Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat has been appointed as the PAP’s first assistant secretary-general, a move that will very likely see him appointed as Singapore’s next prime minister once current prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, steps down.
This comes as the PAP unveiled today the slate of office-bearers on its new Central Executive Committee.
Mr Heng will likely replace PM Lee following the next General Election, due by 2021 but expected to be called as early as 2019.
According to PM Lee, Mr Heng asked Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing (known affectionately in Singapore as “Kee Chiu”) to be his “number two”.
“Chun Sing has agreed and the younger team has endorsed Swee Keat’s decision.”
He said Mr Heng and Mr Chan have “complementary strengths and make a strong pairing”, having worked with them and watched them grow in their various responsibilities.
In a statement today, a group of 32 younger political office-holders from the PAP said they endorse and support Mr Heng and Mr Chan as their leaders.
The PAP also announced that four more members have been co-opted into the CEC – Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong, Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin and Mr Christopher de Souza.
