The skyline of Marina Bay Sands Central Business District in Singapore on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
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SINGAPORE – Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister announced on Thursday that he will step aside so that a “younger leader with a longer track can take over”.
Heng Swee Keat, who was expected to take over from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, is also finance minister and coordinating economic policy minister.
Heng will leave his post as finance minister in the next reshuffle of the Cabinet, but will continue in his other roles.
Lee previously said he will remain prime minister until the Covid-19 crisis ends. Heng was expected to take over, but will now step aside as the leader of the so-called “4G team”, or the leadership of Singapore’s fourth generation.
We need a leader who will not only rebuild Singapore after COVID-19, but also lead the next phase of our nation-building efforts.
Heng Swee Keat
Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore
In a letter to the prime minister, Heng noted that this year marks his 60th birthday.
“When I also consider the ages at which our first three prime ministers have taken over the job, I would have too short a track to become the next prime minister,” he said. “We need a leader who will not only rebuild Singapore after COVID-19, but also lead the next phase of our nation-building efforts.”
“After careful deliberation and discussions with my family, I have decided to step aside as the leader of the 4G (fourth generation) team, so that a younger leader with a longer track can take over,” he said in the letter. “It will be up to the 4G team to choose that person and I am willing to support the next leader.”
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat greets during a walking campaign ahead of the July 8, 2020 general election in Singapore.
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Lee said he understands and respects Heng’s decision, calling it “disinterested.” He added that Heng will help guide younger ministers as they choose another leader to ensure a “smooth and timely leadership transition.”
Singapore’s “4G leaders” said in a statement that they were happy that Heng would continue to be a member of his team while he continued in his other portfolios.
“We appreciate the difficult decision that must have been … We know he has made the decision given Singapore’s long-term interests,” they said.
However, they acknowledged that the “unexpected turn of events is a setback” for their succession planning and said they were grateful that the prime minister had agreed to stay until a new successor was ready to take over. relief.