SINGAPORE — The Republic's much-anticipated political succession is gathering steam, with a team already in place and "put through its paces".

"The phase we are at now internally is that a team has been formed," said Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Monday (Sept 24).

"That team has been put through its paces, has held a variety of ministerial portfolios. They still need a little bit more time with Singaporeans so that Singaporeans can see them and assess them for themselves."

Speaking at a corporate governance event, Mr Shanmugam also said that the line-up of the People's Action Party's (PAP) next top decision-making body — which will be elected later this year at the ruling party's biennial party conference — will provide a clue as to who will succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Mr Shanmugam said: "This year, there will be a party conference, which happens once every two years. There will be a Central Executive Committee (CEC) elected."

He added: "Look out for the slate of candidates elected. Look at the positions they hold, and that should give you an indication of where the transition process is."

So far, three frontrunners have emerged for the top post: Mr Chan Chun Sing, 48, Mr Heng Swee Keat, 57 and Mr Ong Ye Kung, 48.

Nevertheless, in an interview with The Straits Times earlier this year, Mr Ong said he has someone in mind for the job, and suggested that it was not himself.

The incumbent PAP CEC, led by Mr Lee as the secretary-general, was elected at the last PAP party conference held on Dec 4, 2016. Several others were co-opted a month later.

Mr Chan and Mr Ong are currently organising secretaries, while Mr Heng is a CEC member.

Mr Lee has said he would not wish to be Prime Minister beyond 70 years old.

"Next year will be an important year because PM said he would step down in four years," said Mr Shanmugam.

With the next General Election (GE) due by April 2021, Mr Shanmugam noted that there has to be "some sort of indication to the public as to what the slate looks like in terms of the top leadership well before the GE".

"So look out for the CEC (to be elected later this year), look out for changes next year that should indicate to you how things are working out," he added.