Lawrence Wong sworn in as Singapore's Prime Minister
Lawrence Wong was sworn in as Singapore’s fourth Prime Minister on Wednesday (May 15), marking the country’s first leadership transition in 20 years. Mr Wong, 51, is the first Singapore Prime Minister born after the country’s independence in 1965.
Speaking after he and his Cabinet were sworn in at the Istana, Mr Wong said his team will "lead in our own way" and with a style different from previous generations. He paid tribute to his predecessor Lee Hsien Loong who will remain in the Cabinet as Senior Minister. “We owe him a great debt of gratitude,” Mr Wong said.
Mr Wong made small changes to the Cabinet on Monday, retaining his finance portfolio and promoting seasoned politician Gan Kim Yong to Deputy Prime Minister. Continuity and stability were key considerations.
Lawrence Wong’s first speech as prime minister at swearing-in ceremony
Mr Lawrence Wong delivered his first speech as prime minister at a swearing-in ceremony at the Istana on Wednesday (May 15). He pledged to serve Singaporeans with all his heart, and promised they will all have a stake in Singapore’s progress and shaping its future.
Opposition parties congratulate incoming PM Lawrence Wong
Mr Lawrence Wong sworn in as Singapore's fourth prime minister on May 15. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Some opposition parties congratulated Mr Lawrence Wong ahead of his swearing-in as prime minister at the Istana on May 15, while thanking outgoing prime minister Lee Hsien Loong for his decades of public service and leadership.
The parties currently with representatives in Parliament – the Workers’ Party (WP) and the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) – also took the opportunity to set the tone for the working relationship they want to establish with Singapore’s new prime minister. The WP said Mr Wong is taking over in an era of greater political contestation, with voters expecting greater transparency and a greater say in public policies.
The PSP said in a message signed off by the party’s secretary-general Hazel Poa that it wants to shape the outcome of political decisions with other political parties. Ms Poa, who is also a Non-Constituency MP (NCMP), noted Mr Wong’s comments in recent interviews where he had said the opposition presence is here to stay. The PSP echoes this view and looks forward to playing a constructive part in nation-building efforts, she added.
Lawrence Wong sworn in as S'pore's 4th PM
Looking solemn and composed, Mr Wong, dressed in a dark blue suit, holds up his right hand and affirms that he will at all times faithfully discharge his duties as Prime Minister.
He vows to do so to the best of his knowledge and ability, without fear or favour, affection or ill will. This is witnessed by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam hands him the scroll, the instrument of appointment, formally declaring Mr Wong as Prime Minister. The guests applaud as Mr Shanmugaratnam exchanges some words with Mr Wong.
Wife Of PM Lawrence Wong Is So Pretty, Netizens Are Saying She Looks Like A "Korean Actress”
It was her husband's swearing-in ceremony, but thanks to her beauty, Loo Tze Lui was the one who turned heads tonight
All eyes are on newly-minted Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, 51, as he takes over from now-senior minister, Lee Hsien Loong today (May 15). All that focus on our new PM has also catapulted his wife, Loo Tze Lui, into the spotlight. PM Wong’s marriage to Loo Tze Lui is his second. The pair do not have kids, and the latter is known to keep a very low profile, hardly appearing in any of PM Wong’s social media posts.
Ms Loo used to be a banker, and was on the board of directors for the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) up till 2023. According to reports, she currently works in wealth management. Last September, Ms Loo was seen alongside PM Wong at President Tharman’s inauguration at the Istana. Her appearance quickly turned her into a widely discussed topic on social media, with many netizens taking notice of her elegance and beauty.
Some dubbed her “Singapore’s prettiest Prime Minister wife”, while other netizens have said she gives off a “Korean star vibe”. She again impressed many with her grace and beauty earlier tonight during her husband’s swearing-in ceremony. She had on simple black dress and necklace, much like the classic outfit she wore during President Tharman's inauguration ceremony.
DPM Lawrence Wong to take over from PM Lee
After he is sworn in, DPM Lawrence Wong (right) will be Singapore’s fourth prime minister, succeeding PM Lee Hsien Loong. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Singapore will have a new prime minister on May 15, with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong set to take over from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on that day.
