Lawrence Wong, “4G team” leader, takes oath as Prime Minister of Singapore

Economist and “4G crew” chief Lawrence Wong has been sworn in as Singapore’s fourth prime minister in a deliberate political transition for the island state.

Wong, 51, succeeds veteran statesman Lee Hsien Loong, 72, who has relinquished his place after twenty years; each belong to the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), which has been driving Singapore’s financial progress for greater than 5 many years now.

Today marks a major milestone, a passing of the baton not simply between management groups, but in addition throughout generations. I’m the primary Prime Minister of Singapore to be born after independence. Almost all my colleagues within the 4G crew have been additionally born after 1965. My technology’s story is the story of impartial Singapore. Our lives are testimony to the values that solid our nation.

Lawrence Wong, the 4th Prime Minister of Singapore

Moving to the highest job after being the Deputy Prime Minister for just below two years, Wong will likely be main the fourth technology PAP politicians’ authorities as the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister, a portfolio that he already had.

Ex-PM Lee has now moved into the position of Senior Minister, and he additionally took the oath of allegiance at the moment.

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 67, administered the oath to Wong, who gave a speech in a number of languages afterwards.

Speaking of “geopolitical tensions” and “protectionism” and the way they might influence Singapore going ahead, Wong mentioned in his speech that the nation should brace itself for “these new realities”.

As causes for not making main modifications on the ministerial (Cabinet) degree, Wong had earlier cited continuity, stability and the necessity to keep away from disruptions.

“With all different ministers holding on to their portfolios throughout the management transition from Lee Hsien Loong’s authorities to Wong’s, it additionally testifies to the consistency in Wong’s decision-making,” mentioned a Channel News Asia report.

In April 2022, Wong was named the chief of the PAP’s fourth-generation, or “4G”, crew. In June that yr, he was promoted as the Deputy Prime Minister.

Singapore’s new head of state was a civil servant for 14 years earlier than becoming a member of the Ministry of Trade and Industry in 1997. He is married to Loo Tze Lui.

The Wong-led authorities is anticipated to proceed pro-business insurance policies, given Singapore’s standing as a monetary hub producing investments for Asia, together with India, and a buying and selling centre with a worldwide community.

Lee staying on within the Cabinet as Senior Minister is consistent with the primary two transitions underneath Singapore founder Lee Kuan Yew and the nation’s second prime minister Goh Chok Tong.

Wong is retaining Heng Swee Keat, 63, and selling Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, 65, as his two Deputy Prime Ministers.

President Tharman mentioned that he had full confidence in Wong’s capacity to steer, as Singapore ventured into uncharted waters internationally, noting Wong’s key position in shaping the nation’s financial and social insurance policies.

“[PM Lawrence Wong] will likely be his personal particular person, together with his personal method to constructing consensus and discovering one of the best ways ahead for the nation. And he’ll little question achieve this to his personal rhythm and beat,” Tharman mentioned on the ceremony.

All eyes are actually set on the subsequent normal elections in Singapore, later this yr or subsequent yr; solely after that, important modifications within the Cabinet are to be anticipated.

At a press convention earlier this week, Wong mentioned, “Continuity and stability are key concerns (for the cupboard), particularly as we’re approaching the top of this time period of authorities… There is not any larger precedence for me and that’s to kind the very best crew to serve Singapore and Singaporeans.”

Among Indian PAP parliamentarians, Murali Pillai, 56, has been promoted as minister of state within the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Transport. Pillai, a lawyer, will likely be sworn in on July 1, 2024.

The different Indian-origin ministers within the Cabinet are: Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, 63, who stays Foreign Minister; Okay Shanmugam, 65, who stays Minister of Law and Home Affairs, and Indranee Rajah, 61, who stays Minister within the Prime Minister’s Office.

Welcoming Wong as the brand new Prime Minister, the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) mentioned it was assured that Singapore-India ties would proceed to flourish.

“This is all of the extra so since Wong co-chaired the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable, which has set the stage and the tone for long-term ties between our two nations,” mentioned SICCI chairman Neil Parekh.