Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to serve as Senior Minister after stepping down in May

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is set to step down next month, will continue to play a pivotal role in the Singapore government as a senior minister.

This decision was confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is poised to succeed Lee as the nation's fourth Prime Minister.

“I have asked Mr Lee Hsien Loong to continue serving in the Cabinet as a senior minister, and I am glad that he has agreed to do so,” said Wong during a press interaction.

This announcement follows closely on the heels of news that Wong will be officially sworn in as Prime Minister on 15 May.

Wong emphasized the importance of maintaining stability and continuity within the Cabinet, indicating that there will not be significant changes immediately, as the new Cabinet is sworn in.

“It has never been the case that when there is a leadership transition, all the older ministers stepped down at the same time,” Wong explained.

“Instead, they continued to contribute in different ways, while making room for the younger ones to step up.”

The current Senior Minister, Teo Chee Hean, along with other ministers, will largely continue in their existing roles.

Wong noted that he is in discussions with them regarding their preferences and is also considering promotions and possibly integrating a few backbenchers to bolster the team.

The final Cabinet lineup will be unveiled shortly before the swearing-in ceremony.

Looking ahead, Wong acknowledged that while immediate changes to the Cabinet might be minimal, more significant adjustments could be expected after the next General Election, which must occur before November 2025.

He expressed an ongoing effort to scout for new candidates who show promise for political office to “renew and strengthen the team with new members.”

Currently, there has been little evidence of new faces in the People's Action Party (PAP), given the outgoing 3G parliamentarians.

The Deputy Prime Minister articulated his dual priorities of continuity and change. “I want continuity because we should build on what we have today,” he said.

“But I also want change because we should reexamine and refresh our current approaches and be prepared to break new ground in order to adopt more effectively to a rapidly changing environment.”

Amidst these transitions, Wong is focused on addressing immediate concerns such as the economy, jobs, and cost of living, and he aims to take concrete steps towards the national objectives outlined in the Forward Singapore feedback initiative.

As speculation about the timing of the next General Election grows, sources suggest it might be strategically held in September, potentially aligning with cash handouts from Budget 2024 and before major elections in the United States and the United Kingdom in November.

However, Wong maintained that the PAP is continually preparing, stating, “The work to prepare for the next GE starts the day after the last election. We have to consistently tend the ground, attend to the needs of residents, and strive to win over their hearts and minds.”