The date for the handover was announced in a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on April 15, a key detail in Singapore’s long-planned leadership transition from the third-generation to the fourth-generation (4G) political team.
After he is sworn in at 8pm on May 15 at the Istana, DPM Wong, who entered politics 13 years ago, will be Singapore’s fourth prime minister.
related:
‘I am stepping down as PM but I am not stopping work!’: PM Lee
Noting that several people had wished him a happy retirement, Mr Lee Hsien Loong (centre) clarified in a Facebook post on May 7 that he is not retiring. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that while he is stepping down from his role soon, he will continue to remain in the Government and serve as an MP.
Singapore will have a new prime minister from May 15, when Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong takes over the role.
Noting that several people had wished him a happy retirement, PM Lee clarified in a Facebook post on May 7 that he is not retiring. He wrote: “I am stepping down as PM but I am not stopping work! I will remain in Government and continue serving as MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC. “I will do whatever I can to help PM Lawrence and his team succeed.”
related: Singapore unveils new Cabinet
PM Lee to stay on as Senior Minister; any major Cabinet changes will come after GE
Bigger changes to the Cabinet will likely happen only after the General Election, which must be held by November 2025, said Mr Wong
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will stay in the Cabinet as Senior Minister after stepping down as leader of the government, but there won't be many changes to the rest of the lineup for now, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday (Apr 16).
Details of a Cabinet reshuffle will be announced a few days before the swearing-in ceremony on May 15, Mr Wong, Singapore's next Prime Minister, told reporters a day after the leadership handover date was announced. "Our system works on the basis of continuity and progressive change. It has never been the case that when there is a leadership transition, all the older ministers step down at the same time," he said. "Instead, they continue to contribute in different ways, while making room for the younger ones to step up. So I will adopt the same approach when I take over."
Mr Wong, who is also Finance Minister, said he is glad Mr Lee has agreed to stay in the Cabinet as Senior Minister. Former Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong also served as Senior Ministers after stepping down.
Singapore’s new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will take office on May 15
Singapore’s new prime minister Lawrence Wong will be sworn in on May 15, 2024. The current prime minister Lee Hsien Loong announced on April 15 that he will be stepping down and handing the leadership reins to Wong. Ore Huiying | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will step down on May 15 and hand over the power to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, the Prime Minister’s Office said on Monday.
Wong will be sworn in at 8 p.m. local time that day to become Singapore’s fourth prime minister since its independence in 1965.
Lee announced in November that Wong will take the reins from him as leader of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) before the next general election due November 2025. Lee has served as prime minister since 2004. Wong has the unanimous support of the PAP members of parliament, the PMO statement said.
Lawrence Wong announces changes to Singapore Cabinet
Incoming Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced changes to Singapore's Cabinet in a press conference held on Monday (May 13).
Mr Gan Kim Yong will be promoted to Deputy Prime Minister alongside current Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.
Mr Wong also announced other promotions and appointments but did not make major changes to the ministers helming each ministry, citing continuity and stability as "key considerations" as the government approaches the end of its current term.
Gan Kim Yong to become DPM in Singapore Cabinet changes
Mr Gan Kim Yong will be promoted to Deputy Prime Minister as part of a Cabinet reshuffle announced on Monday (May 13) by incoming Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Mr Gan, 65, will remain as Trade and Industry Minister and will be the Acting Prime Minister in the absence of the Prime Minister.
He will also take over as the chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore and assume responsibility for the Strategy Group within the Prime Minister's Office. Mr Gan will be appointed to his new roles on Wednesday when Mr Wong officially takes over the leadership reins from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Current Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, 63, will continue in his role. Mr Wong, 51, also announced other promotions and appointments on Monday, but there were no major changes to the ministers helming each ministry in this reshuffle.
related:
Singapore's incoming PM makes minor cabinet reshuffle, seeks 'continuity and stability'
Wong will retain the finance portfolio and takes over on Wednesday from 72-year-old Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Lee, the son of the founding father of modern Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, will remain in cabinet as senior minister, in accordance with tradition.
