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Lawrence Wong

The latest news on Lawrence Wong, Singaporean politician, economist, former civil servant and Prime Minister of Singapore, including political news and updates.

Born

18 Dec 1972

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Prime Minister of Singapore

A protester interrupts US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) as he testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday. Photo: Getty Images

Asean

Asian Angle | ‘Old order is not coming back’: Trump’s US, not China, threatens status quo

American unpredictability is pushing countries to hedge more proactively – and, ironically, soften existing tensions with China.

31 Jan 2026 - 11:00AM

Singapore

Who are ‘we’? Why some Singaporeans bristle at ‘we first’ inclusive society call

28 Jan 2026 - 7:48PM

Singapore

How Johor-Singapore SEZ is delivering for businesses a year on

25 Jan 2026 - 1:30PM

Singapore

Singapore PM accepts Workers’ Party’s rejection of Leader of the Opposition role

The PMO says the LO office will ‘remain vacant until such time that the WP is ready to nominate someone to take on this responsibility’.

22 Jan 2026 - 1:10AM

Singapore’s opposition Workers’ Party Secretary General Pritam Singh (centre) with his party’s members at Serangoon Stadium as they wait for the results of the 2025 general election. Photo: AFP

SCMP Highlights

Malaysian road rage video goes viral, Pakistan’s arms deals: 7 Asia highlights

From visa suspensions to Pakistan’s arms deal, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

20 Jan 2026 - 1:10PM

Singapore

Most Singaporeans not upbeat on future of next generation: survey

But the city state also ranks highest in trust among people with differences in society, tied with Saudi Arabia in the Edelman global report.

19 Jan 2026 - 8:17AM

Singapore

Singapore’s opposition chief debate draws comparisons with Westminster system

The post is vacant after Pritam Singh’s removal, sparking discussions on its non-statutory nature and executive control.

18 Jan 2026 - 4:11PM

Singapore

Singapore’s PM Lawrence Wong removes Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition

Wong invites the Workers’ Party to nominate another elected MP to serve as the next Leader of the Opposition.

15 Jan 2026 - 8:04PM

Singapore

Singapore MPs back motion deeming Pritam Singh unfit to be opposition leader

The 11 WP MPs present opposed the motion, while the rest of the House, mainly PAP MPs, voted to deem Singh unsuitable for his role.

15 Jan 2026 - 10:23AM

Singapore

Singapore businesses list rising costs and tariffs as their biggest challenges

A new survey shows supply chain difficulties, unfamiliarity with new markets, and lack of funding are also key hurdles for local firms.

11 Jan 2026 - 2:30PM

US President Donald Trump holds a chart on so-called reciprocal tariffs at the White House in Washington last April. Photo: AFP

Singapore

Could Singapore remove Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition?

Parliament will soon debate a motion to consider whether Singh’s ‘conviction and conduct render him unsuitable to continue’ in the role.

9 Jan 2026 - 6:30PM

Singapore

Lawrence Wong thanks Trump for G20 invitation, Singapore-US mark 60th milestone

Singapore’s prime minister plans to visit the US to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between both countries.

3 Jan 2026 - 9:44AMvideocam

Singapore

Singapore defies Trump’s tariffs as manufacturing drives growth

The city state’s economy grew 5.7 per cent in the fourth quarter from a ‌year earlier, according to data from the trade ministry.

2 Jan 2026 - 11:54AM

The Philippines

Singapore PM excited about Jessica Sanchez’s show in Cebu, Marcos’ wife says

The wife of President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez will be performing at the Asean summit in 2026.

31 Dec 2025 - 6:27PM

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr meeting with Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez in Manila on Tuesday. Photo: Instagram / bongbongmarcos

War and conflict

Opinion | If Trump wants a deal with China, he must rein in US allies in Asia

From Manila to Tokyo, domestic political dynamics are increasing the risks of a dangerous confrontation between Washington and Beijing.

30 Dec 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

Singapore

Singapore in 2025: election fever, courtroom drama, pickleball mania

Local politics, tariff concerns, a horrific child abuse case and noise disputes dominate the headlines this year.

