Author: Kurayoshi
Premier Lee's announcement on April 15 that he would hand over the baton to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on May 15 still had a somewhat shocking effect. (The Straits Times)
Singaporeans have been mentally prepared for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's retirement for a long time. Nonetheless, Premier Lee's announcement on April 15 that he would hand over the baton to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on May 15 had a somewhat shocking effect.
Lee Hsien Loong has led Singapore for 20 years and has a reputation for his outstanding political achievements. His political standing in the international arena has been as positively affirmed as Singapore's statehood.
Lee Hsien Loong has led Singapore for 20 years and has a reputation for his outstanding political achievements. (Lianhe Zaobao)
Singapore's politics is predictable, and the trust of foreign investors and foreign billionaires who come here to invest and move their personal wealth here is a sign of trust in Singapore and its political leaders.
Premier Lee has relieved himself of his heavy burden, and this has naturally become the focus of attention of people at home and abroad. The response of Singapore's business community and economists has been to be calm.
In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Dr. Tan Cheng, chairman of Singapore's Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, said that Singapore's economic growth this year will be better than last year's, and it is estimated that it is also one of the factors to consider in handing over the baton.
"If Singapore's economy is sluggish, or if it announces handover at a time when the economy is in a downturn, it is irresponsible to leave the problem to the next prime minister. If Lawrence Wong is to be given a strong mandate from the people in the next general election, the prime minister will not be able to announce the handover too late. ”
Lee Hsien Loong's retirement plan has been postponed for two years due to the pandemic, and now that the post-pandemic recovery is getting stronger, it is "time ripe".
Political observers and economists have given positive reviews, reflecting a certain amount of confidence in Mr. Wong's leadership. Lee Hsien Loong, who has high requirements for the quality of his successor, is reassured by the fourth-generation leader, which is the strongest signal to Singaporeans.
On 5 November 2023, PAP Secretary-General Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (first row, left), DAP Deputy Secretary-General Lawrence Wong (second row, left), DAP Chairman Heng Swee Keat (first row, right) and DAP Deputy Chairman Ma Sin Koh (second row, right) led the party Central Committee to the venue. (The Straits Times)
The calm and composure of the fourth-generation team led by Lawrence Wong in handling the 2019 coronavirus crisis indicates that this will be the fourth-generation leadership style.
The United States has curbed the rise of China's national power, and more American allies have supported the United States, and the situation in the Middle East has changed dramatically, and more intense military conflicts between Israel, Palestine, and Iran have added many variables to world peace.
In a hostile environment, Singapore needs experienced and unflapping political leaders to guide Singaporeans, and Lee Hsien Loong has set a high example of political leadership.
Lee Hsien Loong contributed the golden years of his life to the country, and will future leaders be able to remain in office for as long as the previous three leaders? For Lawrence Wong, this will be a marathon, not a mid-distance relay race.
A voter in Lawrence Wong's Marsiling-Yau Chi GRC said:
"He has performed well in this year's budget, and he is also very clear in his statement of national planning and financial investment, which is easier for the public to understand. ”
This observation is quite pertinent, and a leader's ability to communicate is a core factor in the effective leadership of the country.
Lawrence Wong's communication skills have been evident during the pandemic. (The Straits Times)
During the epidemic, Lawrence Wong reported on the progress of the fight against the epidemic on television almost every day, and when the situation was not good, the leaders' calm analysis and effective guidance strengthened people's psychological factors to cope with the crisis, and Wong did indeed do it.
From the Ministry of National Development, the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Finance, he has accumulated rich experience in several important departments.
Leaders must understand everything, and this is what clearly distinguishes Singapore's political leaders from most countries around the world. Ministers in various departments must also be more aware of the affairs they administer than their right-hand men and senior civil servants in their departments.
"Nothing is done personally, down to the smallest detail", this is the self-requirement established by founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, which has also become the standard by which Singaporeans evaluate the leadership of leaders. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has promised Prime Minister-designate Lawrence Wong to remain in the Cabinet as Senior Minister of State after leaving office.
Even with a senior state counsellor, Lawrence Wong still has a long way to go, and he must continue to earn the trust of Singaporeans, whose long-term trust can propel him further and further on the road of governance.