Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat has been appointed the People's Action Party (PAP) 1st assistant secretary-general, an indication that he is the front runner to be Singapore's next prime minister.
The 57-year-old's appointment was announced on Friday (Nov 23) along with other key office holders of the PAP Central Executive Committee (CEC), the party's top decision-making body.
Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing, 49, who has also been seen as a potential prime minister, was appointed the 2nd assistant secretary-general.
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From death’s door to Singapore PM-in-waiting
Poised for power: Heng Swee Keat, finance minister of Singapore, is set to be chosen as the ruling party's candidate for prime minister at the next election © AFP
Heng Swee Keat, finance minister of Singapore, has lived through a complete reversal of fortune in just over two years, recovering from a stroke that nearly killed him to reach a position in the ruling party that sets him on course to become the country’s next prime minister.
Mr Heng’s brush with death happened during a cabinet meeting in 2016, when he collapsed and was resuscitated by government ministers with medical training. “I had a miraculous recovery,” Mr Heng, 57, told the Financial Times last month.
Appointed on Friday as first assistant secretary-general of the People’s Action party, Mr Heng is now set to lead the city state after a general election that could come as soon as next year, as suggested earlier this month by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, whose mandate is scheduled to end in January 2021.
MINISTER HENG SWEE KEAT: A SAFE PAIR OF HANDS, ‘THERE’S JUST ONE PITY’ (SAID LEE KUAN YEW)
He is of slight build, his large eyes are framed by wire rim glasses that make them look larger still, and his thick, black hair is swept to the right. In speeches, he is measured and reassuring; in person, sincere.
After an illustrious career in the police force and civil service, Heng Swee Keat entered politics in 2011 and upon election was immediately made education minister. Since then he has helmed the finance ministry, overseen a nationwide engagement exercise and led a committee studying strategies to secure Singapore’s economic future.
Heng can now add one more achievement to the list. On Friday, the 57-year-old was named by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) as its first assistant secretary general, making him the highest-ranked member of the fourth-generation leadership in the central executive committee (CEC). Traditionally, this person would be seen as the most likely future prime minister.
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Singapore finance minister in pole position to be next PM
Heng Swee Keat is set to be the front-runner to become Singapore's next prime minister. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Singaporean Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat is set to be appointed the first assistant secretary-general of the ruling People's Action Party on Friday, a job that paves the way for him to become the leading contender for the position of prime minister after Lee Hsien Loong steps down.
PAP's highest decision-making body, the Central Executive Committee, is expected to meet on Friday to decide its office bearers, government-owned media Today Online reported Thursday, citing party sources.
According to Today, the assistant secretary-generals, who will be second-in-command, have already been decided, citing sources of "a senior party leader and several cadres." The report said Heng is set to be the first assistant secretary-general and Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing is expected to be the second.
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PAP sets stage for Heng Swee Keat to be PM
17 days after the People's Action Party (PAP) was returned to power with 69.9 per cent of the vote in the Sept 11, 2015 General Election, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong chaired a press conference to announce his new Cabinet.
Political succession was at the top of his mind. "I have a deadline to meet. I want to have a team ready to take over, soon after the next election," Mr Lee said.
I want people tested; I want people developed; I want people exposed & known to the public; their confidence built up and the team shaken down. So that within the team, they know who can do what, how they can work together, who can emerge as the leader of the team," he added.
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PAP unveils new party leadership with 4G leaders at helm
The People's Action Party (PAP) renewed its top leadership ranks on Sunday (Nov 11), formally marking the start of Singapore's next phase of political renewal that will see 4th-generation leaders at the helm.
Heavyweights like Deputy Prime Ministers Teo Chee Hean & Tharman Shanmugaratnam are no longer on the central executive committee to take the PAP to the next general election.
Instead, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's new team, voted in at a party conference on Sunday (Nov 11), comprises in no particular order:
- PM Lee
- Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam
- Health Minister Gan Kim Yong
- Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat
- Culture, Community and Youth Minister Grace Fu
- Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing
- Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli
- Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah
- Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Ng Chee Meng
- Education Minister Ong Ye Kung
- Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin
- Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan
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PAP Executive Committee Has 2 New Players
Ministers in the PMO Mr Ng Chee Meng & Ms Indranee are the fresh faces while Mr Desmond Lee (Minister for Social & Family Development) & Mr Lawrence Wong (Minister for National Development) though touted as 4G leaders, are not part of the new committee
The new CEC members were the top 12 candidates who garnered the most votes from 2,000 of their peers during the election held at the Singapore Expo.
