PM Lee Says His Plan Is Not to Retire but to Support Successor

PM Lee announced last month that Lawrence Wong would succeed him as Prime Minister if the PAP wins the next General Elections. Whether this will happen, when it will happen and how it will happen is still uncertain.

Responding to a question at the 27th International Conference on the Future of Asia (26 May), PM Lee said he is not planning his retirement, but rather to “make myself be in a position to step down and hand over as prime minister to my successor”.

“After which, I see it as my responsibility to do my best to help him succeed and to help Singapore continue to succeed. And whatever he thinks I’m useful to him for, I shall be happy to fulfil,” he said.

It is not entirely clear what PM Lee’s intentions are after handing over to his successor based on what he said. If he is not expecting to retire, does he intend to stay in power and control? Would he continue to draw his salary?

Although what he is saying sounds like he would leave it to the new PM to decide how he can be at his service and the role he is to fulfil as ex-PM, we have seen from Singapore’s political past that this has not been quite the case. As a “PM-emeritus”, there is a chance that Lee Hsien Loong would follow in his father’s footsteps and maintain a tight grip over the party.

Lawrence Wong could merely be a PM in title or even a seatwarmer while Lee Hsien Loong plays the role of the master puppeteer.

By leaving his succession plans open and not confirming retirement, Lee Hsien Loong is giving himself space to manoeuvre and change the story whenever he wants.