Letter from PM Lawrence Wong to PAP MPs on Rules of Prudence on 28 May 2025

All PAP MPs

RULES OF PRUDENCE

It is a tradition for the Prime Minister to send a letter on “Rules of Prudence” to all the PAP MPs after every general election. The context each time may be different, but the subject remains constant. Integrity, honesty and incorruptibility are the bedrock of our Party. We must never tire of reminding ourselves of their importance.

Our Party has won 87 out of 97 seats in the just concluded General Election. Overall, the PAP won 65.6% of the votes.

The people have endorsed what we have done in our previous term, and given us a clear and strong mandate. The PAP has been entrusted with a heavy responsibility. Now we must discharge this mandate with conviction and purpose – to tackle the concerns that preoccupy Singaporeans, and to ensure that Singapore continues to thrive in an increasingly turbulent world.

Be humble in victory. Always remember that as MPs we are servants of the people, not their masters. Listen closely to Singaporeans, help them to tackle pressing needs, and express their aspirations and concerns in Parliament and to the Government.

Never break faith with the people. Always carry out our duties responsibly, addressing their worries and advancing their interests. This will help us persuade Singaporeans to support sound policies that serve their own long-term benefit. It will also enable the Government to stay connected with the ground and formulate better policies.

UPHOLDING OUR REPUTATION AND INTEGRITY

The PAP has been able to retain the trust of Singaporeans all these years because of our commitment to honesty and integrity. The PAP’s reputation for clean, incorruptible government is one of our most precious assets.

As PAP MPs, your personal standing can contribute to, or detract from, this high standing of the Party as a whole. I cannot stress strongly enough that every MP must uphold the rigorous standards that we have set for ourselves, and do nothing to compromise them. Never give cause for allegations that you are misusing your position, especially your access to Ministers. That would discredit both you and the Party.

As MPs, you should engage widely with diverse communities and people from all walks of life. In all your interactions, maintain the highest standards of integrity, and ensure honesty and transparency in everything you do.

Throughout your engagements, you will come across many different sorts of people. Many altruistic, public spirited individuals will help you without wanting anything in return, spending time and money to get community projects going and to serve residents.

But a few will seek to cultivate you to obtain benefits for themselves or their companies, to gain respectability by association with you, or to get you to influence ministries and statutory boards to make decisions in their favour. Gift hampers on festive occasions, dinners and entertainment, concert tickets, and personal favours big and small are just some of the countless social lubricants which such people use to ingratiate themselves to MPs and make you obligated to them.

You must be shrewd in assessing the motives of people who seek to get close to you. Both in conduct and perception, you must stand above any hint of favour or influence.

Be scrupulously proper in your contacts with government departments or public officers. As MPs, you will often need to raise issues with government agencies on behalf of your residents. You should speak up for residents and represent them well.

However, do not lobby any ministry or statutory board to make changes to decisions or policies that are not grounded on public interest. Do not raise matters with public officers on behalf of friends, clients, contractors, employers, or financiers to advance their business interests. At all times, engage public servants respectfully. Never pressure them or seek to bypass proper processes.

MPs are often approached by friends, grassroots leaders or proprietors and businessmen to officiate at the openings of their new premises or other business events. They usually offer a gesture in return, such as a donation to a charity or constituency welfare fund. Though it may be awkward to refuse such requests, once you accept one, you will be hard-pressed to draw a line. As a general rule, you should decline invitations to such business events. If you feel you should attend, please seek prior approval from the Whip.

SEPARATING BUSINESS AND POLITICS

Separate your public political position from your private, professional or business interests. Be wary of potential conflicts between these interests and your public duties as MPs.

MPs who are in business, who occupy senior management positions in companies, or who sit on company boards, should be especially vigilant. You must not exploit your public position as Government MPs, your close contacts with the Ministers, or your access to government departments and civil servants, for your personal interest or the benefit of your employers. Your conduct must always be above board.

