Wong is new 4G team leader

Finance Minister Lawrence Wong (pic) has been selected to be the leader of the ruling People’s Action Party’s (PAP) fourth-generation (4G) team, paving the way for him to be the next prime minister.

Cabinet ministers affirmed their choice of Wong, 49, as the leader of the 4G team on Thursday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a statement.

This decision was then endorsed by all government MPs in a party caucus, added Lee, who is secretary-general of the PAP.

The statement comes a year after Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, 61, announced he had decided to step aside as leader of the 4G team to pave the way for a younger person with a longer runway to lead the country when Lee retires.

At the time, the 4G ministers had asked for more time to reach a consensus on their next leader, as the country was still battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

But with the pandemic situation having stabilised recently, they were able to relook the issue of succession.

Giving details of how the decision was reached, Lee said that after consulting the ministers, he asked former minister Khaw Boon Wan, a former PAP chairman, to start a process involving the ministers, as well as Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng, both ex-4G ministers.

“Khaw met each one of them individually to sound out their personal views in confidence and to facilitate a new consensus on a 4G leader.

“The views of the Prime Minister and the two Senior Ministers were not sought.

“He found that the overwhelming majority of those consulted supported Wong as the leader,” the statement said.”

Khaw on Thursday briefed Cabinet ministers, as well as Tan and Ng, on his findings, and all endorsed the decision for Wong to lead the team.

This decision was subsequently presented to and endorsed by PAP MPs in the evening.

The statement also said Lee will make adjustments to Cabinet appointments and these will be announced in due course.

“This decision on succession is a crucial one for Singapore. It will ensure the continuity and stability of leadership that are the hallmarks of our system,” Lee said in a Facebook post.

“The right to lead is not inherited. It has to be earned afresh by each generation of leaders. Singapore will always need a strong team in charge, with a leader who can bring others together and draw out the best of each team member.

“I have every confidence that Lawrence and his team will continue to give their best for Singapore and Singaporeans.”

Wong said in a Facebook post that he was humbled and grateful for the trust and confidence of his colleagues who had chosen him to lead them, and for the support of his fellow MPs.

“From the very beginning in 1959, our model of political leadership has never been about one person, but the team.

“Each of us contributes, complements each other, and gives our best to Singapore,” he said.

“It is my privilege to be called upon to lead this team. I will do my utmost to uphold this responsibility. But as we have been reminded many times, the right to lead cannot be inherited.

“Together with the rest of the 4G team, I will continue to serve Singaporeans wholeheartedly, and strive to earn the trust and support of each and every one of our fellow citizens.” — The Straits Times/ANN