4G leaders to draft Govt’s agenda for President’s address in May

SINGAPORE — The Republic’s fourth generation leaders have been tasked with drafting the Government’s agenda for the President’s address in May when Parliament reconvenes after a mid-term break, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Feb 27).

“It will give Singaporeans a better sense of them and their thoughts,” wrote Mr Lee, without giving further details.

Parliament reconvenes on Tuesday to debate the Budget statement delivered by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat last week. This will be followed by the Committee of Supply debates, where Members of Parliament discuss the plans and budgets of the various ministries.

Parliament will reconvene in May after a mid-term break. “The President’s address at the opening of Parliament will set out the Government’s programme for the rest of this term,” said Mr Lee.

Reiterating his plan to reshuffle the Cabinet after Parliament prorogues, Mr Lee said the move is aimed at giving the younger leaders more exposure and responsibility.

“This way, my successor will be supported by a stronger and more experienced team, committed to leading Singapore to a better and brighter future,” he added.

The prime minister told the Singapore media in January that the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle is unlikely to signal a frontrunner among the 4G ministers, and picking a leader among themselves could take “a bit longer” than nine months.

He added: “I think (the transition) would be done in good time, as they say. I would not be able to say for certain that it will be settled in next six to nine months, but it would have to be done in good time. I’m confident it would be.”

Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong sparked a new round of discussions on Singapore’s leadership transition late last year after he publicly expressed his hope that Mr Lee’s successor could be identified in the next six to nine months.

Mr Goh’s comments prompted 16 members of the 4G leadership to issue a joint response where they said they were aware of the urgency and would “settle on a leader from amongst us in good time”.