Latest news with #RulesofPrudence
Online Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- Online Citizen
PM Wong issues 'Rules of Prudence', calls on PAP MPs to serve with honesty and incorruptibility
SINGAPORE: People's Action Party (PAP) Members of Parliament (MPs) must uphold the highest standards of integrity, honesty and incorruptibility, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his first 'Rules of Prudence' letter since assuming office. In the eight-page letter released to the media on 29 May, Wong urged PAP MPs to take ownership of causes they care about and advocate for them with conviction and responsibility. While championing issues that reflect constituents' aspirations or wider national concerns, MPs must go beyond rhetoric, he said. 'You have to research the issues thoroughly, engage diverse stakeholders, understand the trade-offs, and present well-reasoned arguments for improving policies,' wrote Wong, stressing the importance of effective and informed advocacy. The issuance of the 'Rules of Prudence' has been a PAP tradition following each general election. This is Wong's first such letter since becoming Prime Minister and PAP secretary-general. The party recently won 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats with 65.57 per cent of the vote in the general election. While the core principles echoed those laid out in previous editions, particularly the one issued by Lee Hsien Loong in 2020, Wong's letter also highlighted current challenges and expectations, particularly in a more scrutinised and digitally connected political landscape. MPs urged to prepare thoroughly for key parliamentary debates Wong noted that MPs will first speak in Parliament during the upcoming debate on the President's Address, though the date of Parliament's reopening has yet to be announced. Other speaking opportunities include the Budget debate and debates on the budgets of various ministries. '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,' Wong advised. He also emphasised the importance of engaging in robust but respectful parliamentary debate. MPs should be prepared for sharper questioning and must engage opposition members constructively. 'Address the issues and not the person,' he said, cautioning MPs against playing to the gallery. The 15th term of Parliament will feature 12 opposition MPs from the Workers' Party, including two Non-Constituency MPs. Wong addressed the evolving role of social media in political communication. Use social media wisely, not to disparage others, MPs told He urged MPs to embrace digital platforms to share their work and views, and to engage residents directly. However, he warned against using such platforms to disparage others. 'Social media has become a key channel for communication and a primary source of news for many. Use it well, but never to attack or undermine others,' he wrote. The letter reiterated key principles long held by the PAP, including clean government, proper conduct in Parliament, and separating business from politics. MPs were also reminded to maintain respectful relationships with public servants and to avoid exerting undue pressure or bypassing formal procedures. 'Never pressure [public servants] or seek to bypass proper processes,' Wong stated. Wong warns MPs against accepting gifts or favours He cautioned MPs against accepting gifts or favours that may compromise their impartiality. The letter specifically mentioned hampers, entertainment, dinners, and newly, concert tickets, as potential 'social lubricants' used to curry favour. '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,' he wrote. Additional sections of the letter covered topics such as fundraising, financial prudence, and limits on holding directorships. Wong concluded by calling on PAP MPs to conduct themselves with modesty, dignity and decorum. 'In this internet age, you will always be in the public eye. You must win respect, not popularity, to stay the course,' he said.
Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
MPs must separate business and politics, be wary of conflicts of interest: PM Wong
[SINGAPORE] Members of Parliament (MPs) must separate business and politics, and be shrewd in assessing the motives of those who seek to get close to them, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in a customary letter to People's Action Party (PAP) MPs, dated May 28. The letter on 'Rules of Prudence' is traditionally sent by the prime minister to PAP MPs after each general election. PM Wong led the PAP to an improved vote share at the May 3 polls, his first electoral outing since taking the helm a year ago. In a letter largely similar to the one sent after GE2020, PM Wong called on MPs to separate their public political position from their private, professional or business interests. 'Be wary of potential conflicts between these interests and your public duties as MPs,' he urged. Those who are in business, occupy senior management positions in companies or are board directors should be 'especially vigilant', he said. They should not exploit their public position, close contacts with ministers and access to government for their personal interest or benefit of their employers. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up If MPs employed by companies or industry associations make public statements in that capacity, they should be clear that they are not speaking as an MP. Nor should they use Parliamentary questions or speeches to lobby the government on behalf of their businesses or clients. MPs may relay feedback and speak freely to political officeholders, who will 'listen carefully to arguments on principles', PM Wong said. But these officeholders will not 'change individual decisions without very good reasons which they can justify publicly', he added. 'The government must always base decisions on the merits of the issues, and not yield to pressure from interested parties.' 