SINGAPORE, May 14 — After nearly two decades, Singapore inaugurates a new prime minister tomorrow.
In a smooth transition of leadership, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, 51, will succeed Lee Hsien Loong, 72, who has been in office since 2004. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 8pm at the Istana.
Wong, who was a civil servant before entering politics in 2011, was seen as Prime Minister-designate after being named leader of the ruling People’s Action Party’s (PAP) fourth-generation team in April 2022, following Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat’s departure from the role.
The handover was confirmed after an April 15 statement in which Lee announced that he would relinquish office on May 15.
Wong has the unanimous support of PAP MPs.
Yesterday, Lee formally informed President Tharman Shanmugaratnam of his intention to resign, and advised Tharman to invite Wong, who commands the confidence of the majority of MPs, to form the next government.
Wong, who is also Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP, accepted Tharman’s invitation and informed the president of his new Cabinet lineup, which will be sworn in tomorrow. The list saw minimal changes, with Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
Lee will be appointed senior minister and remain Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council chairman.
In a press conference yesterday, Wong said he aims to “balance the need for continuity and renewal” with the new lineup as the government approaches the end of its term, with the next general election required to be called by November 2025.
Wong said his Cabinet would focus on issues of concern to Singaporeans such as living costs, jobs, Forward Singapore initiatives, and other medium-term plans.
— Bernama
