In an address at the PAP70 conference, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong outlined his vision for deepening the symbiotic relationship between the PAP and NTUC.
The People’s Action Party (PAP) and NTUC link will be vital in renewing the Government’s social compact with Singaporeans, refreshing the Singapore Dream, and giving every Singaporean a better tomorrow, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
He was speaking to some 3,000 attendees on 24 November 2024, on the second day of the PAP70 conference at the Singapore Expo.
The Prime Minister also thanked the Labour Movement for its support and partnership with the PAP.
He said: “Our system works because of the strong tripartite partnership we’ve forged over many decades. The partnership is underpinned by the symbiotic ties between the PAP and NTUC … We share your conviction that Every Worker Matters, and we will continue to advance the wellbeing of all workers in Singapore.”
While it was not Mr Wong’s first speech at the annual conference, it was his maiden speech to the party as Prime Minister.
Contrarily, the conference marked the last time that Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong would be addressing the party as its Secretary-General.
Mr Lee said: “After Comrade Lawrence becomes secretary-general, I intend to continue on in the CEC, in a supporting and advisory role … I will do my best to support the new Secretary General, offer him the benefit of my experience [and] help him to strengthen the party and mobilise support from Singaporeans, to collectively tackle the problems and challenges ahead.”
As PAP’s new secretary-general, Mr Wong vowed to renew and strengthen the party.
“I will put together the best team to serve our people and nation. I will deepen the symbiotic ties between the PAP and NTUC. Together, we will fight to win the hearts and minds of our fellow citizens and earn their support and trust through our actions,” he said.
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Desmond Choo was heartened by Mr Wong’s speech. He shared that NTUC is the PAP’s most trusted partner, and the Prime Minister reinforced that in his speech.
“The inclusive relationship showcased by PM is going to help the workforce to navigate through potentially choppy times,” said Mr Choo.
In response to the media if the Income-Alliance incident had dampened the NTUC-PAP relationship, NTUC Vice-President Abdul Samad Abdul Wahab said: “In every relationship, there will always be its ups and downs. But we will go through this together because, at NTUC, we also look at the good things the Government has done for our workers.”
NTUC Central Committee Member Sanjeev Tiwari said he was heartened to know the importance Mr Wong places on the PAP-NTUC symbiotic relationship.
“We look forward to the actionable in deepening that relationship,” he said.
The party had also elected its new CEC for 2025-2026 at the conference.
After tabulating the results, the new CEC include Lawrence Wong, Lee Hsien Loong, Heng Swee Keat, Grace Fu, K Shanmugan, Desmond Lee, Chan Chun Sing, Ong Ye Kung, Indranee Rajah, Vivan Balakrishnan, Edwin Tong, Masagos Zulkifli, Chee Hong Tat (co-opted) and Tan See Leng (co-opted).
On the first day of the two-day event, the party reflected on its 70-year service to the nation.
The party also reaffirmed its commitment to be the party for all Singaporeans, one that puts the interests of Singaporeans first.
PAP Chairman Heng Swee Keat said: “Let us remember that our core values remain as relevant now as when the party was first founded. Let us live up to our name as a party of action, by Singaporeans for Singaporeans.”
The party also paid tribute to Mr Lee Hsien Loong, who had served the party since 1984, leading 10 successive Central Executive Committees (CEC) over a 20-year period.
Meanwhile, 448 party members were also recognised for their unwavering dedication towards Singaporeans.
