2024 RT Amination Banner.gif

China Daily

Asia Pacific> Asia News> Content
Thursday, November 22, 2018, 14:03
Singapore may signal PM Lee's likely successor this week
By Agencies
Thursday, November 22, 2018, 14:03 By Agencies

Tourists gather at Merlion park to take pictures overlooking Marina Bay in Singapore on Aug 11, 2016. (ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP)

SINGAPORE - Singapore's ruling party is set to unveil new posts within its top decision-making body on Friday in what could give a strong hint about who will become only its fourth prime minister, with domestic media saying the finance minister is the frontrunner.

Lee has signaled he intends to hand over the premiership by the time he turns 70 in 2022. The country’s general elections must be held by early 2021

The ruling People’s Action Party will announce its new office holders Friday, and the post to watch will be that of first assistant secretary-general, the Straits Times reported, citing unidentified party sources. Contenders for the key role have narrowed to Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, 57, and Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing, 49, the newspaper said.

"Singaporeans will get a good indication of who is most likely to succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as People's Action Party leader and the country's fourth prime minister tomorrow," the Straits Times said.

A spokesman for the PAP declined to comment on the article.

READ MORE: Singapore PM Lee says ready to step down in couple of years

The first assistant role is immediately under the secretary general, currently held by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Lee has pledged to step down in coming years, with an election expected as soon as next year.

Heng and Chan are part of a group of younger ministers known as the country’s fourth-generation leaders, and have both been seen as leading candidates to become the next leader.

The potential leadership transition comes as rising global protectionism threatens the city state's open economy, while at home the government tries to address growing unease over wealth disparity and social mobility.

Heng and Chan are part of a group of younger ministers known as the country’s fourth-generation leaders, and have both been seen as leading candidates to become the next leader

The online news site Today, which is affiliated with Singapore's main broadcaster Channel News Asia, said Heng would likely be named as first assistant secretary-general. It also cited unidentified party sources.

The Chinese language Lianhe Zaobao newspaper, a sister publication of the Straits Times, also reported Heng was likely to be named to the post.

Heng was one of three ministers tipped earlier this year to succeed Lee. He is the most experienced of the leading candidates but concerns about his health after he suffered a stroke and collapsed during a cabinet meeting in 2016 had raised questions about his suitability.

ALSO READ: The five men who could be Singapore's next leader

Seven other fourth-generation leaders may also become increasingly prominent in the coming months, the Straits Times said. They include Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung, Manpower Minister Josephine Teo and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah.

The PAP has dominated politics over the five decades since Singapore's independence, winning all elections with significant majorities, and faces no real challenge to its power.

Lee, the son of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father, suggested earlier this month a general election might be called next year, more than a year before his government's mandate ends. 


Share this story

CHINA DAILY
HONG KONG NEWS
OPEN
Please click in the upper right corner to open it in your browser !