SINGAPORE: Singapore's finance minister, Lawrence Wong, will be promoted to deputy prime minister on June 13, according to an official statement released on Monday, taking a step closer to becoming the leader of the city-state.
Wong will be the fourth prime minister to lead the financial hub since its independence in 1965, though the timing of the handover from current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is as yet undecided.
Following are some key facts about Wong:
PANDEMIC PERFORMANCE
Wong, 49, was catapulted into the political spotlight as co-head of the government's COVID-19 task force.
He has mostly won praise for his handling of the virus. Under his leadership, Singapore imposed strict lockdowns, border curbs and contact-tracing, which kept deaths and infections to a minimum, especially early on in the pandemic. But after achieving one of the world's highest vaccination rates, many questioned the slow pace at which the city eased restrictions.
Singapore dropped nearly all pandemic restrictions in April this year.
Wong broke down in tears during a speech in parliament in 2020 as he thanked healthcare workers and others for their efforts during the pandemic, a rare show of emotion among the city-state's leaders.
CAREER CIVIL SERVANT
As a civil servant, Wong worked in several ministries and served as Prime Minister Lee's principal private secretary from 2005 to 2008.
He previously led the education and national development ministries, and became finance minister last year. He delivered his first budget this year, aimed at steering the country into a post-pandemic era and addressing wealth inequality.
Wong is a member of the board of GIC, the country's sovereign wealth fund, and is also the deputy chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
He studied economics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and also attended the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Wong will only be the country's second prime minister from outside the Lee family. The current prime minister's father Lee Kuan Yew was the country founding father and first leader.
CHALLENGES
Besides the immediate challenge of recovering from a pandemic and facing economic risks from the war in Ukraine, Wong looks set to inherit a number of long-term structural policy issues.
He will have to ensure Singapore retains its attractiveness as a business hub despite global tax reforms and pressures to reverse globalisation. Singapore will also have to navigate shifting geopolitics, including its relationship with China and the United States.
Singapore, an oil refining hub, is also trying to transition towards a greener economy and cope with a rapidly ageing population.
The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) secured 83 of 93 parliamentary seats in the 2020 election, but its share of the popular vote dropped near a record low, while the opposition won an unprecedented 10 seats.
"With the ruling party's lackluster performance... Wong and Lee will likely focus on initiatives and policies to secure better social outcomes for Singaporeans and help the PAP gain more public support," said Nydia Ngiow, managing director at Bower Group Asia.
"BOOKWORM, GUITAR PLAYER AND DOG LOVER"
The son of a salesman and a primary school teacher, Wong describes himself as a "bookworm, guitar player and dog lover" in his Instagram profile.
Members of the PAP who have worked with Wong told Reuters the politician "does not beat around the bush", though also described him as thoughtful and kind-hearted.
Reuters
Mon Jun 06 2022
![FACTBOX: Singapore's PM-in-waiting takes new step towards leadership FACTBOX: Singapore's PM-in-waiting takes new step towards leadership](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-06/41654516148_lawrencewong.jpg)
Singapore Minister Lawrence Wong seen in this picture at the Southeast Asian Games in 2015. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said Wong would succeed him as PM. Mandatory Credit: Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee - Reuters/File
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
Kerajaan cadang perkenal pembiayaan swasta
Kerajaan menyasarkan untuk memperkenalkan pembiayaan swasta alternatif bagi memastikan kemampanan kewangan program sektor air, sekali gus mengurangkan kebergantungan pada perbelanjaan kerajaan dan mengukuhkan daya tahan.
Saya tak fitnah Guan Eng, cuma jelaskan siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Presiden Bersatu Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur hari ini bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary
KPT alu-alukan dapatan, cadangan PAC - Zambry
Ini termasuklah cadangan pelaksanaan Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024 kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT).
![PM Singapura Lawrence Wong sampai ucapan Perhimpunan Hari Kebangsaan pertama 18 Ogos PM Singapura Lawrence Wong sampai ucapan Perhimpunan Hari Kebangsaan pertama 18 Ogos](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720587460_tbLawrenceWong.jpg)
PM Singapura Lawrence Wong sampai ucapan Perhimpunan Hari Kebangsaan pertama 18 Ogos
Perdana Menteri Singapura, Lawrence Wong akan menyampaikan ucapan Perhimpunan Hari Kebangsaan pertamanya pada 18 Ogos.
