Singapore’s first social media PM: can Lawrence Wong win Gen Z votes or will he become ‘just a meme’?

If Wong hopes to win over youth in the coming general election, which could happen as early as this year, he needs to rule on social media, according to analysts.

The 51-year-old will not only be the first prime minister of Singapore born in the post-independence period, but also one whose political ascendancy has relied on and will continue to depend heavily on the wild world of social media.

The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) knows this and has spent the last two decades trying to conquer the various platforms. The government regularly makes major announcements over social media alongside mainstream channels.

Wong did the same, posting a 1 1/2-minute across his social media platforms.

“When I was invited to enter politics in 2011, I agreed because I wanted to contribute to the Singapore story. I did not expect then to be asked to serve as the next Prime Minister of Singapore,” he said. “I accept this responsibility with humility, and a deep sense of duty.”

Such an approach has become the norm for political officeholders in Singapore.

In April 2022, when Lee announced that Wong was selected as the leader of the 4G team and was his anointed successor, the former made a post across his social media pages.

Wong had followed up quickly, posting a snippet of the press conference, where he talked about his plans for the team. “Where we fall short, we will strive to learn and improve and keep on doing better. So this is what Singaporeans can expect from me and my team,” he said in the 44-second clip.

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Singapore’s Lee Hsien Loong will hand over power to deputy Lawrence Wong on May 15

The video may not have fared as well as some others of him strumming his guitar or riding his motorcycle for charity, but overall, social media