Mr Desmond Lee (Minister for Social and Family Development) and Mr Lawrence Wong (Minister for National Development) though touted as 4G leaders, are not part of the new committee. Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo assumed their committee positions after being co-opted. They were invited to join the committee after barely missing the 12th cut-off point, and coming in ranked 13th and 14th.
Like the rest of the members in the committee, their exact positions weren’t released.
ONG’S OMISSION IS ‘STRIKING’
The cadres interviewed said it was striking that Mr Ong was not nominated by the outgoing CEC
The field of front runners to succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has narrowed, after People's Action Party (PAP) cadres told TODAY that Education Minister Ong Ye Kung is out of the running as he is not deemed to be a core leader within the ruling party.
Mr Ong was not among the names recommended by the PAP’s outgoing Central Executive Committee (CEC) to be voted into the party’s highest decision-making body, prior to the internal elections on Sunday (Nov 11).
It is a traditional practice for the outgoing CEC to inform party cadres of their recommendations in order to try and ensure that the core leaders get voted in, said the party cadres interviewed. While the list seeks to ensure wide representation — in terms of ethnicity and gender, for example — it also signals the individuals' standing within the party, they added.
At the party's elections on Sunday, 12 were elected into the CEC
3 names have been tossed up over the past year as front runners for the premiership - Mr Heng, Mr Chan and Mr Ong
After Sunday's elections, political watchers say it is likely to be down to Mr Heng or Mr Chan for the ASG - and future PM. The writing, they say, was in how the previous CEC had left out Mr Ong's name in its own shortlisted choice of future key leaders.
The Straits Times had reported last Saturday how cadres were to be given 19 names to vote for the new core leadership. Of the 19, seven names would be highlighted as the previous CEC's choice, ST had reported.
The 7 were, in this order: PM Lee, Mr Shanmugam, Mr Chan, Ms Fu, Mr Gan, Mr Heng and Mr Masagos. Mr Ong's name was conspicuously absent.
PAP cadres in party election
PAP cadres interviewed by state media TodayOnline today (Nov 13) revealed that Education Minister Ong Ye Kung has been ruled out of the premiership race. Four anonymous PAP members, including two former PAP MPs, who claimed themselves as PAP cadres told the state media that the outgoing Central Executive Committee (CEC) usually nominate 7 whom they want to see in the next leadership committee.
According to the four PAP members, the Education Minister’s name was not among the 7 recommended. The four were tight-lipped as to why was Minister Ong Ye Kung immensely unpopular with the outgoing committee, even though he was previously shortlisted as among the three for the next Prime Minister role.
A former PAP MP told the state media that only 19 candidates were allowed on the nomination list:
“This is to ensure key leaders are in the highest decision-making body and also to facilitate leadership transition in a controlled manner. If they open up the process, then cadres might not elect a certain key leader into the CEC.”
Ong Ye Kung – the only PM frontrunner who publicly thanked party members and senior politicians after being elected to PAP CEC
Although all three frontrunners tipped to succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong were elected into the People’s Action Party (PAP) Central Executive Committee (CEC) yesterday, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung is the only one among the hyped trio who publicly thanked his peers and the senior politicians who retired from the CEC, on Facebook after the election.
Thanking his party members for their support and issuing a shout-out to his branch activists, Ong made special mention of the five CEC members who stepped down to make room for the younger lot.
The Sembawang GRC parliamentarian wrote that he is “deeply grateful” to these senior politicians and that he looks forward to their continued “guidance and mentorship”.
Former PAP supporter says recent CEC election shows just how “out of touch” the ruling party is with the people
While Singaporeans who watched the People’s Action Party (PAP) Central Executive Committee (CEC) results closely to get a clearer picture of who will become Singapore’s fourth PM may have been disappointed since all three PM frontrunners were elected into the CEC, the election has sparked much debate on social media.
Some decried the fact that Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam was among the five senior politicians that retired from the ruling party’s highest decision making body, since his exit from the CEC solidified the fact that there is no chance he could become the next PM.
Prominent figures like ex-GIC chief economist Yeoh Lam Keong and academic Cherian George joined the chorus of voices that were upset that Tharman – the “people’s choice” for PM – effectively dropped out of the PM race.
Joseph Nathan 11 November at 06:10
WHY HAS PAP GOTTEN SO OUT OF TOUCH WITH ITS CITIZENS ASPIRATION?
During Singapore early years, many citizens voted firmly for our First Cabinet despite their many imperfections because the people can see their sincerity & dedication.
Collectively with our Merdeka & Pioneer generations, and support from international agencies, SG transits from Third World to First World. SG was a collective success.
