Can Lawrence Wong lead freely with PM Lee remaining as Senior Minister?
SINGAPORE: Lee Hsien Yang, the estranged younger brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has raised doubts about whether Finance Minister Lawrence Wong will truly be able to lead Singapore independently when he takes over as Prime Minister on May 15, given PM Lee’s decision to stay in the Cabinet as Senior Minister.
In a Facebook post, Mr. Lee Hsien Yang questioned the extent of autonomy Mr. Wong will have:
“PM Lee Hsien Loong will become SM Lee Hsien Loong. So can Lawrence Wong really call the shots? Is Lawrence Wong taking over the reins of the PAP, or does LHL intend to remain secretary-general? Is this a false dawn?”
The Senior Minister role in Singapore traditionally serves as an advisory position. Senior Ministers provide guidance, advice, and support to the Prime Minister and government, often acting as mentors to younger leaders. However, Mr. Lee Hsien Yang’s comments allude to the influence wielded by his father, Lee Kuan Yew, when he held the Senior Minister position after stepping down as Prime Minister in 1990.
Continuity in Leadership
Lawrence Wong has announced that significant Cabinet changes will occur only after the next General Election, with existing ministers retaining their current portfolios for now. He emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity in leadership, saying:
“Our system works on the basis of continuity and progressive change. It has never been the case that when there is a leadership transition, all the older ministers step down at the same time. Instead, they continue to contribute in different ways, while making room for the younger ones to step up.”
Mr. Wong expressed gratitude for PM Lee’s continued presence, citing the precedents set by former Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong, who also remained in the Cabinet as Senior Ministers after stepping down.
Challenges Ahead
While the impending leadership transition aligns with Singapore’s tradition of gradual succession, questions about the dynamic between Mr. Wong and his predecessor are expected to persist. Whether Mr. Wong can exercise full authority as Prime Minister with PM Lee still in the Cabinet will likely be scrutinized in the coming months.
