PM Lawrence Wong at the Swearing-In Ceremony (May 2025)

Mr President Friends and colleagues
My fellow Singaporeans
Thank you for joining us tonight.

Let me start with a few words in Malay and Mandarin, before continuing in English.

Malay Speech

Saudara saudari sekalian

Pilihan Raya Umum baru-baru ini merupakan detik bersejarah bagi negara kita. Ia berlangsung pada tahun SG60 dan merupakan yang pertama bagi saya sebagai Perdana Menteri. Ini menandakan satu lembaran baharu untuk kita semua.

Saya amat terharu dan berasa rendah hati dengan mandat jelas yang diberikan rakyat Singapura kepada saya dan pasukan saya.

Dengan sokongan anda, saya telah membentuk pasukan yang terbaik untuk berkhidmat kepada anda dan negara kita. Saya telah memperkukuh pasukan saya dengan menaikkan pangkat dan melantik beberapa anggota baharu, termasuk wakil-wakil masyarakat Melayu. Saya berharap anda akan terus memberikan sokongan padu kepada kami.

Dunia sedang cepat berubah. Akan terdapat berbagai-bagai cabaran. Namun, di sebaliknya, akan tersaji peluang-peluang baharu. Saya dan pasukan saya akan memastikan semua rakyat Singapura siap siaga untuk merebut peluang-peluang ini. Kami akan terus mengeratkan hubungan kami dengan masyarakat Melayu/Islam dan bekerjasama dengan anda untuk merealisasikan wawasan Masyarakat Gemilang.

Kita hidup dalam masyarakat majmuk. Namun, kita rakyat yang bersatu, disatukan oleh nilai-nilai dan aspirasi yang kita kongsi bersama. Marilah kita bersatu untuk menjamin masa hadapan yang lebih cerah untuk semua! Terima Kasih.

Mandarin Speech

各位同胞

对新加坡来说，本月初举行的全国大选意义重大。

今年是我国建国60周年，是时候回顾过去，展望未来。

同时，外在的地缘政治发生巨大变化，动荡不安。

在这个大环境下，新加坡人必须决定，由哪一个团队带领新加坡前进，克服挑战。

这次的大选结果说明，新加坡人清楚的认识到国家面对的严峻挑战，并为此做出了明确的选择，再次给了人民行动党强而有力的委托。

这显示新加坡人上下一心，认同国家的发展方向。

国人以手中的一票，让新加坡成为了本届大选的大赢家。

这也是我出任总理以来的第一场大选。

能够获得国人的信任，我感到十分荣幸。

在此，我衷心感谢大家的支持和鼓励。

有了选民清晰和有力的委托，我们将有信心为新加坡长远的发展进行更全面、更周详的规划。

我已组建了一支具备强大执政能力的内阁团队，以便带领国人应对前方的挑战。

其中，几个关键的部门将继续由经验丰富的部长领导。

第四代领导团队和首次入阁的新成员也将挑起大梁、身负重任。

我们的领导团队必须不断更新换代，让新成员有机会累积经验，证明自己的能力，往后可以肩负更重大的责任。

所以，我们关注的不只是这个任期，而是长远来说，如何培养一批生力军，继续有效地为民服务,领导国家前进。

今后，我和我的团队将与国人进行更多互动，争取和大家同心同德，以便一起实现我们共同的目标和愿景。

我希望大家积极发表意见，提出你们的想法。

我保证，你们的心声，你们的建议，我们一定会细心的聆听，认真的对待。

我们的观点未必相同，但我相信，只要我们都是以国家的利益为出发点，一定能够求同存异，减少分歧。

新加坡的未来，由我们一起携手打造。

我和我的团队会集思广益，和不同背景的国人交流，建设一个更有凝聚力的社会; 让每一位新加坡人都能发挥所长，并得到应有的尊重。

我希望，大家能和我一起为新加坡的未来努力，让我们一同为自己、为家人以及世世代代的新加坡人，打造一个更温馨的家园，一个更光明的未来！

English Speech

Mr President
Friends and colleagues
My fellow Singaporeans

We have just concluded a pivotal General Election.

