Singapore’s Political Shuffle: The People’s Action Party Gets a New Face
While the distant future of the next general election (GE) still feels a bit like a Christmas gift waiting for the right moment, the People’s Action Party (PAP) has already started handing out the present. On Sunday, the party’s biennial conference at the Singapore Expo turned into a sort of “Who’s Who” makeover for the PAP’s top brass.
Old Guards Step Aside, New Kids Take the Spotlight
Five seasoned senior figures in their sixties—chairman Khaw Boon Wan, assistant secretaries‑general Teo Chee Hean and Tharman Shanmugaratnam, plus retired ministers Yaacob Ibrahim (vice‑chairman) and Lim Swee Say (treasurer)—chose not to run for the Central Executive Committee (CEC). That left room for the fourth‑generation (4G) leaders to dive into the party’s highest decision‑making body.
New CEC: 12 Mavericks on the Hitting Board
Out of around 2,000 attendees, a brand‑new 12‑member CEC was elected. Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, Trade & Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing, and Education Minister Ong Ye Kung form a trio that many now suspect could be in line to succeed Mr Lee as Singapore’s next Prime Minister. The mystery of who’s the “first among equals” will unfold as the political calendar turns pages.
Beyond the CEC: Who’s Who in the New Committee?
Once the committee is set, the newly elected CEC, along with two co‑opted members—Ng Eng Hen and Josephine Teo—will convene within a couple of weeks to handpick office‑holders. The spotlight will especially sharpen on who will be chosen as the First and Second Assistant Secretaries‑General, as these roles are often the springboards to the Deputy Prime Minister position.
Lee’s Incremental Handover: A Smooth Transfer Story
Prime Minister Lee, who’s set to turn 67 in February, has hinted that he intends to pass the baton before hitting 70. He’ll likely remain secretary‑general of the PAP for the next GE. While the chairman role is vital, the eyes are on the assistant secretaries‑general— because these two will almost certainly become Deputy Prime Ministers when the senior gentleman reshuffles the Cabinet.
Looking back, the 1990 handover to Goh Chok Tong and the 2004 transition to Mr Lee were both described by the former PM as “smooth and sure‑footed.” But, as the PAP’s future commanders get younger, the learning curve is steep, and the world’s challenges are harsher than they were back in the Day of the Flying Saucers.
“They’re Evolving, But We’ve Got Their Hearts,” Lee Reminds
“They’re already in the Cabinet for several years, and they’ve been juggling different portfolios. They’re learning to complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” says Lee. “They’re a team of able men and women, with a good mix of skills. They’re gaining experience, willing to serve, and most importantly, they’re in the right place heart‑wise. I can see them gelting as a team, and I’m confident they have what it takes to lead Singapore.”
The Next GE—A New Test for the PAP
Lee didn’t mince words: the forthcoming election would be “completely different” from the last one and a “new test” for the PAP. He pointed out that the party has only two years to prepare “just” before the next GE. But he left the door open that the voting could be brought forward as early as 2019, when Singapore will hit its bicentennial.
When the voter’s books finally close, the spotlight will be on the prime minister-in‑waiting and the rest of the 4G stars to prove they—and the party—deserve yet another strong mandate.
2019‑20 PAP Central Executive Committee
- Lee Hsien Loong
- K Shanmugam
- Chan Chun Sing
- Grace Fu
- Gan Kim Yong
- Heng Swee Keat
- Masagos Zulkifli
- Indranee Rajah
- Ng Chee Meng
- Ong Ye Kung
- Tan Chuan‑Jin
- Vivian Balakrishnan
- Ng Eng Hen (Co‑opted)
- Josephine Teo (Co‑opted)
