SINGAPORE — Singapore is in good hands under the stewardship of Mr Lawrence Wong, the country's fourth and new prime minister, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said.

Speaking on Wednesday (May 15) before Mr Wong took his oath, Mr Tharman said that the new prime minister and his team will build on the strong foundations laid by previous leaders and governments, and “keep our little red dot shining ever more brightly”.

“Our best years still lie ahead of us,” he added. 

Hundreds of people — including healthcare workers, religious leaders, teachers, students and community volunteers — gathered at the Istana on Wednesday evening to witness Singapore’s third leadership handover in 59 years.

On Monday, Mr Tharman acknowledged Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s intention to resign and, on Mr Lee's advice, invited Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to form the next government. 

Mr Lee has served as prime minister since 2004. On Wednesday, he was sworn in as senior minister.

Mr Tharman said that he has full confidence in Mr Wong’s ability to lead the nation. 

“He will be his own person, with his own approach to building consensus and finding the best way forward for the country. And he will no doubt do so to his own rhythm and beat.”

Mr Wong is taking over as Singapore’s leader in a time of big power contestation and a weakening international order, Mr Tharman said. 

However, he said that the prime minister and his team — comprising experienced hands and fourth-generation, or 4G, leaders — are well-placed to secure the country’s national interests and advance unity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

He highlighted Mr Wong’s role in shaping Singapore’s economic, fiscal and social policies and his work to advance the interests of workers.

“As co-chair of the Covid-19 task force, he was calm and decisive under pressure. And on the global stage, he holds his own with international leaders.”

Mr Tharman also noted that Mr Wong and the 4G team want to refresh Singapore’s social compact and have laid out their Forward SG roadmap.

More than 200,000 Singaporeans took part in dialogues and engagement sessions to discuss issues ranging from ageing to careers as part of the Forward SG exercise.

The exercise, which began in June 2022 and continued for 16 months, was led by Mr Wong and other 4G leaders.

“They will have to find creative ways to deepen our connections as fellow Singaporeans, as our society continues to evolve and people have more diverse views and interests,” Mr Tharman said.

He described Mr Wong as “first and foremost someone who listens”.

“Those who have worked with Mr Wong, in government and in the community, know that he brings his own package of convictions, life experiences and skills.”

Mr Tharman also said that he is committed to working with the prime minister and his government, and that he has had candid private discussions with Mr Lee in the past eight months.

“We have had a shared understanding of our respective roles and responsibilities in Singapore’s system of governance. I look forward to maintaining this close and productive relationship with Mr Wong,” he added.

ON LEE HSIEN LOONG

Mr Tharman also thanked Mr Lee for his service to Singapore and his “exceptional leadership” as prime minister for two decades.

“In 2004, when Mr Lee was sworn in, he promised to “be a prime minister for all Singaporeans” and to leave no one behind.  He delivered on this promise,” Mr Tharman said.

“Singapore has a transformed economy, with good jobs in every sector and substantially higher real incomes across the workforce.”

He added that Singapore has become more inclusive and does more to uplift groups with disadvantages.

“Mr Lee also kept the population’s spirits intact through the global financial crisis and Covid-19 pandemic, the major crises that divided many other societies.

“And he steered us through contentious issues like the repeal of Section 377A, strengthening understanding and acceptance of each other and preserving cohesion.”

Above all, the norms and standards that Mr Lee upheld and reinforced define his most important legacy, Mr Tharman said. He himself served as Mr Lee’s deputy and as senior minister before stepping down to run for the presidency.

These included Mr Lee's "selflessness and personal integrity, and the expectations of high standards of conduct that he set for those in political office, his making time to listen to people from all walks of life and different points of view, in making decisions that are fair and in the best interests of Singaporeans, his resolve to tackle difficult issues early, never leaving them to future leaders to resolve, even if it means paying an immediate political price”.

Governments can reverse policies, but there is no way to turn things around when standards slide, Mr Tharman added. 

“Public distrust grows, political leaders respond by avoiding essential decisions for the country’s future, those who enter politics lack conviction, and the downward spiral continues.”

On Wednesday, Singapore begins a new chapter under Mr Wong’s leadership after a smooth and orderly transition, Mr Tharman pronounced.

“We must never let slide the expectations of integrity, incorruptibility and conduct that Mr Lee and his predecessors established.” CNA