27 Dec 2025 - 11:00AM

Malaysia

As Southeast Asia’s middle classes lose their homes, the rich get sky garages

As wealthy buyers seek penthouses with living-room supercar parking, struggling families battle banks to keep a roof overhead.

10 Jan 2026 - 8:59AMvideocam

Singapore

Lee Kuan Yew’s Oxley Road home officially declared Singapore ‘national monument’

The designation marks a turning point, potentially ending years of family dispute and opening the door to heritage preservation in Singapore.

12 Dec 2025 - 9:37PM

Singapore

‘No longer contentious’: Malaysia to weigh Singapore’s water project plan

The two countries have disagreed over water supply for decades, such as the perceived low prices charged by Malaysia’s Johor.

5 Dec 2025 - 1:58PM

Singapore

Singapore PM hopes China, Japan ‘find ways to resolve’ Taiwan Strait row

Lawrence Wong cites the example of Southeast Asia and Japan, who have ‘put history aside’ and are moving forward.

20 Nov 2025 - 12:59AMvideocam

Singapore

Singapore minister sorry for derogatory remarks on Hong Kong football team

David Neo is heard saying ‘idiots’ in a video when referring to Hong Kong’s football team and fans after a key Asian Cup qualifier match.

20 Nov 2025 - 11:29AM

Singapore

Why Singapore’s PAP is taking aim at opposition WP so soon after an election

The PAP’s war of words against the WP is a calculated approach for it to get a head start before the next election, analysts say.

15 Nov 2025 - 12:00PM

Singapore

Singapore PM says election win came after ‘very tough’ constituency battles

Lawrence Wong told a party meeting that the May victory was not a landslide, but the results showed ‘we don’t take chances with our future’.

9 Nov 2025 - 1:03PMvideocam

Singapore

Atomic ambitions: Singapore eyes the nuclear option for a net-zero future

The city state has released a paper on nuclear energy covering new reactor technology and high-profile accidents.

1 Nov 2025 - 12:39PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong will uphold global trading rules, John Lee pledges at Apec gathering

John Lee chats with President Xi Jinping ahead of Apec economic leaders’ dialogue and later meets IMF managing director, country leaders.

31 Oct 2025 - 8:58PMvideocam

President Xi Jinping (left) chats with Chief Executive John Lee ahead of an Apec meeting on Friday. Photo: Yonhap via AP

United States

Outside In | Trump’s unilateralism in Asia makes ‘world minus one’ clear

While the US president’s trip to the region coincided with multilateral summits, he was clearly more interested in bilateral deals.

31 Oct 2025 - 10:04PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump looks on as people wave Malaysian national flags before he departs on Air Force One from Kuala Lumpur International Airport on October 27. Photo: AFP

Asean

Canada’s Asean pivot: in for the long haul or just ‘window dressing’?

Experts say Ottawa must ensure Asia becomes a natural extension of Canadian commercial engagement and seize opportunities in the region.

30 Oct 2025 - 9:48AMvideocam

Asean

Who’s who? RTM says sorry after confusing 3 Asean leaders with predecessors

The national public broadcaster had misidentified Lawrence Wong, Anutin Charnvirakul and Prabowo Subianto during a live telecast.

27 Oct 2025 - 10:17AM

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Lawrence Wong

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Asian Angle | ‘Old order is not coming back’: Trump’s US, not China, threatens status quo

American unpredictability is pushing countries to hedge more proactively – and, ironically, soften existing tensions with China.

Who are ‘we’? Why some Singaporeans bristle at ‘we first’ inclusive society call

How Johor-Singapore SEZ is delivering for businesses a year on

Singapore PM accepts Workers’ Party’s rejection of Leader of the Opposition role

The PMO says the LO office will ‘remain vacant until such time that the WP is ready to nominate someone to take on this responsibility’.

Malaysian road rage video goes viral, Pakistan’s arms deals: 7 Asia highlights

From visa suspensions to Pakistan’s arms deal, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Most Singaporeans not upbeat on future of next generation: survey

But the city state also ranks highest in trust among people with differences in society, tied with Saudi Arabia in the Edelman global report.

