LEE HSIEN LOONG’S DESIGNATED SUCCESSOR OPTS OUT

Singapore Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat stepped aside as the designated successor to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, a surprise move that will likely push back a long-telegraphed power transition in the city-state, Philip Heijmans and Faris Mokhtar reported for Bloomberg News.

In a letter addressed to Lee on Thursday, Heng -- who turns 60 this year -- said the pandemic meant that he would likely be too old to take over as prime minister “when the crisis is over” roughly five years from now. He said a younger leader should take over instead, adding that he stands ready to support whoever is chosen by party officials.

With the successor to Lee Hsien Loong now out of the picture, the race to become the country’s next leader is suddenly wide open.

Lee on Thursday signaled the process could take several years, and the party aimed to have a successor in place by the next election due in 2025. The city-state has only had three prime ministers since independence, with one party ruling since 1965. Lee, 69, and his late father, Lee Kuan Yew, have run the country for all but nearly 14 years.

Here’s a shortlist of front-runners to succeed Lee: Chan Chun Sing, 51. The minister for trade and industry is one of the key members of the next generation of leaders in the People’s Action Party and was seen as one of the front-runners to succeed Lee before the general election last year. Known for his folksy style, Chan voiced strong views during the pandemic on everything from masks to panic food runs.

Last year, he reiterated the country’s commitment to globalization and attracting talent. Next is Ong Ye Kung, 51. The minister for transport has played a critical role in Singapore’s efforts to reopen its borders and strike reciprocal travel arrangements amid the pandemic.

Prior to having been appointed, Ong held various positions including chief executive officer of the Singapore Workforce Development Agency, principal private secretary to Prime Minister Lee, and deputy chief negotiator for the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.

Last is Lawrence Wong, 48. Wong has seen his profile rise as co-chair of the main government task force for fighting COVID-19. Known for a no-nonsense speaking manner, he played a critical role in bringing the pandemic in Singapore under control with measures such as mandatory mask-wearing while also helping to build ample medical capacity to deal with new infections.

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