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Singapore PM picks new finance minister amid succession race
The finance minister's post was being closely watched after 60-year-old Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who doubles as finance minister, said he was stepping out of the succession race due to his age.
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Singapore’s National Development Minister Lawrence Wong speaks during a press conference on coronavirus situation in Singapore on January 27, 2020. Singapore have four case of the coronavirus. All four patients had arrived in the city-state from Wuhan over the last week. (Agence France Presse/Roslan Rahman)
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ingapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong tapped 48-year-old Education Minister Lawrence Wong as new finance minister in a major Cabinet reshuffle announced Friday.
The finance minister's post was being closely watched after 60-year-old Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who doubles as finance minister, said he was stepping out of the succession race due to his age.
Heng, who had been widely expected to succeed Lee, will remain as deputy prime minister and coordinating minister for economic policies in the new Cabinet to be launched on May 15.
Two other younger Cabinet ministers who are also seen as strong contenders to succeed the 69-year-old prime minister were also moved to other ministries. Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing, 51, becomes new education minister, while Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung, also 51, assumes the post of health minister.
Lee plans to see his successor chosen from among so-called fourth-generation ministers who are in their 40s and 50s. He told a news conference on Friday that the reshuffle will allow them to "gain new experience and exposure."
Lee has said that he does not plan to continue as premier beyond 70 but is expected to stay around a bit longer to help steer the city state out of the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
