SINGAPORE GE2025: PM WONG'S PUBLIC TRUST RELIES ON HIS RESPONSE TO ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

By Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 (Bernama) -- Public confidence in Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in the 2025 General Election (GE2025) is expected to hinge on his ability to address the increasingly pressing economic issues facing the people.

"Wong, known as a technocratic figure with a strong background in finance and effective communication during the COVID-19 crisis, now faces the challenge of building charisma and public confidence — qualities that were strengths of previous People's Action Party (PAP) leaders," Universiti Malaya sociopolitical analyst, Datuk Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi, said to Bernama.

"Public confidence in Wong depends on his ability to address economic issues affecting the people, such as income inequality, concerns over labour market openness, and challenges in the public housing sector," he said.

At the same time, Singapore’s political landscape has also seen the rise of the opposition, particularly the Workers’ Party (WP), which made history by winning the Sengkang GRC in GE2020.

That success is seen as an early signal of a deeper socio-political change.

According to Awang Azman, the rise of the WP reflects the maturity of young voters who are increasingly bold in challenging the PAP's dominance.

"Factors such as increased political awareness, access to social media, and domestic issues that are close to the hearts of the people have acted as catalysts for the shift in voter sentiment."

"The rise of the opposition is the seed of long-term change, not merely a temporary wave," he said.

However, Awang Azman cautioned that changes in Singapore are still happening slowly, as the institutional structure remains biased towards the PAP, including electoral boundaries, control over the mainstream media, and limited civil space.

"For Wong, the true test of his leadership is not just continuing the PAP legacy, but whether he can rebuild the trust of the new generation and maintain stability in an increasingly competitive political landscape," said Awang Azman.

-- BERNAMA