New Singapore PM Lawrence Wong Sworn in
Former Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong stepped down from office today after taking the helm of the country back in 2004. Lee was succeeded by former deputy PM and finance minister of Singapore, Lawrence Wong.
72 years old Mr. Lee will now act as a formal advisor to Mr. Wong, his office said in a statement on Monday. It also said, “Mr. Wong has the unanimous support of lawmakers in the long-ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and will be sworn in as the new Prime Minister at the national palace later today”.
Mr. Lee had announced the power transition back in November last year, with Mr. Wong appointed as his chosen successor. The Covid-19 pandemic forced Mr. Lee to stay in office despite his plans to retire by 70.
Mr. Lee said in a Facebook post on Monday, “For any country, a leadership transition is a significant moment. Mr. Lawrence and the 4G (fourth-generation) team have worked hard to gain the people’s trust, notably during the pandemic, I ask all Singaporeans to give Mr. Lawrence and his team your full support, and work with them to create a brighter future for Singapore.”
I will relinquish my role as PM on 15 May 2024 & @LawrenceWongST will be sworn in as the next PM on the same day. I ask all Singaporeans to give Lawrence & his team your full support, & work with them to create a brighter future for Singapore. – LHL https://t.co/3oi0Oxxv16 pic.twitter.com/gDrMiiUTN1
— leehsienloong (@leehsienloong) April 15, 2024
Deputy PM Lawrence Wong gained significant public support during the Covid-19 pandemic for his effective crisis management abilities.
Singapore PM change marks power transition after 20 years
Experts speculate that the PM change prior to the national elections due for next year will enable Mr. Wong to make his own mandate and carry the country forward, just like the former PM Lee Hsien Loong.
One of the richest countries in the world, the tiny island nation plays a key role in international affairs as a key ally to the US and China. New PM Lawrence Wong, has stated that despite tense U.S- China relations at the time, it is important for the country to maintain its diplomatic ties with both the nations. He further stated the importance of nations to maintain international allies despite differences. Mr. Wong has been a civil servant for life, holding senior positions in several ministries since his career began as a lawmaker in 2011.
But it has his effective management of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, that made him more well known in the country. Singapore’s effective Covid-19 response was lauded by world governments, with many drawing examples from the island nations exemplary performance in 2020.
Wong will be the country’s fourth prime minister since its Independence in 1965 and the second outside the Lee family. His predecessor Mr. Lee Hsien Loong is the eldest son of Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who was responsible for the tiny nations remarkable transition into one of the worlds richest country’s despite having gained late independence in 1965.
51-year-old Wong is likely to appeal to the country’s younger audience while upholding the status quo. Despite of not hailing from a bureaucratic background, Wong has been determined as a safe choice for the Lee administration as he has accompanied former PM Lee for years.
Singapore’s criminal defamation laws curb political opposition
Over the years, international entities and citizens at home have alleged that the ruling party of Singapore – PAP, under former PM Lee’s leadership has passed two stringent criminal defamation laws to curb dissent among residents. The bans’ on “online falsehoods” and “foreign interference” are interpreted as governments restrictions on free speech by many foreign lawmakers.
With the younger generations more focussed on high cost of living and the advocacy for more personal freedoms and policies directed by social justice, the ruling party PAP has chosen Mr. Wong as he appeals to the younger segment of Singapore’s society better than his predecessor Mr. Lee.
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