Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will officially become Singapore’s Prime Minister on May 15, taking over from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on that day. This marks Singapore’s third leadership transition since independence in 1965.
In a statement on April 15, the Prime Minister’s Office announced the date of the handover, with DPM Wong expected to be sworn in at 8pm on May 15 at the Istana. PMO added that DPM Wong has the unanimous support of the PAP Members of Parliament.
In a Facebook post, PM Lee said leadership transition is a significant moment for any country.
“Lawrence and the 4G team have worked hard to gain the people’s trust, notably during the pandemic,” he said. “Through the Forward Singapore exercise, they have worked with many Singaporeans to refresh our social compact and develop the national agenda for a new generation.”
PM Lee said the 4G team are committed to keeping Singapore working well and moving ahead. He asked Singaporeans to give DPM Wong and his team their full support, and “work with them to create a brighter future for Singapore”.
Mr Lee, 72, who led the country for about 20 years, said last November during the yearly People’s Action Party (PAP) convention that he would pass the leadership role to Mr Wong before the party’s 70th anniversary on November 21 in 2024 “ if all goes well”. He also said that he intended to do so before the next General Election (GE), which is due by November 2025.
Mr Lee remains Secretary-General of the PAP while Mr Wong serves as Deputy Secretary-General. The party will elect its 38th central executive committee, the political party’s highest decision-making body, by the end of the year. The committee was last elected in November 2022.
Mr Wong, 51 was promoted to Deputy Prime Minister two years ago after his peers endorsed him as the leader of the PAP’s fourth generation (4G) team. During the annual party conference in November 2022, he was appointed to the newly created role of Deputy Secretary-General of the PAP.
This was after DPM Heng Swee Keat, 63, who had been previously named as 4G leader, stepped aside in April 2022, citing his age and the lack of a proper “runway” for the top job.
Mr Lee first took office in August 2004 at age 52 from his predecessor Goh Chok Tong, who handed him the baton after leading the nation for around 14 years.
Mr Goh, in turn, succeeded founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in November 1990 at age 49. The late Mr Lee led Singapore for 31 years as Prime Minister and was 67 when Mr Goh took office. Of the three prime ministers in post-independence history, PM Lee is the second longest serving.
Mr Lee had previously signaled his intention as early as 2012 to step down by age 70 in 2022. However, his plan was delayed by the unexpected onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PM had pledged to see the nation through those difficult years.
A smooth leadership transition is anticipated
From the First Generation to the Third Generation of leaders, Singapore Government under the ruling PAP has been able to transfer power smoothly. Each of the successors has continued to be a strong steward of the country, extending her economic successes and making the republic a shinier red dot.
While ESM Goh brought Singapore out of the region to the world, PM Lee is seen by many as having succeeded in bringing the world to Singapore. During his two decades as Prime Minister, he further enhanced Singapore’s international reputation as global business hub. Despite its small size and limited resources, Singapore under his leadership continues to exceed expectations and find new avenue for growth and stability.
With the changing demographics and more fragmented interests and demands from the electorate, Mr Lee has also managed to keep society united, especially during turbulent times such as the Global Financial Crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. He also provided more career pathways for Singaporeans and managed to tackle spikey issues by finding compromises and enlarging common spaces to keep the people together.
Just as important, Mr Lee continued to maintain a healthy and stable political system that allows good politics to continue. He kept political leaders accountable to the people and dealt swiftly and decisively with corruption, even at the expense of political cost to the party.
Against a backdrop of uncertainty and economic headwinds post-pandemic, a seamless transfer to the next generation of leaders has become crucial. Domestically, a smooth transition would signal confidence in the public and the 4G leaders. Internationally, it would signal continuity and stability to global partners and investors. The handover before the next election shows the PM’s confidence in the 4G leaders’ readiness and ability to chart Singapore’s future course.
DPM Wong, for his part, has proven to be a strong and decisive leader. He skillfully led the country out of the Covid-19 pandemic as a key leader in the Ministerial Task Force. Singaporeans would remember him – with his steady and calm demeanor – updating and assuring the people during those regular briefings on the crisis.
Growing up in a HDB flat and having attended a neighbourhood school, Mr Wong has been able to understand and relate to ordinary Singaporeans at all levels. He has been actively listening and engaging people in the different segments of the community. Mr Wong has gone through several key ministries, providing him with an in-depth understanding of national issues and policies. He has also pledged strongly to work with Singaporeans through his visionary Forward SG consultation which will take the country forward into the next decade.
In his video after the PMO announcement, Mr Wong said he would give his all as the Prime Minister and “will serve with humility and a deep sense of duty”.
He also urged Singaporeans to work with him and his team, to “move forward as one Team Singapore and write the next chapter of our Singapore story together”.
Ministers thanked PM for his service
Ministers and MPs thanked PM Lee for his selfless dedication and service to the country and welcomed DPM Wong as the new PM.
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean thanked PM for his leadership and wished DPM Wong all the best as he takes on the leadership responsibility. “Let us work together for a smooth transition and look Forward to a successful future for Singapore.”
DPM Heng Swee Keat said PM Lee has guided Singapore through many episodes of uncertainty from the global financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic to today’s fractured geopolitical environment with his wisdom and steady hand.
“Under PM’s leadership, we cared for Singaporeans while making investments and building capabilities to position Singapore well for the future… I am grateful to have benefitted from PM’s guidance and wisdom over the past decade, and especially during the COVID-19 crisis when we made the decision to seek President’s approval to tap on past reserves to save lives and livelihoods,” he added.
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said that Singapore has progressed tremendously in the 20 years with Mr Lee as PM. “Its GDP has gone up four-fold. It’s been a tremendous privilege to have worked with PM Lee.”
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said the most important values that PM has shown Singaporeans is the critical task to keep Singapore’s system clean and upright to inspire more good people to come forward and serve. “We are thankful for PM’s leadership and service to Singapore, always putting the country and people before self. We will endeavour to uphold this same spirit for every generation,” he added.
National Development Minister Desmond Lee commended PM Lee for the Government’s shift to strengthen social safety nets to better support individuals. He noted that that after PM was sworn in, he launched the ComCare Fund, Workfare, to support lower-income Singaporeans, and stepped up support for Singaporeans who needed more help.
“As PM Lee prepares to hand over the baton to DPM Lawrence Wong, we are building on strong foundations and will continue his legacy to create an inclusive society and endearing home for current and future generations of Singaporeans,” he added.
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said that under PM Lee’s leadership, Singapore has earned a global reputation as a neutral, independent minded, trustworthy partner that delivers on its promises.
“This reputation is priceless and has helped me tremendously in advancing Singapore’s interests at international platforms. He has enabled us to “punch above our weight” as we are often described,” she added.
