EMERITUS Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong is appealing to Singaporeans to be patient as the fourth-generation (4G) leadership of the People's Action Party decides on their next leader.

He also commended Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat for his "self-sacrifice" in stepping aside.

"It takes courage and selflessness to do this when one is only a step away from being Prime Minister," said Mr Goh, referring to last month's announcement by Mr Heng that he would withdraw from the role. "He has put the interests of Singapore first, like a good leader should."

Mr Goh added: "The process of orderly political transition continues." He advised the 4G to continue working closely as a team, to set the agenda for Singapore, and to show confidence and leadership as a group.

"Hone your political skills and prepare yourselves to take over the reins from the 3G. Deliberate carefully who amongst you should be the leader, and band together to support the leader once the decision is made."

In December 2017, ESM Goh had called the issue of 4G leadership an "urgent challenge" he would like to see settled in six to nine months. Mr Heng was publicly affirmed by the 4G as the leader-apparent in November 2018.

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Mr Goh's remarks on Friday took on a more measured tone, as he urged Singaporeans to "give the 4G team some time" to decide on their primus inter pares, namely, their first among equals.

"This is an important decision for Singapore, and for our next lap. The leader so chosen will have to lead his peers like the captain of a soccer team. They will have to work together to produce the best results for the people, just as a soccer team has to click to win matches for its fans."

Succession was not a problem internal to the party, he added - but a national issue. "If able people fail to step out into the political arena, or if we do not signal strong support for good leaders, Singapore's drop will be more precipitous than its rise."

He was speaking at the National Gallery, at the official launch of a new book, Standing Tall: The Goh Chok Tong Years, by his biographer Peh Shing Huei. The launch was officiated by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who also spoke at the event.

PM Lee said that, in the same way he inherited a strong and experienced team when he took over from Mr Goh as prime minister in 2004, he aims to hand over a strong team to his successor.

"The recent Cabinet reshuffle will give the 4G ministers the chance to work together with one another in new capacities as a team, to strengthen their mutual understanding and teamwork, and to prepare themselves to take over from me and my older colleagues."

Standing Tall is the second volume of Mr Goh's authorised biography, following Tall Order: The Goh Chok Tong Story, published in 2018.

The newly released, 366-page book focuses on Mr Goh's career as prime minister, which stretched from 1990 to 2004. This spans events such as the hijacking of SQ 117 by Pakistani terrorists in 1991, to Mr Goh's handover to PM Lee in 2004, after Singapore emerged from the Sars crisis.

Standing Tall is sold at all major bookstores, and retails at S$59.92 (hardcover) and S$29.96 (paperback), including GST.