THE prime minister of Singapore will officially step down from his post next month after twenty years of governing the richest nation in Southeast Asia.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has a few weeks left before he ends his reign as the third Prime Minister of Singapore on May 15.
Lee Hsien Loong, son of Singapore’s first Prime Minister, took office in 2004.
72-year-old Lee will be replaced by 51-year-old Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is also the Finance Minister.
Lee had previously indicated his intention to step down before his 70th birthday in February 2022, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed his plans.
He led the country through several crises and imposed critical changes during his 20-year reign.
The incoming Prime Minister announced that Lee would serve as a senior minister in his cabinet after he took over on May 15.
A new cabinet line-up is expected in a few days before he is sworn in as Singapore’s fourth prime minister next month.
Wong was named the leader of the ruling People’s Action Party’s (PAP) fourth-generation (4G) team two years ago, putting him in line to become the next Prime Minister.
In 2012, Lee said he did not want to remain as Prime Minister of Singapore beyond the age of 70.