We were considered by many as a miracle, a case-study of socio-economic success. I was pro-PAP and would debunk naysayers as l could see that our leaders were committed in addressing citizens' welfare & situational needs, 24/7.
Veteran journalist notes 4G leaders have “a pretty short fuse despite the promise to listen to opinions”
Former Straits Times editor Bertha Henson has noted that the ruling party’s fourth generation (4G) leaders “have a pretty short fuse despite the promise to listen to opinions,” in a recent blog post.
In her coverage of the People’s Action Party (PAP) Central Executive Committee (CEC) election results, Henson added that it appears as though the 4G leaders have an “image problem” and that the transitioning Government “is acting out the same old drama”.
Providing a comprehensive recap of the CEC election results, Henson noted that the real action will begin when the roles that the 12 elected members will take on is revealed in the coming weeks.
Big test awaits 4G leaders as next GE nears
There is still quite some time to go until the next general election (GE) in S'pore, but it's safe to say the wheels are already in motion for the big day as the country gears up for only its third leadership transition since independence. BT FOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Singaporeans will have to wait just a little while more before they get more clues as to who might be the so-called "first among equals" in that trio. With the CEC election now over, the new committee (along with the two co-opted members Ng Eng Hen & Josephine Teo) will have their first meeting within a couple of weeks to elect a new slate of office-holders.
PM Lee - who turns 67 in February and has repeatedly indicated he wants to do a handover before he is 70 - is likely to stay on as secretary-general and lead the PAP at the next GE.
While the post of party chairman is important, all eyes will naturally be on which two people will be elected assistant secretaries-general, as they will almost certainly be promoted to Deputy Prime Minister when Mr Lee makes another set of changes to his Cabinet line-up. The more eagle-eyed among political watchers here will be looking closely at the list of CEC office-holders to see who gets elected as "First Assistant Secretary-General" and "Se-cond Assistant Secretary-General".
General election may be called next year
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong suggested on Sunday a general election may be called next year. Calling a general election by 2019, more than a year before his government’s mandate ends in January 2021, means something is brewing for the premier who makes S$2.2 million (US$1.6 million; £1.2 million; RM6.7 million) a year.
While the world’s attention is on U.S.-China trade war, countries in the region such as Singapore are not immune to the spill over effect. As the country braces for growing economic uncertainty, PM Lee’s intention to call a snap election is to avoid potential risks. His PAP (People’s Action Party) has ruled Singapore since the republic’s independence in 1965.
Interestingly, Singapore gained its independence from Malaysia, the country that raised global eyebrows about 6 months ago when Barisan Nasional coalition government, also having ruled since the country’s independence in 1957, was kicked out of power in the May 9th general election this year. Although his PAP is unlikely to be overthrown, Mr. Lee has every reason to be concerned.
Signs Point to Chan Becoming Next Prime Minister with Shan and Heng Serving as Deputies
The PAP’s CEC election on Sunday has shed more light on Singapore’s next generation of leaders from the PAP. I’m of course assuming that the opposition doesn’t do a Pakatan Harapan.
From the looks of things, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing is almost certain to become our next Prime Minister, with Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat assuming deputy prime minister positions.
Just take a look at who’s in the CEC, their ages, and their background (sorry Lawrence, looks like no space again for you this time):
- Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 66
- Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, 59
- Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, 59
- Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, 59
- Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, 57
- Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, 57
- Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, 55
- Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli, 55
- Culture, Community and Youth Minister Grace Fu, 54
- Labour Chief Ng Chee Meng, 50
- Manpower Minister Josephine Teo, 50
- Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing, 49
- Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, 49
- Education Minister Ong Ye Kung, 48
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Chan Chun Sing conspicuously stands beside PM Lee after being elected into PAP CEC
Some have deemed the order in which the new People’s Action Party (PAP) Central Executive Committee (CEC) for 2019-2020 stood as the CEC election results were announced today to be a “dead giveaway” as to who will become Singapore’s fourth head of Government.
While all three men tipped to be the frontrunners to succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong were elected into the PAP CEC, Chan Chun Sing’s conspicuous position beside PM Lee has raised eyebrows and given rise to renewed speculation that he is the chosen one.
Along with Chan, who serves as Minister for Trade and Industry, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat and Education Minister Ong Ye Kung were among those elected into the ruling party’s highest decision-making body in the party. All three men have been deemed the frontrunners for the top position, although speculation that Chan will clinch the position has been especially resounding.
PAP leadership overhaul: New team at the top but it remains to be seen if they bring a new ‘political style’, say analysts
The new CEC elected on Sunday (Nov 11) will meet in a few weeks to determine its office-bearers, & several analysts told TODAY that they expect 2 of the front runners to succeed Mr Lee to assume the assistant secretary-general posts. And the person appointed as first assistant secretary-general will, in all likelihood, be in line to become Singapore’s fourth Prime Minister.
