Lawrence Wong takes takes over as prime minister from his predecessor Lee Hsien Loong, who has led the nation state for the last 20 years.
Singapore’s Lawrence Wong was inaugurated as the city-state’s fourth prime minister on Wednesday, taking over from former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, who has led Singapore for 20 years.
Lee will stay on as senior minister in Wong’s new cabinet, which was announced on Monday, ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.
The new prime minister will also be supported by two deputies. Trade and industry minister Gan Kim Yong will be promoted to deputy prime minister and work alongside current DPM Heng Swee Keat.
“I have known both Kim Yong and Swee Keat for many years. I value their advice and counsel,” Wong said earlier this week.
Gan will also take over as chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the country’s central bank and financial regulator.
Wong was in civil service for 15 years before he entered politics in 2011. “This is my calling, I decided that being in public service is what I would like to do,” Wong said Tuesday in an interview with local media.
“I have been in politics since then… nearly 30 years of public service. I do not regret that at all. I found the journey very meaningful, very fulfilling.”
It was during the Covid-19 pandemic that Wong rose to political prominence, steering Singapore through the crisis along with Gan and current health minister Ong Ye Kung.