"Continuity and stability are key considerations, especially as we are approaching the end of this term of government," Wong told a press conference attended by local media.
The reshuffle was minor and included the promotion of several junior ministers plus the appointed of two parliamentary backbenchers to junior ministerial positions. Singapore must hold its next general election by November 2025, at which Wong will lead the People's Action Party (PAP), which has ruled the wealthy city-state since 1959. Wong is among 15 senior PAP members referred to locally as 4G leaders, a fourth generation that was hand-picked to succeed Lee and his cabinet for a carefully calibrated transition of power in the Asian financial hub. Wong has said he would make bigger changes to his cabinet after the election.
Singapore’s Lee Hsien Loong will hand over power to deputy Lawrence Wong on May 15
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (left) and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong. Lee will step down next month and his deputy Wong will take over. Photo: AFP
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will hand over power on May 15 to his deputy Lawrence Wong in only the country’s third leadership transition since independence in 1965 after an unusually winding road to the succession.
Wong, 51, who became deputy prime minister in 2022 after he was chosen by his peers to lead them, has not had the same length of apprenticeship as Lee or the latter’s predecessor, Goh Chok Tong.
Wong is the youngest among three front runners in the city state’s fourth-generation leaders initially tipped for the top post. A dark-horse candidate, the current finance minister made his mark as co-leader of the government’s Covid task force.
Lee Hsien Loong 1 hr ago
Last November, I announced my intention to step down as Prime Minister this year.
I will relinquish my role as Prime Minister on 15 May 2024 and DPM Lawrence Wong will be sworn in as the next Prime Minister on the same day.
For any country, a leadership transition is a significant moment. Lawrence and the 4G team have worked hard to gain the people’s trust, notably during the pandemic. Through the Forward Singapore exercise, they have worked with many Singaporeans to refresh our social compact and develop the national agenda for a new generation.
The 4G team are committed to keeping Singapore working well and moving ahead. These will always be top priorities for the government.
I ask all Singaporeans to give Lawrence and his team your full support, and work with them to create a brighter future for Singapore. – LHL
Statement on the Handover Date (Apr 2024)
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will relinquish his office on 15 May 2024.
He will formally advise the President to appoint Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Lawrence Wong to succeed him. DPM Wong has the unanimous support of the PAP MPs.
The new Prime Minister will be sworn in at 8.00 pm on 15 May 2024 at the Istana.
What we know about Singapore's fourth Prime Minister Lawrence Wong
Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (centre), with his wife Ms Loo Tze Lui on his right, meets Malaysian Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and his spouse Johanna Raja Arshad (first from left) on Sep 4, 2022
Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, the son of a sales manager father and school teacher mother, will take over the leadership reins from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on May 15 when he becomes Singapore's fourth Prime Minister.
On the personal front, Mr Wong grew up in what he described as an “ordinary family” in the Marine Parade HDB estate. His late father was born in China’s Hainan Island, went to Malaysia as a young boy before moving to Singapore to work in a sales job. His mother was a teacher. Describing her as a disciplinarian both in school and at home, Mr Wong has spoken highly of his mother in several interviews and public speeches for managing to teach while caring for him and his brother.
Outside of work, Mr Wong is married to Ms Loo Tze Lui. The couple do not have children. He is known to be an avid music lover and skilled guitar player. His love for the guitar goes back to when his father gave him his first guitar at the age of eight. He spent his weekends borrowing guitar books from the old Marine Parade library and when he got a government scholarship to study in the United States, he made sure to bring his guitar along. Mr Wong has said that playing the guitar helps him to destress and unwind. The incoming Prime Minister has posted several videos of him strumming his six string, including an acoustic rendition of American pop star Taylor Swift’s hit song Love Story as a tribute to educators on Teachers’ Day last year.
