Setback for leadership succession as DPM Heng steps aside

He says given his age, he'll have too short a runway should he become PM; all eyes now on Cabinet reshuffle to be announced in a fortnight

Sharon See

Published Fri, Apr 9, 2021 · 05:50 AM

Singapore politics

Singapore

SINGAPORE'S leadership succession plans suffered a setback on Thursday as Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced that he is taking himself out of the running to become the Republic's next prime minister.

Citing age and health as reasons, Mr Heng, who turns 60 this year, told a press conference at the Istana that he would have "too short a runway" to lead the country beyond the Covid-19 crisis should he take on the top job.

"I will be close to my mid-60s when the crisis is over," said Mr Heng, who is also Finance Minister.

"When I also consider th…