Singapore's PM Lee to Hand Reins to Wong on May 15

SINGAPORE, April 15 (Bernama) -- Singapore has set May 15 as the country’s leadership transition date, as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will relinquish his office to pave the way for Lawrence Wong to succeed him.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a statement Monday said Lee, 72, will formally advise President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to appoint Wong, the current Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, as his successor.

“The new prime minister will be sworn in at 8 pm on 15 May 2024 at the Istana,” said PMO.

PMO said Wong has the unanimous support of the People's Action Party (PAP) members of parliament (MPs).

Lee has served as Singapore’s third prime minister since 2004.

Lee, the PAP secretary-general, has led the party to four consecutive Singapore General Elections victories in 2006, 2011, 2015 and 2020.

The eldest son of Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was first elected Member of Parliament (MP) in 1984, and has been re-elected eight times, most recently as an MP for the Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency.

Lee had in November last year announced his intention to step down as prime minister.

Lee in his Facebook posting asked all Singaporeans to give Wong and his team their full support to create a brighter future for the country.

“Lawrence (Wong) and the 4G team have worked hard to gain the people’s trust, notably during the pandemic. 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,” he said.

The 4G team refers to Singapore’s fourth-generation team of  younger political leaders.

Lee also assured that the 4G team is committed to keeping Singapore working well and moving ahead.

"These will always be top priorities for the government," he said.

-- BERNAMA