Singapore’s likely future leader steps aside, citing age
AP, SINGAPORE
Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat (王瑞傑), the city-state’s designated future leader, has taken himself out of the running in a surprise decision, saying in a letter released on Thursday that a younger person with a “longer runway” should be the next prime minister.
The announcement sets back the city-state’s succession plans after Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (李顯龍) retires.
Lee, 69, had planned to retire at 70, but has indicated he could stay on until the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
Singapore has been led by the People’s Action Party since independence in 1965 and succession plans are usually made years in advance.
He said the main objective of the summit on April 22-23 was to encourage large economies that
collectively contributed 80% of greenhouse gases to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
He pointed out that many countries that stood out in the climate change agenda such as Sweden, Switzerland and Thailand were also not invited.
“The summit is a one-off event and does not affect negotiations and resolutions under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
“This needs to be seen separately from the recent issue of the importation of plastic waste into Malaysia from the United States, ” he said in a statement yesterday.
After Singapore Shakeup, Here Are Possible Successors to Lee
Bloomberg 4 hrs ago Philip J. Heijmans and Faris Mokhtar
(Bloomberg) With the successor to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong now out of the picture, the race to become the country’s next leader is suddenly wide open.
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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.
SINGAPORE, April 5 (Bloomberg): A lawyer for Singapore blogger Leong Sze Hian said he raised enough cash from fellow citizens to fully cover damages awarded to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a defamation trial.
Singapore’s High Court on March 24 ordered Leong to pay S$133,000 ($98,800) to Lee for posting a link to a Malaysian news site that alleged the city-state’s leader had helped launder 1Malaysia Development Berhad funds.
Since then more than 2,000 people donated to a crowdfunding campaign on social media to raise the full amount, Lim Tean, Leong’s attorney, posted to Facebook on Monday. A new Singaporean has emerged,” Lim said.
Story highlights
On March 24, Singaporeâs high court ordered Leong to pay S$133,000 (US$98,800) to Lee for posting a link to a Malaysian news website that alleged the city-stateâs leader had helped launder Malaysia Development Berhad funds
Singapore blogger Leong Sze Hianâs lawyer said he raised money from fellow citizens to cover damages awarded to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a defamation trial.
On March 24, Singaporeâs high court ordered Leong to pay S$133,000 (US$98,800) to Lee for posting a link to a Malaysian news website that alleged the city-stateâs leader had helped launder Malaysia Development Berhad funds.