WHO NEXT AFTER HSIEN LOONG?
At least 4 are in the running as republic looks to a successor to helm Singapore
WITH the successor to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong now out of the picture, the race to become the country’s next leader is suddenly wide open.
Lee on Thursday signalled the process could take several years, and the party aims to have a successor in place by the next election, due in 2025. The city-state has only had three prime ministers since independence, with one party ruling since 1965.
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat’s position as finance minister had underlined his status as Lee’s heir-apparent. His plan to step down from that role allows an opportunity for another rising star.
Here’s a shortlist of front-runners to succeed Lee, as well as potential candidates for the finance job:
Chan Chun Sing, 51
The trade and industry minister
is one of the key members of the next generation of leaders in the People’s Action Party and was seen as one of the front-runners to succeed Lee prior to the general election last year.
He was appointed second assistant secretary-general of the party in 2018, solidifying his position as an important leader.
Known for his folksy style, Chan voiced strong views during the pandemic on everything from face masks to panic food runs.
Last year, he reiterated the country’s commitment to globalisation and attracting talent.
Earlier this year, he said he was hopeful the US under President Joe Biden would want to stay engaged with the world and especially with Asia, and that tradereliant Singapore would look to work constructively with its most important security partner.
Ong Ye Kung, 51
The transport minister has played a critical role in the citystate’s efforts to reopen its borders.
Prior to his appointment, Ong held various positions, including chief executive officer of the Singapore Workforce Development Agency, principal private secretary to the prime minister, education minister and deputy chief negotiator for the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
While he lost in the 2011 general election, he has since become a member of the ruling party’s central executive committee, with local media citing colleagues touting him as “a natural politician” with an ability to rally people.
Lawrence Wong, 48
Wong has seen his profile rise as co-chair of the government task force for fighting Covid-19. Known for a no-nonsense speaking manner, he played a critical role in bringing the pandemic in Singapore under control with measures such as mandatory face mask wearing while also helping to build ample medical capacity to deal with new infections.
Before his dual appointment as education minister and second finance minister last year, he oversaw a the property sector as national development minister.
Wong began his career as a civil servant, later serving as the chief executive of the Energy Market Authority and the principal private secretary to Lee.
While unlikely to be a contender for the top job, Indranee Rajah rounds out the list of candidates for finance minister in the next cabinet, expected to be announced in about two weeks.
She was appointed second finance minister in a reshuffle three years ago. Indranee is one of only three women in the 20member cabinet, providing an opportunity for the party to show it’s serious about elevating more diverse candidates.
A lawyer before joining government, she is the face of Infrastructure Asia, the city-state’s office dedicated to getting local businesses involved in projects throughout the region.