Singapore bids farewell to Lee era as PM prepares to hand over power

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 72, is stepping down, marking the end of a political era.

After two decades in office, Lee will officially pass leadership to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday (May 15) evening.Lee will stay on as a senior minister, a path taken by all former premiers.

Since independence in 1965, Singapore has seen only three prime ministers, all hailing from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).

The first prime minister was Lee's father, Lee Kuan Yew, who is considered as the founder of modern Singapore and led the country for 25 years.

Who is Lee Hsien Loong?

Lee Hsien Loong joined politics in 1984, while his father was still in power. He rose up the position under Singapore's second Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong before taking over the wheel in 2004.

The first years of Lee’s political career were certainly marked by intense scrutiny. Critics also accused the family of nepotism, which the Lee family repeatedly denied.

Under Lee’s leadership, Singapore's economy expanded and grew, as the island transformed into an international financial powerhouse and top tourist destination.

Singapore’s GDP per capita has more than doubled in the past 20 years. Lee's government has also been praised for proficiently steering the country through several recessions, including global financial crisis and Covid pandemic.

In international geopolitics, Lee balanced relationships with US and China.

While his government finally ended the ban on same-sex intimacy after years of pressure, freedom of expression continues to be limited.

Lee has topped survey rankings of Singapore's most popular politicians and his constituency consistently receives the highest vote share in elections.

Lawrence Wong, the incoming prime minister

Wong is the first leader to have been born after the country’s independence in 1965. He is the second leader who is not a member of the founding Lee family.

He will be inaugurated in a ceremony on Wednesday night.

Wong, a civil servant-turned-politician, earned prominence while coordinating the fight against COVID-19,but he wasn't the first choice for the job.Heng Swee Keat, a former central bank chief and education minister, was anointed successor but he withdrew his nomination in 2021. The ruling People's Action Party then picked up Wongin 2022 to fill the vacuum and was quickly promoted to deputy prime minister.

"I will certainly strive to be a leader who is strong, kind, and decisive. And I will do my best to build a Singapore where everyone can realize their full potential," Wong said on social media earlier this month.

Wong, set to earn a salary of S$2.2 million (US$1.6 million), assumes office amid a challenging period for the city-state, marked by rising domestic worries over living expenses, inequality, and immigration. Singapore, heavily reliant on international trade, faces exposure to broader global uncertainties, including tensions between the US and China.

(With inputs from agencies)