SINGAPORE — Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said on Thursday (April 14) that he was humbled and grateful for the trust and confidence of his colleagues, after being named the leader of the fourth generation of Singapore’s political leadership, or 4G.
“It is my privilege to be called upon to lead this team. I will do my utmost to uphold this responsibility,” he wrote on Facebook.
“But as we have been reminded many times, the right to lead cannot be inherited.”
Mr Wong said that since 1959, when Singapore held its first General Election as a fully self-governing state, the country’s model of political leadership has never been about one person, but the team.
“My colleagues in the 4G leadership have stood shoulder to shoulder with each other in the fight against Covid-19. The experience of the past two years has cemented our cohesiveness and strengthened our resolve to steward Singapore safely through this crisis and beyond,” Mr Wong said.
“Together with the rest of the 4G team, I will continue to serve Singaporeans wholeheartedly, and strive to earn the trust and support of each and every one of our fellow citizens.”
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in a Facebook post shortly after he announced the 4G leadership team's pick of Mr Wong, expressed his confidence that Mr Wong and the 4G team will continue to give their best for Singapore and Singaporeans.
“Singapore will always need a strong team in charge, with a leader who can bring others together, and draw out the best of each team member,” Mr Lee said.
“This decision is a crucial one for Singapore. It will ensure the continuity and stability of leadership that are the hallmarks of our system.”
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, who before Thursday had been regarded as a contender for the country's top job, also commented on the 4G leadership's decision to name Mr Wong as first among equals.
“Congratulations to Lawrence Wong! Am glad the team has come to a decision on the succession,” Mr Chan wrote on Facebook.
“I deeply appreciate the camaraderie that we have shared over the years and look forward to continue working closely with him and the team to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead of us,” said Mr Chan, who entered politics alongside Mr Wong in 2011.
Mr Chan said that although Singapore has begun emerging from the pandemic, there remain many geopolitical and economic uncertainties and social challenges that the country will have to overcome.
“The 4G team will continue to work closely together with Singaporeans to improve their lives while seizing opportunities to leave behind a better Singapore for future generations.”
Lawrence Wong's wife is Loo Tze Lui.
Tze Lui presently runs a single family office (“SFO”) and has over 25 years of experience in the areas of finance and investments. She spent 12 years in banking (corporate finance and wealth management) followed by 4 years at an institutional real estate investment fund before joining the SFO where she manages the public markets portfolio, direct investments and oversees real estate assets.
Tze Lui graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance. She has been volunteering with YMCA of Singapore for more than 10 years.
https://www.ymca.org.sg/about-us/board-of-directors/ms-loo-tze-lui/
Investment Management, Family Office
Sandalwood Associates / Immobillari /Lim Teck Lee Group
2011 - Present · 11 yrs 4 mos
Real Estate Direct Investment
Pacific Star Group
2006 - 2010 · 4 yrs
Wealth Management
UBS Wealth Management
2003 - 2006 · 3 yrs
Corporate Finance
BNP Paribas
1999 - 2003 · 4 yrs
Corporate Finance
OCBC Bank
1997 - 1999 · 2 yrs
Corporate Finance
Citi
1994 - 1997 · 3 yrs
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tze-lui-loo-ba02aa5/?originalSubdomain=sg
Singapore's next PM Wong is little known to Asean: Jakarta Post contributor
JAKARTA (THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Since the establishment of Asean on Aug 8, 1967, Singapore has been one of the anchors of the regional grouping along with other founding member countries Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.
In particular, the triangle connection between the leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore is often described as the reflection of Asean's face. They have demonstrated leadership in punishing Myanmar's junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing for arrogantly breaking his promise to Asean leaders.
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has been in power since 2004, and therefore has deep knowledge and strong personal relationships with other Asean leaders at various levels.
Even before assuming the post, his predecessor Goh Chok Tong gave him extensive access to Asean as deputy prime minister.
PM Lee's father Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father and first prime minister, also mentored him for years not just to lead the city-state, but also to become a leading player in the regional trading bloc.
Singapore is tiny in terms of size and population but gigantic in terms of economic power. It is a destination of foreign direct investment and sets a world standard in clean governance. It is also among the wealthiest nations in the world.
