5. Leadership succession is back on track
Mr Lee spoke briefly about leadership renewal, recalling his original plan to hand over and step down as Prime Minister by 2022 – before his 70th birthday.
While the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this, he said his succession plans are now back on track. Mr Lee is 71 years old this year.
“Recently, several controversial issues have drawn Singaporeans’ attention. I have spoken about them in parliament and in my National Day Message. We dealt with each of them thoroughly and transparently,” Mr Lee noted.
“Let me assure you – these incidents will not delay my timetable for renewal. We are on track.”
These issues included an extramarital affair between former Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and former Tampines GRC MP Cheng Li Hui, which emerged in the public eye about a month ago. The pair have resigned from parliament and the People’s Action Party.
Shortly before that, Transport Minister S Iswaran was arrested in relation to a corruption probe.
Mr Lee said that more and more, his task is to support the 4G (fourth-generation) team led by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and their agenda.
He asked Singaporeans to give Mr Wong and his team their fullest support now and after they take over.
“Our nation’s future depends on them, working as one with you to take Singapore forward. I have every confidence in Lawrence Wong and his team,” Mr Lee added.