Who is Singapore's next prime minister Lawrence Wong?

Lawrence Wong, Singapore's deputy prime minister and finance minister, will officially take over power from incumbent prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong on May 15. 

Wong, 51, said, "I accept this responsibility with humility and a deep sense of duty. I pledge to give my all to this undertaking" in a video statement posted on Facebook.

Forward Singapore

Wong launched a national exercise in June 2022 called Forward Singapore, meant to chart the country's "social compact" between the government and the people on how to deal with issues ranging from sustainability to inequality and employment.

More than 200,000 Singaporeans were involved in the nationwide engagement exercise. The first installment of the Forward Singapore agenda was rolled out in Budget 2024, with moves to improve the SkillsFuture scheme for mid-career workers and offer more support for Institute of Technical Education graduates, the Straits Times reported.

Lee said on Monday that through the Forward Singapore exercise, Wong and the fourth generation have worked with many Singaporeans to refresh our social compact and develop the national agenda for a new generation.

Wong is also deputy chairman of sovereign wealth fund GIC and chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Southeast Asian country's central bank.

He co-chaired the Multi-Ministry Taskforce on COVID-19, which oversaw the government's response to the pandemic.

Political observers later said that it was Wong's steady leadership style during COVID-19, clear explanation of policies and grasp of details that put him in pole position to take over as the country's next leader, CNA reported.

A long-time civil servant

Wong was first elected a member of parliament in May 2011. He has held positions in the defense, communications and information, culture, community and youth, national development, and education ministries.

Before entering politics, Wong was a civil servant for 14 years. He was previously the chief executive of the Energy Market Authority and the principal private secretary to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

As a public servant, he was well-known for his strong policy work and grasp of economics. The Straits Times reported that colleagues in the public service have described him as someone who was always open to discussions and different viewpoints while being willing and firm enough to make a decision.

He was educated in the U.S. and holds a master's degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.

(With input from agencies)