'Stand above' favour or influence MPs will meet many people, noted PM Wong, including 'altruistic, public spirited individuals' who will help serve residents without wanting anything in return. '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,' he warned. He cited concert tickets among the 'countless social lubricants' – alongside gift hampers, dinners and entertainment – that people use to 'ingratiate themselves to MPs'. While PM Wong did not name examples, the letter comes after former transport minister S Iswaran was jailed for 12 months last October, upon pleading guilty to obtaining valuable items – including concert tickets – from Ong Beng Seng, the tycoon behind the Singapore Grand Prix. PM Wong urged MPs to be shrewd in assessing the motives of people who seek to get close to them. In his 2020 letter, then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told MPs to 'at all times be seen to be beyond the influence of gifts or favours'. In this year's letter, PM Wong said: 'Both in conduct and perception, you must stand above any hint of favour or influence.' Directorships Noting that MPs are often invited to serve on the boards of private and publicly listed companies, PM Wong said this shows that PAP MPs' integrity and experience are valued. MPs who are offered directorships must decide for themselves whether to accept, as the party is not in a position to vet or approve them, he said. '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.' MPs must weigh the directorship's possible impact on their political life, he added. The company must understand that MPs will act in their private capacity and not lobby the government. The letter laid out what to consider before taking up a directorship, including how well the MP knows the company and its industry, their fellow directors, and the relationship between shareholders and the company. MPs must also examine if they face conflicts of interest and if so, whether they can manage them. 'If in any doubt, you should decline,' said PM Wong. Every MP must disclose to the prime minister, in confidence, information on directorships and related income, he added. This should be done by May 31 and submitted annually thereafter. Parliament and social media PM Wong's letter also addressed other expectations of PAP MPs, in areas such as their conduct in Parliament and on social media. In Parliament, he called on MPs to 'take ownership of causes or issues' that they feel strongly about and be ready for 'sharper questioning and debate'. In engaging the opposition, MPs should 'address the issues and not the person' and not get 'carried away playing to the gallery'. Meanwhile, social media has become an 'integral' part of daily life, as a key channel of communication and primary source of news for many. He urged MPs to embrace social media to share their views and engage residents. However, it is no substitute for face-to-face engagements, he added. 'You must establish personal bonds with your residents, and attend to their needs in person.' Party reputation The PAP has been able to retain the trust of Singaporeans because of its commitment to honesty and integrity, said PM Wong. 'As PAP MPs, your personal standing can contribute to, or detract from, this high standing of the party as a whole,' he said. Every MP must 'uphold the rigorous standards' of the PAP 'and do nothing to compromise them', he added. 'Never give cause for allegations that you are misusing your position, especially your access to ministers. That would discredit both you and the party.'
AsiaOne
4 days ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
'Be humble in victory': PM Wong sends traditional 'Rules of Prudence' letter to PAP MPs after GE, Singapore News
People's Action Party (PAP) MPs must be humble in victory and serve Singaporeans responsibly, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday (May 29). In an eight-page Rules of Prudence letter traditionally sent to all PAP MPs after the General Election, PM Wong said the ruling party has been given a "clear and strong mandate", and has the responsibility of addressing Singaporeans' concerns and ensuring the Republic "continues to thrive in an increasingly turbulent world". The PAP won 87 out of 97 seats in General Election 2025 and received 65.57% of the popular vote. [[nid:717651]] "Be humble in victory. Always remember that as MPs we are servants of the people, not their masters," he said. PM Wong also said that 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." PAP should also be ready for sharper questioning and debate in Parliament, he added, and MPs should be prepared to engage the Opposition, clarify their interventions and scrutinise their ideas. But he cautioned to 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." Noting that social media is a key communication and a primary source of news for many, PM Wong urged MPs to "make full use" of the different platforms to inform the public about their work, share their views, and engage residents directly. "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," he said. However, he added that social media it is not a substitute for face-to-face engagements, and MPs must establish personal bonds with residents and attend to their needs in person. 'Stand above any hint of favour or influence' In his letter, PM Wong reiterated that a clean and incorruptible government is one of PAP's most precious asset and stressed that every MP must uphold the rigorous standards the party has set. "Never give cause for allegations that you are misusing your position, especially your access to ministers. That would discredit both you and the party," he said. He warned that a few people will seek to obtain benefits or get MPs to influence ministries and statutory boards to make decisions in their favour, and offer gifts or favours. "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." In a Facebook post, PM Wong said integrity, honesty, and incorruptibility are the bedrock of the PAP, and such values have sustained the trust of Singaporeans. "As Members of Parliament, we are first and foremost servants of the people. We will listen with humility, act with conviction, and never break faith with Singaporeans." [[nid:718138]]