![Singapura dijangka kekal stabil meskipun tidak lagi dipimpin keluarga Lee - Penganalisis Singapura dijangka kekal stabil meskipun tidak lagi dipimpin keluarga Lee - Penganalisis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81715807421_LawrenceWong.jpg)
Singapura dijangka kekal stabil meskipun tidak lagi dipimpin keluarga Lee - Penganalisis
Seperkara yang perlu kita beri kredit kepada kepimpinan di Singapura ialah peralihan pemimpin yang sistematik.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Lawrence Wong sah PM Singapura baharu, Lee Hsien Loong kini Menteri Kanan Lawrence Wong sah PM Singapura baharu, Lee Hsien Loong kini Menteri Kanan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71715776284_tbLawrenceWong.jpg)
Lawrence Wong sah PM Singapura baharu, Lee Hsien Loong kini Menteri Kanan
Timbalan Setiausaha Agung Parti Tindakan Rakyat (PAP) Singapura, Lawrence Wong, 51, secara rasminya mengangkat sumpah sebagai Perdana Menteri Republik itu yang baharu, pada Rabu.
![Jemaah Menteri Malaysia rakam ucapan tahniah kepada Lawrence Wong Jemaah Menteri Malaysia rakam ucapan tahniah kepada Lawrence Wong](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41715762195_TBFahmiFadzilsida.jpg)
Jemaah Menteri Malaysia rakam ucapan tahniah kepada Lawrence Wong
Ucapan itu antara intipati mesyuarat Kabinet dipengerusikan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, di Putrajaya pada Rabu.
![Hubungan dengan Malaysia baik tetapi masih ada isu untuk diselesaikan pengganti, kata PM Lee Hubungan dengan Malaysia baik tetapi masih ada isu untuk diselesaikan pengganti, kata PM Lee](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/61690968147_TBSINGAPOREVACCINE.jpg)
Hubungan dengan Malaysia baik tetapi masih ada isu untuk diselesaikan pengganti, kata PM Lee
Perdana Menteri Singapura Lee Hsien Loong, berkata hubungan republik itu dengan Malaysia "umumnya baik" tetapi masih ada beberapa isu yang perlu diselesaikan penggantinya.
![Agong zahir ucapan terima kasih kepada PM Lee kerana jadi rakan karib Malaysia Agong zahir ucapan terima kasih kepada PM Lee kerana jadi rakan karib Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81715009694_Agong.jpg)
Agong zahir ucapan terima kasih kepada PM Lee kerana jadi rakan karib Malaysia
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim hari ini menzahirkan ucapan terima kasih kepada Perdana Menteri Singapura Lee Hsien Loong, yang bakal berundur, kerana menjadi rakan karib Johor dan Malaysia.
![Agong, Raja Permaisuri berangkat ke Singapura pada 6, 7 Mei Agong, Raja Permaisuri berangkat ke Singapura pada 6, 7 Mei](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81714900694_TBSULTANIBRAHIM.jpg)
Agong, Raja Permaisuri berangkat ke Singapura pada 6, 7 Mei
Keberangkatan Seri Paduka Baginda berdua ke negara berkenaan adalah atas jemputan Presiden Singapura, Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
![PM Lee akan hadir Pemukiman Pemimpin Singapura-Indonesia di Bogor PM Lee akan hadir Pemukiman Pemimpin Singapura-Indonesia di Bogor](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81714173616_JokoWidodoleehsien.jpg)
PM Lee akan hadir Pemukiman Pemimpin Singapura-Indonesia di Bogor
Ini merupakan permukiman ketujuh dihadiri Lee dan Pemukiman Pemimpin terakhir dengan Joko Widodo yang lebih dikenali sebagai Jokowi.
![Lee Hsien Loong akan dilantik Menteri Kanan - Lawrence Wong Lee Hsien Loong akan dilantik Menteri Kanan - Lawrence Wong](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81713172917_TBLawrenceWong.jpg)
Lee Hsien Loong akan dilantik Menteri Kanan - Lawrence Wong
Lee Hsien Loong akan kekal dalam kabinet kerajaan Singapura sebagai Menteri Kanan selepas meletak jawatan sebagai Perdana Menteri.