One analyst, however, felt that Mr Lee could “keep an old hand on board”, with Mr K Shanmugam appointed as 1 of the 2 assistant secretary-generals.
“From my perspective, I expect Mr Shanmugam to take on one of the posts while one of the three frontrunners take on the other,” said Assistant Professor Woo Jun Jie from the Nanyang Technological University’s School of Social Sciences. “If this happens, the 4G leader who takes on the assistant secretary-general role will likely become PM. At this point, it is difficult to tell who will take on this important role.”
Teo Chee Hean, Tharman among five PAP leaders to step down from CEC in major leadership transition
In a major leadership transition for the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), 5 of its senior leaders including Mr Teo Chee Hean and Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam — who hold the second-in-command positions — have stepped down from the party's central executive committee (CEC).
Announcing this at the PAP's Party Conference on Sunday (Nov 11), party secretary-general & Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong said that Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Mr Yaacob Ibrahim and Mr Lim Swee Say will also step down.
At present, the PAP’s incumbent first and second assistant secretary-general posts are Mr Teo & Mr Tharman, who are also Deputy Prime Ministers.
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DPMs Tharman, Teo Chee Hean and 3 senior PAP members step down from Central Executive Committee
5 senior members of the People’s Action Party (PAP) stepped down from its Central Executive Committee (CEC), party secretary-general Lee Hsien Loong announced on Sunday (Nov 11).
They are: Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, Deputy Prime Ministers Teo Chee Hean & Tharman Shanmugaratnam, as well as Dr Yaacob Ibrahim & Mr Lim Swee Say.
He was speaking at the PAP’s awards and conference, where the party elected a new slate of members into its CEC – the highest decision-making body in the party.
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5 senior PAP members step down from CEC, making way for 4G leaders
Five top brass from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) have stepped down from its highest committee, making way for fourth-generation leaders to take their spots in the next few days, both within the party and the government.
According to local media reports, Prime Minister and party leader Lee Hsien Loong, 66, made the announcement at the biennial PAP conference at the Singapore Expo on Sunday (11 November), where some 2,000 party cadres had gathered to vote.
Lee, who is incumbent secretary-general, said the new CEC will meet and elect its new office holders in less than two weeks. Following this, he will reshuffle the Cabinet.
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People's Action Party was live 2 hrs
TUNE IN LIVE from the PAP Conference and Awards 2018.
Secretary-General Lee Hsien Loong will be delivering his speech soon!
Connect with us: http://bit.ly/sure-sign-me-up
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PAP exco election set to give younger leaders bigger role in party
Someone from PAP's central executive committee will eventually become Singapore's next prime minister, taking over from PM Lee, who has made clear he intends to hand over to a successor by the time he turns 70, in 2022.
Younger ministers likely to take up more significant posts in top decision-making body.
By around 9am tomorrow, more than 2,000 People's Action Party (PAP) cadres would have made their way to a hall in the Singapore Expo in Changi. There, they will each be given a slip of paper with 19 names, seven of which will be highlighted.
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Akan Datang: A transition is under way in Singapore’s ruling party
The People’s Action Party, which has dominated Singapore politics since 1959, elected its new central executive committee (CEC) today. Several heavyweights, including the ever-popular Tharman Shanmugaratnam, stepped down to make way for more of the fourth generation (4G) leadership. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also said that today’s party conference might be the last before the general election—adding fuel to the rumours that he’ll call the election next year.
This new CEC is meant to give an idea of what leadership succession in the PAP is going to look like. Lee has said that he intends to step down from the top spot after the next election, and all three favourites for the premiership—Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing, Minster for Finance Heng Swee Keat and Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung—are in the new committee. But they haven’t decided what positions they’ll all be taking within the committee yet, so that’s something to watch out for in the coming weeks.
In other news, the government has slammed a news article published on States Times Review and The Coverage claiming that Lee is a “key investigation target” in Malaysia’s 1MDB probe as “fake news”. Both STR and The Coverage are far from credible news sites in Singapore or Malaysia and should always be taken with sacks full of salt, but the authorities have brought in the big guns: the Monetary Authority of Singapore filed a police report against STR, while the InfoComm Media Development Authority issued takedown orders to both STR and Facebook. STR refused to remove the article, and Singaporeans are now blocked from accessing the site. Facebook, too, refused to take down STR‘s post sharing its article, which has unfortunately given the government more ammunition to plump for its anti-fake news legislation. We’re going to have to keep our eyes peeled for the introduction of this law.
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