Singapore’s Lawrence Wong forges personal ties with Malaysian leaders in first trip as PM-in-waiting

Wong, who will succeed PM Lee in a few years, paid calls to a raft of senior Malaysian ministers and the king during his four-day visit

Analysts say he is laying the groundwork to strengthening relationships with key partners ahead of his ascension to the top job

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Lawrence Wong and Malaysian finance minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz strum guitars after a private dinner on September 4, 2022. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:21pm, 6 Sep 2022Updated: 10:39pm, 6 Sep 2022

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s visit to Malaysia this week is part of a bid to forge personal relationships with neighbours and key strategic partners before he succeeds Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, analysts say.

Wong, 49, on Sunday made his first working trip to the city state’s northern neighbour since he was promoted in June, following a decision by the ruling People’s Action Party to designate him as the leader of its so-called fourth generation (4G) of ministers.

Lee, 70, has said he will retire before or after elections due by 2025.

Wong’s four-day itinerary in Malaysia was expected of a high-profile visit, observers said. He paid courtesy calls on Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Senior Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus.

Wong, who is also finance minister, was granted an audience with the Malaysian king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, on Tuesday as well.

Despite the officious nature of his meetings, Wong sought to highlight the lighter moments of his engagements on social media.