Lawrence Wong sworn in as new Prime Minister of Singapore

Economist Lawrence Wong was sworn in as Singapore’s fourth prime minister on Wednesday in a planned political transition for the island state.

Wong, 51, replaced Lee Hsien Loong, 72, who stepped down after two decades; Both belong to the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) which has been driving Singapore’s economic progress for more than five decades.

Wong, who was deputy prime minister, will lead a government of fourth-generation PAP politicians as prime minister and finance minister.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 67, swore in Wong in what local media described as a low-key leadership change.

Wong cited the need for continuity, stability and avoiding disruptions as reasons for not making major changes at the ministerial (cabinet) level.

“All other ministers retaining their portfolios during the leadership transition from Lee Hsien Loong’s government to Wong’s government also confirms Wong’s continuity in decision-making,” a Channel News Asia report said.

In April 2022, Wong was named as the leader of the PAP’s fourth generation, or 4G, team, and was promoted to Deputy Prime Minister in June of the same year.

Wong is married to Lu Tze Lui. Before entering politics, Wong was a civil servant for 14 years before joining the Ministry of Trade and Industry in 1997.

Given Singapore’s status as an Asian financial center and a trading hub with global networks generating investment to Asia, including India, the Wong-led government is expected to continue pursuing pro-business policies.

Lee will remain in the cabinet as a senior minister as has been the case with the city state’s first two prime ministers – Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong.

Wong is retaining Heng Swee Keat, 63, and promoting Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong, 65, as his two deputy prime ministers.

Channel News Asia said President Thurman said he had full confidence in Wong’s ability to lead Singapore in entering uncharted territories internationally, noting Wong’s important role in shaping the country’s economic and social policies. mentioned.

“He will be his own person, with his own vision to build consensus and find the best way forward for the country. And there is no doubt that he will do it with his rhythm and rhythm,” Thurman said at the ceremony.

All eyes are now on the next general elections, which should be held by November 2025, only after which significant changes in the cabinet are expected.

At a press conference earlier this week, Wong said: “Continuity and stability (for the Cabinet) are key considerations, especially as we approach the end of this term of government.”

“There is no higher priority for me than building the best possible team to serve Singapore and Singaporeans,” he said.

Among Indian PAP MPs, Murali Pillai, 56, has been promoted as Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Transport. Advocate Pillai will take oath on 1 July 2024.

Other Indian-origin ministers in the cabinet – Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, 63, will remain the foreign minister; K Shanmugam, 65, has been appointed as Minister of Law and Home Affairs and Indrani Raja, 61, has been appointed as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Welcoming Wong as the new Prime Minister, the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) said it was confident that Singapore-India relations would continue to flourish.

SICCI President Neil Parekh said, “This is all the more so because Wong co-chaired the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable, which set the stage and tone for the long-term relationship between our two countries.”