Since founding father Lee Kuan Yew relinquished power some three decades ago, Singaporeâs politics have been so well choreographed and predictable that theyâre often joked about as dull. Analysts have said they expect Singapore to remain politically stable amid the transition.
âThe prime minister does not want to demonstrate disruptiveness in the political power structure,â said Bilveer Singh, associate professor at the National University of Singaporeâs department of political science. With the pandemic and economic challenges, âI donât think he wants to exacerbate the situation, so within limits this is more continuity than change.â
Though no clear successor to Lee was identified Friday, the finance minister selection could be a signal of who among the partyâs âfourth-generationâ leaders ultimately might be positioned for the top job. Heng was named finance chief in 2015 and added the deputy prime minister role to his portfolio in 2019. Lee himself was also finance minister previously, though his predecessor Goh Chok Tong didnât hold that role.