Singapore’s opposition chief debate draws comparisons with Westminster system

The post is vacant after Pritam Singh’s removal, sparking discussions on its non-statutory nature and executive control.

Singapore’s PM Lawrence Wong removes Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition

Wong invites the Workers’ Party to nominate another elected MP to serve as the next Leader of the Opposition.

Singapore MPs back motion deeming Pritam Singh unfit to be opposition leader

The 11 WP MPs present opposed the motion, while the rest of the House, mainly PAP MPs, voted to deem Singh unsuitable for his role.

Singapore businesses list rising costs and tariffs as their biggest challenges

A new survey shows supply chain difficulties, unfamiliarity with new markets, and lack of funding are also key hurdles for local firms.

Could Singapore remove Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition?

Parliament will soon debate a motion to consider whether Singh’s ‘conviction and conduct render him unsuitable to continue’ in the role.

Lawrence Wong thanks Trump for G20 invitation, Singapore-US mark 60th milestone

Singapore’s prime minister plans to visit the US to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between both countries.

Singapore defies Trump’s tariffs as manufacturing drives growth

The city state’s economy grew 5.7 per cent in the fourth quarter from a ‌year earlier, according to data from the trade ministry.

Singapore PM excited about Jessica Sanchez’s show in Cebu, Marcos’ wife says

The wife of President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez will be performing at the Asean summit in 2026.

Opinion | If Trump wants a deal with China, he must rein in US allies in Asia

From Manila to Tokyo, domestic political dynamics are increasing the risks of a dangerous confrontation between Washington and Beijing.

Singapore in 2025: election fever, courtroom drama, pickleball mania

Local politics, tariff concerns, a horrific child abuse case and noise disputes dominate the headlines this year.

As Southeast Asia’s middle classes lose their homes, the rich get sky garages

As wealthy buyers seek penthouses with living-room supercar parking, struggling families battle banks to keep a roof overhead.

Lee Kuan Yew’s Oxley Road home officially declared Singapore ‘national monument’

The designation marks a turning point, potentially ending years of family dispute and opening the door to heritage preservation in Singapore.

‘No longer contentious’: Malaysia to weigh Singapore’s water project plan

The two countries have disagreed over water supply for decades, such as the perceived low prices charged by Malaysia’s Johor.

Singapore PM hopes China, Japan ‘find ways to resolve’ Taiwan Strait row

Lawrence Wong cites the example of Southeast Asia and Japan, who have ‘put history aside’ and are moving forward.

Singapore minister sorry for derogatory remarks on Hong Kong football team

David Neo is heard saying ‘idiots’ in a video when referring to Hong Kong’s football team and fans after a key Asian Cup qualifier match.

Why Singapore’s PAP is taking aim at opposition WP so soon after an election

The PAP’s war of words against the WP is a calculated approach for it to get a head start before the next election, analysts say.

Singapore PM says election win came after ‘very tough’ constituency battles

Lawrence Wong told a party meeting that the May victory was not a landslide, but the results showed ‘we don’t take chances with our future’.

Atomic ambitions: Singapore eyes the nuclear option for a net-zero future

The city state has released a paper on nuclear energy covering new reactor technology and high-profile accidents.

Hong Kong will uphold global trading rules, John Lee pledges at Apec gathering

John Lee chats with President Xi Jinping ahead of Apec economic leaders’ dialogue and later meets IMF managing director, country leaders.

Outside In | Trump’s unilateralism in Asia makes ‘world minus one’ clear

While the US president’s trip to the region coincided with multilateral summits, he was clearly more interested in bilateral deals.

Canada’s Asean pivot: in for the long haul or just ‘window dressing’?

Experts say Ottawa must ensure Asia becomes a natural extension of Canadian commercial engagement and seize opportunities in the region.

Who’s who? RTM says sorry after confusing 3 Asean leaders with predecessors

The national public broadcaster had misidentified Lawrence Wong, Anutin Charnvirakul and Prabowo Subianto during a live telecast.

Asian Angle | ‘Old order is not coming back’: Trump’s US, not China, threatens status quo