Governing means confronting politically difficult issues, not just balancing interests: PM Wong

The People's Action Party (PAP) secretary general, Lawrence Wong, emphasized at a recent conference that governance is about confronting politically difficult issues, not merely balancing competing interests. In his remarks at the PAP's Awards and Conference, Wong warned against the temptation to offer simplistic solutions and advocated for confronting difficult realities instead.

He cited several contentious issues, including housing, manpower, and political salaries, that the party must address head-on. Wong explained that the politically convenient option would be to avoid these issues and leave them to the next administration, but his party could not do this as it affects Singapore's ability to build a strong political leadership team for the future.

Wong highlighted that as the governing party, the PAP cannot shy away from difficult decisions, even if they are unpopular or come with negative consequences. He stressed that postponing a difficult decision only passes the problem on to those who follow, often leaving them with harder choices later. Instead, the party must have the courage to act, not just for Singaporeans today but also for future generations.

In addressing these complex issues, the PAP's approach is guided by principles such as listening carefully, explaining trade-offs honestly, making decisions, and taking responsibility for their consequences. Wong also noted that beyond addressing immediate concerns, Singapore must prepare for the future by anticipating problems and acting before they become more challenging to solve.