Lawrence Wong becomes Singapore’s No 2 leader, cementing position as Lee Hsien Loong’s successor
- Wong, 49, will be one of Singapore’s two deputy prime ministers and serve as acting PM when Lee Hsien Loong is away
- Despite Wong’s promotion, the lack of changes in key portfolios suggests the transition process within the ruling party is “still delayed”, an analyst said
Wong’s promotion – which takes effect on June 13 – was part of a cabinet reshuffle that involves eight other junior-level officials taking on new roles.
The current deputy prime minister Heng Swee Keat – previously Lee’s heir apparent – will retain that title and his portfolio as the country’s coordinating minister for economic policies. There were no major changes in key ministries.
Wong, 49, will be the acting prime minister when Lee is away.
Heng previously served as the country’s de facto No 2 leader. When he stepped aside as the putative successor to Lee last April, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, a veteran in the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), took over that role.
In a Facebook post, Lee said: “The next generation leadership is taking shape. I ask everyone to give your full support to this important transition, to steer Singapore safely out of the pandemic and into a brighter future.”