MPs who are employed by companies or industry associations may at times have to make public statements on behalf of their company or industry association. If you have to do so, make it clear that you are not speaking as an MP, but in your private, professional or business capacity. Do not use Parliamentary questions or speeches to lobby the Government on behalf of your businesses or clients. When you raise matters in Parliament related to your own businesses or your clients, be careful to first declare your pecuniary interest in the issue.

You may, however, relay feedback and speak freely to Ministers and other political office holders who are your Parliamentary colleagues. They will listen carefully to arguments on principles, especially when they relate to the general policy of their Ministries. But they will not exercise their discretion to change individual decisions without very good reasons which they can justify publicly. The Government must always base decisions on the merits of the issues, and not yield to pressure from interested parties.

PARLIAMENT

MPs are expected to attend all sittings of Parliament. Please inform the Whip if you have to leave the Parliament premises while a sitting is on. If you have to be absent from any sitting, seek permission from the Government Whip and apply for leave of absence from the Speaker, with copies to the Leader of the House and the Government Whip. If you travel abroad, you should also inform the Whip where you can be reached while abroad.

PAP MPs should express their views frankly, whether for or against Government policies. Take ownership of causes or issues that you feel strongly about – whether they reflect the aspirations of your constituents or address broader national concerns. Champion the issues, and do so with conviction. Effective advocacy goes beyond speaking up. You have to research the issues thoroughly, engage diverse stakeholders, understand the trade-offs, and present well-reasoned arguments for improving policies.

For this new term, your first opportunity to speak in Parliament will be during the debate on the President’s Address at the Opening of Parliament. Following that, there will be other opportunities to speak, including at the Budget Debate and Committee of Supply. Make every opportunity count. Prepare your speeches carefully and deliver them clearly. This will help your audience and the media to grasp your points effectively.

We must also be ready for sharper questioning and debate in Parliament. Press your points vigorously, and do not shy away from robust exchanges. Be prepared to engage the Opposition, to clarify their interventions and scrutinise their ideas. But always exercise good judgement – put your points across with clarity and purpose, address the issues and not the person, and do not get carried away playing to the gallery.

Bring out questions and issues that Singaporeans and your constituents have concerns about, and ground chatter for the Government to address, but avoid unwittingly lending credence to baseless gossip. This will show that you and the Party are in touch with the ground, and speaking up for Singaporeans. Bringing up pertinent issues and questions in a timely manner helps Ministers to put across the facts, explain the reasons for policies and decisions, and maintain public confidence in the openness and integrity of our government.

Your honest, informed views are an important political input to Ministers when they formulate and review policies. Ministers will accept valid, constructive suggestions, but they have to challenge inaccurate or mistaken views. We need to show the public that PAP backbenchers are as effective as opposition MPs, if not better, at holding Ministers to account, getting issues fully debated, and influencing policies for the better.

GIFTS

You should not accept gifts which might place you under obligations that conflict with your public duties. You must declare all gifts, other than personal gifts from close friends or relatives, to the Clerk of Parliament who will have the gifts valued. If you wish to keep the gifts, you must pay the Government for them at the valuation price.

FUND-RAISING

Party Branches can only raise funds on their own with the Organising Secretary’s permission. They should also ensure that they comply with all relevant laws and regulations on political donations.

Constituency and grassroots organisations will from time to time need to raise funds, e.g. to build a new community club or to sponsor community events. But even for these non-political purposes, be careful. Make an effort to gather multiple small contributions, rather than depending heavily on a few large donors. Check on the background of the donors. Avoid incurring obligations which may expose you to awkward requests later.

FINANCIAL PRUDENCE

As MPs, you should manage your personal financial affairs prudently. Do not over-extend yourself or allow your financial position to become precarious. This can not only cause personal embarrassment, but also expose you to pressure or blackmail. In particular, be careful about making major financial commitments that assume you will continue to receive your MP’s allowance. While many MPs do serve several terms, there is no guarantee that you will automatically be fielded in future General Elections, or that if fielded you will definitely be re elected. There is neither tenure nor job security in politics.

DIRECTORSHIPS

MPs are often invited to serve on the Boards of private and publicly listed companies. It shows that the private sector values PAP MPs’ integrity and experience, and reflects the high standing of PAP MPs in general. The Party permits MPs to serve as company directors, provided you keep your private and public responsibilities rigorously separate, and your private appointments do not compromise your duties and performance as an MP.