From Lee Kuan Yew to Lawrence Wong: The changing leadership styles of Singapore’s Prime Ministers
From left to right, Singapore's Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew (1959-1990), Goh Chok Tong (1990-2004) and Lee Hsien Loong (since 2004); and the PM-in-waiting Lawrence Wong. (Photos: AFP/Roslan Rahman, Julien de Rosa)
Even before Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong takes office as Singapore’s fourth PM on May 15, he has already provided a glimpse of what could be his approach to governance. With the Forward Singapore exercise led by him and the rest of the country’s fourth-generation or 4G leadership, there appears to be a willingness to listen to the people more and possibly shake up the social compact, political observers told CNA.
If that is a response to the challenges of today, then it is in step with how the leadership styles of Singapore's different Prime Ministers have evolved over the years to reflect their respective domestic and global circumstances, the observers added. “That said, the common thread throughout was the focus on economic pragmatism, which is expected to continue,” said Ms Nydia Ngiow, managing director of BowerGroupAsia in Singapore:
- FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL - The impending leadership transition will be the third for Singapore, which gained independence in 1965. Its first Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, was sworn in in 1959, and the late Mr Lee had to deal with a well-documented list of existential issues from colonialism to separation from Malaysia.
- A GENTLER GOVERNMENT - When Mr Goh Chok Tong took over as Prime Minister in 1990, it heralded a period when Singapore thrived economically and Singaporeans enjoyed wealth, safety and security, experts noted.
- FOCUS ON THE SOCIAL - Being the son of the first prime minister, incumbent PM Lee was likely exposed to affairs of state from a young age and has had “a super long runway in politics”, said Assoc Prof Singh. With this heightened political sense, PM Lee has been clear in communicating his policies to the people, both on domestic and foreign policy issues, Assoc Prof Singh added.
- THE FOURTH GENERATION - Mr Wong will take the reins against this backdrop – and early signs show an intention to focus on the "common ground" and on "hearing a diverse range of perspectives and views and staying open to different ideas”, in his own words.
Prime Ministers of Singapore
Lee Kuan Yew (Appointed) Term of Office: 5 Jun 1959 - 28 Nov 1990
Goh Chok Tong (Appointed) Term of Office: 28 Nov 1990 - 12 Aug 2004
Lee Hsien Loong (Appointed) Term of Office: 12 Aug 2004 - 15 May 2024
Lawrence Wong (Appointed) Term of Office: 15 May 2024
The Prime Minister of Singapore is the head of government of the Republic of Singapore. The president appoints the prime minister, a Member of Parliament (MP) who in their opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of the majority of MPs. The incumbent prime minister is Lee Hsien Loong, who took office on 12 August 2004. Singapore is modelled after the Westminster system. The prime minister only governs with the confidence of the majority in Parliament; as such, the prime minister typically sits as a Member of Parliament (MP) and leads the largest party or a coalition of parties. In practice, the prime minister is the leader of the majority party in Parliament.
The office of Prime Minister succeeded the office of Chief Minister in 1959 after Singapore had attained self-governance from the United Kingdom, as the State of Singapore, with Lee Kuan Yew being sworn in as the first prime minister on 5 June 1959. With respect to Singapore's autonomous status in the Malaysia Agreement, the title of prime minister remained unchanged after Singapore's merger with Malaya, Sarawak and North Borneo to form Malaysia in 1963, despite the existence of the prime minister of Malaysia for the entire federation of which Singapore was briefly a part of.
Following the independence of Singapore in 1965, the office of Prime Minister was retained, with the president of Singapore becoming a ceremonial head of state. In 1991, amendments to the Constitution of Singapore vested executive powers in the presidency, along with discretionary veto powers over the government. The Constitution also vests "general direction and control of the government" in the Cabinet, with the president almost always bound to act on the advice of the Cabinet or any minister acting under the Cabinet authority. Thus, in practice, most of the actual work of governing is done by the prime minister and Cabinet. Under Article 26(4)(a) of the Constitution of Singapore, the prime minister may appoint a Cabinet minister, subject to presidential approval, as acting prime minister if the prime minister is on medical leave, away from Singapore or is granted a leave of absence under Article 32 of the Constitution. The deputy prime minister or senior minister will usually become the acting prime minister, but any Cabinet minister may be appointed to the role.
