‘It’s not a reality show’: Singapore’s Lee says decision on his successor will take ‘a little longer’ as 4G ministers search for ‘first among equals’ to be next PM
- Picking the city state’s next PM was a ‘deadly serious life-and-death decision’, Lee Hsien Loong told the People’s Action Party annual conference on Sunday
- He said the party’s 4G ministers has not reached a consensus yet, adding he was ‘confident they will settle it before the next general election comes around’
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said younger ministers tasked with picking someone among themselves to take over from him needed “a little longer” to make a decision, with a successor likely to be named well before elections due in 2025.
Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, 48, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, 52, and Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, 52, are seen as the most likely to succeed Lee.
Speaking on Sunday at the PAP’s annual conference, Lee said the fourth-generation, or “4G”, ministers tasked with picking a leader among themselves had emphasised that the issue was not about “selecting a boss or the winner of a race”.
“It’s not a reality show. It’s deadly serious life-and-death decisions for Singaporeans,” Lee told party members at the event, which was held in hybrid format.
“It’s about developing a strong team and settling among themselves a primus inter pares, a first among equals, one who can bring others together and bring out the best from every member of the team,” he said. “The 4G team will need a little longer to make a decision, but I am confident that they will settle it before the next general election comes around.”