It took place during SG60 – a major milestone in our nation-building journey.

It unfolded amidst a world gripped by uncertainty and turbulence.

And it was my first election as Prime Minister, and Secretary General of the PAP.

Singaporeans faced some critical choices in this election.

You had to decide the kind of future you wanted – for yourselves, your families, and for Singapore.

You had to choose the people you trust to be your Town Councillors and to represent you in Parliament.

Most importantly, you had to decide on the team that would form the Government and would work with you to write the next chapter of our Singapore story.Singaporeans have given me and my team a clear mandate. The PAP was returned to government with a strengthened majority of 65%. My team and I are humbled and honoured by the trust you have placed in us.

Singaporeans voted for a strong and stable Government, while re-electing opposition MPs in the constituencies they held.

This outcome reflects the collective desire of Singaporeans.

In these uncertain times, you understood what was at stake – our vulnerability and our future.

You chose leaders you could trust, a government you could rely on, and a steady course for our nation’s next phase of development.

The international community and investors would have taken note of these outcomes. They would see a nation that is united – standing firmly behind its leaders, and placing confidence in a government with the strength and security to secure Singapore’s place in an unpredictable world.

The outcome leaves no room for doubt – no one in the world can question the resolve of Singaporeans and the government they have chosen. This is a clear advantage for Singapore, especially in the conduct of our foreign policy.

For that, as your Prime Minister, I am deeply grateful to my fellow citizens.

My government will use our mandate to serve all Singaporeans – regardless of race, language, religion, or political preference. This is our solemn duty.

We will work tirelessly to improve the lives of every Singaporean. We will deliver on our promises.

A Strong Team for Singapore

I have done my utmost to assemble the strongest team I could for Singapore. My new team comprises both experienced ministers who will provide steady hands and new ministers who will provide fresh perspectives and ideas.

I have appointed four key Cabinet ministers to assist me in my work – DPM Gan Kim Yong, and Coordinating Ministers K Shanmugam, Chan Chun Sing and Ong Ye Kung. They will oversee four critical areas – the economy, national security, public services and social policies. They bring a wealth of experience and leadership, and will serve as a steady anchor for our government.

Amongst the ministers, some will continue with their present roles, especially in key areas where continuity and stability are critical. But I have also assigned new roles to others, giving them the opportunity to broaden their exposures.

At the same time, I have reinforced the team with nine new office-holders, including fresh faces from the election, and experienced members from the backbench. I have entrusted them with significant responsibilities. They will be stretched and tested; they will learn the ropes and prove themselves in service to Singapore.

Together, as a team, we pledge to serve Singaporeans to the best of our abilities, with commitment and integrity, with sincerity and humility. We will work with you, to solve problems, overcome challenges, and take Singapore forward.

Our mission is clear: to always put Singaporeans at the centre of all we do, to listen to your concerns, and to respond decisively.

Our Key Priorities

We begin this new term of government in a world that is more uncertain and unpredictable than before.

The conditions that once underpinned our survival, security and success are shifting beneath our feet.

The rules-based international order, which formed the foundation for peace, security and free trade, is fraying. Multilateral cooperation is giving way to a tangle of bilateral and transactional deals, where might often makes right.

The major powers of the world are reassessing their strategies and shifting their positions to secure the upper hand. Competition is intensifying, and smaller countries risk being caught in the crossfire, or being cut out of the conversation altogether.

Singapore will not stand still. We cannot afford to be passive. We must be clear-eyed, proactive and adapt nimbly to the shifting dynamics.

Our first priority is to secure for Singapore an assured place in this changed world.

We will deepen our relations with the major powers, especially America and China. We will stay friends with both, without being caught in their rivalry. We will engage openly and honestly with each, in a consistent and principled manner. Where our interests align, we will work with them. Where they do not, we will stand firm and protect Singapore’s security and sovereignty.

