Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Vows to Restore Trust Amidst Scandals Threatening Clean Governance Image

Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, has defended the reputation of his long-ruling People's Action Party (PAP) following a series of scandals that have threatened the country's clean governance image. Lee acknowledged that the PAP had taken a hit, but vowed to uphold standards and show Singaporeans that the government would do the right thing.

The scandals include a corruption probe involving Transport Minister S. Iswaran and billionaire Ong Beng Seng, as well as the resignation of the Parliament speaker and a legislator due to an affair. Lee faced criticism over the lack of transparency in dealing with the scandals and questions about erosion of the party's standards. He assured Singaporeans that the government would protect the integrity of the system and continue to deserve the trust placed in them.

The PAP faced its worst election results in 2020 but still maintained a two-thirds majority. While the scandals have impacted public confidence, the PAP is focused on improving its record before the next elections. The handling of the scandals has drawn attention to the government's thin-skinned approach to criticism, which experts warn could suppress dissent in the short run but amplify discontent in the long run.

The government's efforts to control the narrative have led to self-censorship and limited public discourse. The use of the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) against government critics has also sparked controversy and given scandals more attention. Critics argue that the selective use of POFMA may undermine public trust and be perceived as attempts to cover up the truth.