And we said our country’s politicians are not up with the times; our new Prime Minister just attended an afterparty and took “Singapore’s biggest wefie” with a crowd of more than 1,000 residents.
On 15 May 2024, Mr Lawrence Wong, fresh after being sworn in as Singapore’s fourth Prime Minister at the Istana, was welcomed with jubilant cheers in Yew Tee, where people gathered to watch his swearing-in in real time.
It had to take PM Wong more than five minutes to make his way from his car to the stage, a mere 30 meters away, as he slowly made his way through a crowd eager for photos and handshakes.
Since 2015, PM Wong has served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC. As such, he poetically made Yew Tee his first stop as Prime Minister, arriving around 10:30PM.
“I decided to rush from the Istana tonight because I wanted my first event as prime minister of Singapore to be with all of you, the residents of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC,” PM Wong said, adding that he will continue to serve as their MP.
“We inherit a Singapore that our forefathers built, and it’s now our turn to take Singapore forward and make it even better,” he said in a speech to the residents.
Accompanying the Prime Minister were fellow Members of Parliament North West District Mayor Alex Yam, Senior Minister of State for Defence and Manpower Zaqy Mohamad, and Ms Hany Soh.
“The best days of Singapore are still ahead of us, and the best chapters of our Singapore story are yet to come. Let’s work together to build a better Singapore,” concluded PM Wong
After his speech, PM Wong stayed for about half an hour to greet the residents who had gathered outside the tent set up for the watch party.
People Were Gathering From as Early as 6PM
The event at Yew Tee, dubbed as “May Day Sing Along”, saw attendees arriving from as early as six in the evening.
True to Singapore’s kiasu fashion, everyone was eager to get a good seat and secure a good view of both the stage and the giant LED screen.
Inflatable clappers, fans, and light sticks were placed on hundreds of seats, creating a festive vibe.
While waiting for the ceremony to begin, the people in Yew Tee enjoyed a mix of English and Mandarin songs performed by several local singers, including a rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”.
Which, if you can remember, PM Wong had previously played this song on his guitar on his TikTok.
The audience quickly settled down when the screen showing the live broadcast revealed PM Wong arriving at the Istana at about 8PM.
At least 100 more curious onlookers gathered around the edges of the tentage, staying to watch the hour-long ceremony. Most of them had either had dinner at Yew Tee Point next door or were on their way home from work.
At the start of the ceremony, residents of all ages stood up to sing the national anthem. They quieted down when PM Wong took his oaths, opting to pull out their phones to snap pictures and record videos of the big screen.
(Huh, now that I think of it, it’s really not unlike fangirls at a concert…)
The cheers crescendoed when PM Wong received the instrument of appointment, with some residents holding congratulatory banners, while some groups even had gold balloons spelling out “PM Wong.”
The loudest cheers came when the emcee announced that the new Prime Minister, his wife Loo Tze Lui, and the district’s MPs would be making an appearance at the watch party.
PM Wong May Not Attend as Many Events as Often
Not all is fun and games though, as PM Wong had said something rather bittersweet in his speech to his residents of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.
He said to the crowd present, “In my new capacity as Prime Minister, I hope you understand that from time to time, there may be new responsibilities that will make it difficult for me to attend some community events and activities the way I used to in the past.
“But I assure you we have a very strong team … We will continue to work hard to provide a better home, a better living environment, and to take care of all your needs in Marsiling-Yew Tee.”
After addressing the crowd to manage their expectations about seeing him less frequently in the future in their constituency, PM Wong stayed until around 11:15PM to take photographs with his eager supporters, who lined up around a tent.
Since he was unable to take photos with everyone individually, he participated in what the emcee called “Singapore’s biggest wefie” before departing from the event.
When inquired by the press, many residents in attendance expressed their optimism and eagerness about PM Wong being handed over the reins as Prime Minister.
Citing his consistent efforts as Member of Parliament and Minister of Finance over the years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the residents proclaim deep appreciation towards PM Wong.
Some residents even showed off previous interactions and photos they had taken with the Prime Minister, highlighting his candid and down-to-earth nature.
While older residents express assurance that the younger generation are left in good hands, others hope that more issues that concern the youth of today, such as climate change, mental health and LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and others), will be more readily addressed under his leadership.