We will strengthen our ties with friends, near and far; and seek new ones in parts of the world, like Africa and South America, where we do not as yet have much presence; and ensure Singapore remains a trusted, reliable and respected voice on the global stage.

In a world of shifting alliances, we will be a steady and constructive partner – one willing and able to contribute to peace and stability, to advance dialogue and fraternity, and support a rules-based global order.

Our goal is not just to navigate this uncertain world, but to help shape it for the better – by working with like-minded partners, upholding shared principles and values, so that small nations too have a place under the sun.

We will steer our economy for the challenges ahead.

We will review and update our economic strategies for this new landscape.

We will work with tripartite partners to develop a new economic blueprint for our next phase, so that we can sustain our competitive edge, and create good jobs for Singaporeans.

In the near term, as global growth slows, we will continue to help businesses and households weather the storm. We will work closely with NTUC to support our workers and jobseekers, so that every Singaporean who is prepared to work is able to secure a job and progress in their careers.

We will press on with Forward Singapore to refresh and strengthen our social compact. This is critical not only because seeking an ever fairer and just society is the right thing to do. But it is also because a society torn by inequalities cannot possibly stand resilient in the face of a more turbulent world.

So, we will enhance our social support system to provide greater assurances to Singaporeans across all life stages – from early childhood to retirement.

This means keeping essential services like education, healthcare and housing accessible and affordable. It also means strengthening support for our seniors, so they can live with dignity, purpose and fulfilment.

We will create more diverse and flexible pathways for Singaporeans to seek “happiness, prosperity and progress”.

Whether you are a student exploring career options, or a mid-career seeking to upskill, or a senior who wishes to continue contributing, there will be opportunities for you. Our aim is for every Singaporean to thrive and flourish on their own terms.

We will deepen mutual understanding and respect between Singaporeans of different ethnic, religious and social backgrounds – strengthening the bonds that unite us.

When issues of race and religion surfaced in this election, we did not allow them to divide us. This shows how far we have come as a society. But it is also a reminder that we cannot take our racial and religious harmony for granted. We will continue to guard these fault lines carefully, and redouble our efforts to build a society where everyone feels respected and valued, and knows they truly belong.

At the same time, we will look beyond the immediate concerns to prepare Singapore for the future.

In particular, we will accelerate our transition to cleaner energy and adapt to the realities of climate change.

We will transform our infrastructure, and create smarter, more connected and greener homes for all Singaporeans.

We will build a global city that is dynamic and vibrant, yet distinctively Singaporean – a great place to live, and one we are all proud to call home.

Above all, we will work shoulder to shoulder with all Singaporeans to write this next chapter of our nation’s story.

We will continue to engage Singaporeans from all walks of life – to hear your hopes and concerns, and to reflect your voices in our policies. Beyond listening, we will actively involve you in creating and implementing solutions that matter to you and your families.

This is how my team and I will govern – in partnership with Singaporeans.

Everyone will have a say in shaping our way forward and building our shared future.

For I firmly believe that a more open and engaged society will strengthen, not weaken, Singapore.

We are not afraid of differing views – we welcome constructive debates. They push us to think harder, plan better, and serve Singaporeans more effectively.

But at the same time, we must always respect one another, and remember that even with our differences, we share more in common with each other.

This consciousness will make us a stronger, more resilient and more united nation.

Conclusion

History has not been kind to small nations like Singapore. We have always been vulnerable, caught between the interests of greater powers.

Yet for 60 years, Singapore has defied the odds.

This was never just a matter of good luck.

It has always been about our courage, our conviction, and our collective will as one people.

And as long as we continue to believe in ourselves, have faith in one another, and work together, we will endure. Singapore will endure. Be it SG100, or even beyond, there will still be Singaporeans – standing strong and free.

And not only will we survive – we will prevail.

And we will keep this little red dot shining brightly – as a beacon of hope, resilience and possibility.

So, my fellow Singaporeans, with courage, imagination and new resolve, let us build a Singapore that is open, inclusive and full of opportunities.

Let us secure a brighter future for ourselves, our families and for generations to come.

Thank you!

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