The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), in failing to properly plan the path of succession to the Prime Minister post, risks confidence in Singapore in the midst of a global pandemic and financial uncertainties, said Red Dot United on Friday (9 Apr).
RDU’s statement came in the wake of Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat’s announcement on Thursday (8 Apr) that he will not be running for the Prime Minister position, and will also be relinquishing his role as the Finance Minister due to his age and fear that he cannot fulfil the exceptional demands of the job.
In a letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Mr Heng, who turns 60 this year, said that he would have “too short of a runway” to become the next Prime Minister as he would be in his mid-60s when the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
“But when I also consider the ages at which our first three prime ministers took on the job, I would have too short a runway should I become the next prime minister then.
“We need a leader who will not only rebuild Singapore post-COVID-19, but also lead the next phase of our nation-building effort,” he wrote.
In his reply to Mr Heng, PM Lee who is currently 69, said he understood and respected Mr Heng’s decision, and was glad that he has agreed to stay in the Cabinet.
Separately, the next generation of leaders — the fourth-generation (4G) leadership — said in a statement that they would “need more time to select another leader from among us” given their priority to handle the country’s pressing immediate challenges and ensure that Singapore emerges stronger from the COVID-19 crisis.
“We have therefore requested PM Lee Hsien Loong to stay on as Prime Minister until such time when a new successor is chosen by the team and is ready to take over. We are grateful that PM has agreed to our request,” it noted.
Noting that former PM Goh Chok Tong had said prior to the 2011 General Election that “we must produce Singapore’s fourth Prime Minister and a core team of younger Ministers who will take over from the present team”, RDU said: “After more than 10 years, we are none the wiser as to who Singapore’s 4th Prime Minister might be.”
RDU criticised the lack of a “Plan B”, as seen in the current turn of events.
“We are in a strange predicament. At 60, Mr Heng Swee Keat is too old to lead, and yet at 69, Mr Lee Hsien Loong is not too old to continue to be our Prime Minister.
“For us citizens, it is a lesson as to why we cannot put all our eggs in one basket, and why a strong opposition is not only good but necessary for Singapore,” said RDU.
