'I have faith in our future leaders' - Singapore PM Lee plans to step aside in 2024 before next polls

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong intends to step aside from top job next year. - Photo from The Straits Times/ANN

SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he will hand over power to his deputy Lawrence Wong before the country’s next general election, and signaled the transition could come as early as 2024.

"I have full confidence in Lawrence and his team and there’s no reason to delay the political transition,” Lee, 71, said during the ruling party’s convention on Sunday. "Therefore, I intend to hand over to DPM Lawrence before the next general election.”