PETALING JAYA: The Prime Minister’s Office in Singapore has announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Lawrence Wong will officially assume the role of Singapore’s Prime Minister on May 15.
The announcement, which was issued today, comes as current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who led the country since 2004, prepares to step down, as reported by Channel News Asia.
“Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will relinquish his office on 15 May 2024. He will formally advise the President to appoint Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Lawrence Wong to succeed him,“ according to the statement.
The statement also stated that Wong has the unanimous backing of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) Members of Parliament, strengthening his position to take over the top job.
The ceremony is scheduled for 8pm at the Istana, the office of the Singapore’s President.
The handover plan was first revealed late last year when Lee hinted he would pass the role to Wong before the next general election, which must be called by November 2025.
However, the plan was revised from Lee’s initial intention to resign before his 70th birthday in 2022, due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Wong’s impending takeover of the office has been anticipated for some time when he was named the leader of the PAP’s fourth-generation (4G) team two years ago, positioning him as the likely next Prime Minister after its previous leader, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, stepped aside in 2021 due to age and a lack of clear path to the top role.
This means that Wong will become Singapore’s fourth Prime Minister, following Lee Hsien Loong, Goh Chok Tong, and the country’s founder, Lee Kuan Yew.