The public will closely scrutinise your involvement in companies, because you are a PAP MP. Conduct your business activities so as to bring credit to yourself and to the Party. Adverse publicity on your performance as a director, or lapses in the companies you are associated with, will tarnish your reputation as an MP and lower public regard for the Party.

You should not solicit Directorships in any companies, lest you appear to be exploiting your political position to benefit yourself.

Some grassroots leaders are businessmen who own or manage companies. You should not sit on any boards of companies owned or chaired by grassroots leaders appointed by you, so as to avoid the perception that you are obligated to them or advancing their business interests.

If you are offered a Directorship, you have to decide for yourself whether to accept. The Party is not in a position to vet or approve such decisions. Turn down directorships where you feel unable to make a significant contribution, or feel that the company is hoping to benefit from your status and connections as a PAP MP.

If you are considering accepting, weigh the possible impact of the Directorship on your political life. Ensure that the company understands that you are doing so strictly in your private capacity, and will not use your public position to champion its interests, or lobby the government on its behalf.

Make every effort to familiarise yourself with the business, track record and background of the key promoters of the company. Just like anyone else contemplating a Directorship, you should ask yourself:

a. How well do you know the company, its business strategy, financial status, shareholding structure and the underlying industry?

b. Do you know your fellow directors, the way the Board and its committees fulfil their responsibilities, the reporting structure between Board and Management and the relationship between shareholders and the company?

c. Do you have sufficient industry, financial or professional expertise to fulfil your expected role and responsibilities as a Director? Do you understand your obligations under the law and the Code of Corporate Governance? Will you be able to discharge your fiduciary duties properly and without fear or favour?

d. Will you face any conflicts of interest, and if so, can you manage them?

If in any doubt, you should decline.

DECLARATION OF DIRECTORSHIPS AND INCOME

Every MP should disclose to me, in confidence, your directorships, business and professional interests, your latest employment and monthly pay, all retainers and fees that you are receiving, and whether your job requires you to get in touch with officers of Government Ministries or statutory boards on behalf of employers or clients. Detailed reporting requirements are listed in the Annex. This should be done by 31 May, and submitted annually thereafter.

Office holders need not do so because you are subject to the reporting requirements of the Code of Conduct for Ministers.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It is a key channel for communication and a primary source of news for many.

You should embrace social media, and make full use of the different platforms, to let the public know about your work, share your views, and engage residents directly.

In doing so, always be mindful you are a public figure elected by your residents. Uphold decorum and ensure everything you post is factually accurate – this is an absolute requirement for us. Remember that every post you make will be permanently associated with you and the Party.

Be honest, empathetic, and constructive in all your messages. Know your audience and be sensitive to how they feel. Do not use social media to attack or disparage others.

While social media can help build connections, it is no substitute for face-to-face engagements. You must establish personal bonds with your residents, and attend to their needs in person.

IMPORTANT PUBLIC OCCASIONS

On certain occasions, like the National Day Parade and the Investiture Ceremony for National Day Awards, the whole Establishment, i.e. the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary, will be present. Those who cannot attend must have very good reasons. Those who have accepted the invitation must attend, otherwise they leave empty seats, which reflects poorly on them and the Party.

At all public functions and constituency events, punctuality is of paramount importance.

GENERAL BEHAVIOUR

The PAP has held our position in successive elections because our integrity has never been in doubt, and because we are sensitive to the views and attitudes of the people we represent. MPs must always uphold the high standards of the Party, and not have lifestyles or personal conduct that will embarrass themselves and the Party. Any slackening of standards, or show of arrogance or indifference, will erode confidence in the MP, and ultimately in the Party and Government. New MPs can pick up the dos and don’ts from older MPs. Always conduct yourselves with modesty, decorum and dignity. In this internet age, you will always be in the public eye. You must win respect, not popularity, to stay the course.

MEDIA PUBLICITY

I am releasing a copy of this letter to the media so that the public knows the high standards we demand of PAP MPs.

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