Therefore, Singapore's stability is also instrumental in the growth of the regional economy because of its role as one of the world's top financial hubs.
At the age of 70, PM Lee needs to make it clear to neighbors near and far who will succeed him.
And the potential next prime minister must familiarize himself as early as possible with the neighboring countries, just to avoid a generational gap between the older and younger generations of regional leaders.
Just recently, PM Lee revealed incumbent Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, 49, as his successor.
The announcement, however, has received a lukewarm welcome at home and in other Asean members. PM Lee will only transfer the power in 2025 and there is the precedent that PM Lee dismissed his heir-apparent due to a poor election showing of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).
It is also possible that PM Lee is not ready to leave politics yet. A similar situation also happens in other Asean countries, where democracy is a luxury.
Mr Wong is expected to become Singapore's fourth generation (4G) leader, after the late Lee Sr., Mr Goh and Mr Lee Jr. Mr Wong will bear the responsibility to lead the PAP to a majority win in the general election in 2025, which will be the final and most difficult leadership test for PM Lee.
Mr Wong came to public attention because of his role as the co-chair of the government's COVID-19 task force along with the 52-year-old health minister, Ong Ye Kung.
"The plan is for Lawrence to succeed me as PM, either before or after [if the PAP wins] the next general election. It is due in 2025 and will surely be a tough fight," PM Lee said in his social media post on Saturday.
In a press conference, PM Lee said he would hand over the power to Wong "once he is ready". PM Lee did not say when he named Mr Wong his deputy and who will be in charge of leading the PAP in the 2025 election.
More at https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/singapores-next-pm-wong-is-little-known-to-asean-jakarta-post-contributor
Open letter to LW: Be a man, don't be a stooge.
Lawrence Wong's 2nd wife kym?
A total of 15 out of 19 individuals canvassed, including a number of fourth generation (4G) leaders, chose Finance Minister Lawrence Wong to head their team, said former minister Khaw Boon Wan on Saturday (April 16).
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/15-out-19-leaders-consulted-chose-lawrence-wong-top-pick-succeed-pm-no-close-second-khaw-boon-wan-1874621
Lawrence Wong likely to ‘lead Singapore without clear direction’: SDP
SINGAPORE — The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) on Friday (15 April) congratulated Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on his selection as the next People’s Action Party (PAP) leader but said he is no different from his colleagues in terms of his outlook for Singapore.
“Decades of groupthink and conformity has made PAP leaders unable to see that Singapore is in dire need of reform of its economic, social and political systems,” SDP said in a media release.
SDP’s statement comes a day after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that Wong has been selected as the leader of the PAP fourth-generation (4G) team. With his new position, Wong is expected to succeed Lee as Singapore’s PM.
The eagerly awaited announcement by Lee comes a year after Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat stepped aside as the leader of the 4G team, prompting the ruling PAP to rejig its leadership succession planning. Lee said on Thursday that he will announce adjustments to cabinet appointments in due course.
If the PAP is unable to govern with “openness and democracy instead of its archaic practice of intimidation and manipulation”, Wong is likely to “continue to lead Singapore without clear direction”, SDP said.
Wong has not articulated a bold vision for Singapore and looks set to rely on past practices that will keep Singapore from achieving its full potential, the opposition party added.
“Different person, same story. Therein lies the danger for Singapore,” SDP said.
In the 2020 General Election, the SDP fielded a team to contest in the Marsiling-Yew Tee Group Representation Constituency and lost to the PAP team led by Wong, which won by a margin of 26.36 per cent.
In response to his appointment, Wong said on Thursday that he is “humbled and grateful” for the trust and confidence of his colleagues.
"It is my privilege to be called upon to lead this team. I will do my utmost to uphold this responsibility."
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/lawrence-wong-singapore-without-clear-direction-sdp-132832099.html
OYK just contracted Dengue fever.....
OUCH.
Wah Josexfiend Teo fast hand fast leg went to lick Lawless Wong's balls liao!
GXGX Liang Po Po!
LW is the lesser of evils compared to OYK and CCS, in a way it's a relief to know neither of them will be taking charge.
I can't imagine how OYK must be feeling right now.....