Singapore’s incoming PM, Lawrence Wong, says current leader Lee Hsien Loong to serve as senior minister

“For this moment, though, there should not be any major changes because our system works on the basis of continuity and progressive change,” the newspaper quoted him as telling reporters.

He added his agenda included tackling concerns over high living costs and jobs.

Wong, 51, was tipped in 2022 to be the Asian financial hub’s next leader, after being catapulted into the spotlight as co-head of the government’s Covid-19 task force.

He won praise for keeping the death rate low by imposing restrictions on movement, border curbs and contact-tracing.

The next general election must be held by November 2025.

On Monday, Lee’s office announced he will hand over power to Wong, who has been acting as his deputy.

Wong will be sworn in at 8pm on May 15 at the Istana, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said on Monday.

In a statement on social media, Lee described the leadership transition as a “significant moment”, adding that Wong and his team had “worked hard to gain the people’s trust, notably during the pandemic”.

This will be only the country’s third leadership transition since independence in 1965.