime Minister said the key to the country’s success has been the high level of trust Singaporeans have in each other and the ability to work well together.

Singapore has always been a diverse country with many races, religions and languages, and more so now than before, he said.

“Yet we've strengthened our bonds as one people. We have achieved this not by denying our differences, but by embracing them.

“We have ensured that every community, every religion and every linguistic group, big or small, feels included, respected and valued.”

When issues arise between communities from time to time, the differences between the groups are accepted, instead of accentuated, said Mr Wong.

ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

Paying tribute to the previous generations of leaders, Mr Wong said: “As we write the next chapters, we are not starting from scratch. We stand on the shoulders of giants.”

Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and his team led the country through independence and established the key pillars of governance, while its second Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and his team nurtured a kinder and gentler society, said Mr Wong.

“These are important foundations we will build on,” he said.

Mr Wong also thanked his predecessor Mr Lee, whom he said “devoted every measure of his being to the service of our country and people” in his lifetime of public service over half a century.

Under his stewardship, Singapore navigated external as well as domestic changes, and overcame multiple crises, said Mr Wong.

“Mr Lee spoke often of the need to keep Singapore exceptional. He was exceptional himself in his devotion, his selflessness, and his dedication to serve. We owe him a great debt of gratitude,” he said of his predecessor.

A PROMISE TO SINGAPOREANS

In his speech, Mr Wong said he is determined to help Singaporeans realise their dreams.

“With our tripartite partners, we will continue to build a vibrant economy and create good jobs for all,” he said.

“We will find new ways to be more productive and innovative, and achieve a better balance where work is purposeful, and life is meaningful.”

Mr Wong said his team will foster a fairer and more just and equal society, where seniors, the vulnerable and those with special needs will be looked after.

Singaporeans, regardless of their start points in life, age or ability, will be given the support to uplift themselves and lead fulfilling lives, he said.

While his team will do more in all these areas, Singaporeans too have to play a part to support their fellow citizens, said Mr Wong.

“Then we can build a Singapore where everyone succeeds in being the best possible versions of themselves. We can be a people, who are more inclusive, gracious and big-hearted,” he said.

“We can be a society where every Singaporean matters. And a Singapore that matters to every Singaporean.”

Mr Wong noted that there are no easy formulas or available models to follow in pursuing such ambitious goals. “We will have to experiment, discover fresh solutions and blaze new paths.”

While there are some who will doubt Singapore’s ability to go further, such scepticism is nothing new, and the country will prove its doubters wrong again, said Mr Wong.

“When the going gets tough, we do not crumble. We press on, with faith in our fellow citizens and in Singapore's future,” he said.

Mr Wong said that he will bring such a spirit of determination and hard work to his new role.

“This is my promise to all Singaporeans: I will serve you with all my heart. I will never settle for the status quo. I will always seek better ways to make tomorrow better than today,” he said.

“My mission is clear: To continue defying the odds and to sustain this miracle called Singapore. So that we can reach even greater heights. So that we can be a beacon of hope and unity for ourselves and our children.”

TOUGH EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Mr Wong also noted that while Singapore is in a strong position currently, the world is in flux, with geopolitical tensions and rampant nationalism everywhere.

“For 30 years since the Cold War ended, we enjoyed unprecedented peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. Unfortunately, that era is over. It will not return. Now we face a world of conflict and rivalry,” he said.

The competition between the great powers to shape a new global order will likely stretch for years, if not decades, said Mr Wong.

Singapore cannot escape these powerful cross-currents as a small country and must adapt to a "messier, riskier and more violent world", he said.

Singapore values the centrality of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its efforts to foster regional cooperation and integration, and will also continue engaging both the United States and China while hoping for stable relations between the two.

“We will strengthen our partnerships, near and far, and advance Singapore's interests, so as to better shape outcomes for ourselves as well as the world.”

TAKING SINGAPORE FORWARD

Mr Wong called on Singaporeans to join him and his team in the journey forward. 

“Everyone will have a stake in our nation's progress. Everyone will play a key role in shaping our future," he said.

“Let us unite with common purpose and shared resolve. Let us take Singapore forward, together.”

On Wednesday, the Istana crowd was also serenaded by local singers Linying, Sezairi Sezali, Shye-Anne Brown and Shabir Tabare Alam, with the song The Road Ahead, which was the theme song for the National Day Parade in 2021.

After the swearing-in, a video about Mr Wong’s life journey was played, taking the audience from his birth in 1972, when Singapore was a young nation with a population of just over 2 million, to the present day.

In the video, Mr Wong said: “If you asked me 30 years ago, if I had envisaged all this, my answer is no. My father, who died three years ago, would certainly have been surprised that a son of someone of his background could become Prime Minister.”

Mr Wong said he alone cannot ride today’s challenges – climate change, the rise of artificial intelligence and complex geopolitical tensions – and tap on opportunities for Singapore to thrive and prosper.

“I need the help of all my colleagues, my fellow citizens, young and old, in every community and every profession. Each and every one of you. Much as we have accomplished, there is still much more to do,” he said in the video.