2024-04-15 08:37:40
Lee Hsien Loong announced that he will step down from office on the 15th of next month and hand over power to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong. (Reuters file photo)
The 72-year-old Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced today (April 15) that he will officially hand over the leadership baton he has shouldered for nearly 20 years to his successor, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on the 15th of next month. He will later present the leadership to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. He resigned and proposed the appointment of Lawrence Wong as the new Prime Minister. With Lee Hsien Loong resigning, it also means that the Lee family’s rule will temporarily come to an end after the independence of Singapore.
The 51-year-old Lawrence Wong will be sworn in as the fourth Prime Minister of Singapore at the Presidential Palace at 8 o’clock that night. He will be elected as the fourth-generation team leader with the support of cabinet members in April 2022. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office also said that the People’s Action Party MPs unanimously support Lawrence Wong to take over the leadership of the country. Lawrence Wong said he was honored to be invited to serve as Prime Minister. He accepted the task with a humble heart and a strong sense of responsibility, and promised to go all out. Huang also said that public expectations will become the driving force for action, and issues of national concern will guide his decision-making. He invited all citizens to join him in building a fair and equal democratic society and jointly write a new chapter for Singapore.
Lawrence Wong took over as Prime Minister of Singapore on May 15 (file photo)
Lee Hsien Loong said on social platforms that he announced his intention to resign as prime minister this year in November last year. Leadership change is an important moment for any country. He praised Lawrence Wong and the 4th generation team for their efforts to win the trust of the people, especially during the epidemic. Lee Hsien Loong also said that the fourth-generation team is committed to keeping the country functioning well and moving forward. These will always be the government’s top priority. He called on all citizens to fully support Lawrence Wong and his team and work with them to create a better future for Singapore.
Lee Hsien Loong has been Prime Minister for nearly 20 years. He had appointed Lawrence Wong as his successor the year before last. He was originally scheduled to hand over the baton before his 70th birthday, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 epidemic. It was finally decided to hand over the baton before the 70th anniversary of the ruling People’s Action Party in November this year. , handing over the baton to the fourth generation leadership team led by Lawrence Wong.
Born into a civilian family, appointed successor in 2022
Lawrence Wong was born into a civilian family and holds master’s degrees from Harvard University and the University of Michigan. After graduating and returning to China, he entered government service and served as a staff official in the financial system for many years. He was elected to Congress in 2011 and has served as Minister of National Development and Minister of Education. During the epidemic, he also served as one of the co-leaders of the epidemic prevention working group. He was promoted to deputy prime minister by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in June 2022, paving the way for the succession to power.
The original article was published on AM730
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