PAP ministers, MPs pay tribute to PM Lee’s decades-long leadership

TRIBUTES to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong poured in soon after the news of his stepping down in May, with more than a dozen People’s Action Party (PAP) Members of Parliament taking to social media to praise his leadership and character.

“Over the past 20 years, PM has led Singapore with quiet wisdom and a steady hand,” said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat in a Facebook post.

Aside from steering the nation through crises such as the global financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic, PM Lee made investments and built capabilities to position Singapore well for the future, said Heng.

“Today, Singapore stands out as a beacon of openness and collaboration amid a more reticent global environment,” he said. “At a time when societies are growing more fragmented, Singaporeans continue to be optimistic about the future, and come together to enlarge our common space and build a cohesive society.”

Education Minister Chan Chun Sing noted that leadership succession is “the most difficult yet important part” of a leader’s journey, adding that the government has been “fortunate to have PM Lee lead and guide us for many years”.

“We are sure that PM will continue to do so in his ways, even in the next lap of our journey,” said Chan.

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The Prime Minister’s Office announced on Monday (Apr 15) that PM Lee will relinquish his office on May 15, with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to be sworn in as Singapore’s next prime minister the same day.

When Wong takes over, it will mark the end of nearly two decades that PM Lee has spent as Singapore’s third prime minister.

On social media, some ministers highlighted PM Lee’s contributions to their respective ministries, while others shared personal anecdotes about him.

In transport, PM Lee placed an emphasis on improving Singapore’s position as an air and sea hub, which has contributed to the nation’s economic competitiveness as well as workers’ livelihoods, said Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.

In 2023, Singapore’s container throughput reached a new high of 39 million twenty-foot equivalent units, and its annual vessel arrival tonnage crossed three billion gross tonnes.

Changi Airport serves about 59 million passengers today, connecting Singapore to more than 420 cities through close to 120 airlines. This is a marked increase from 20 years ago, when it served 30 million passengers and connected to 170 cities, said Chee.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu noted that PM Lee has been a “strong supporter and champion” of policies such as the carbon tax and the agri-food “30 by 30” vision of locally producing 30 per cent of Singapore’s nutritional needs by 2030.

“He also supported our water infrastructure master plan, net-zero 2050 goal, and the Singapore Green Plan by giving us the required resources,” she added.

As for social policies, National Development Minister Desmond Lee noted that PM Lee launched the ComCare Fund in 2005, a year into his tenure, to provide a social safety net for low-income Singaporeans.

Since then, the government has also rolled out Workfare and established the Progressive Wage Model to support lower-income workers, he added.

Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo shared personal stories about PM Lee. For instance, when she was working to expand the Silver Support policy for seniors, the prime minister had asked for a set of Venn diagrams to better understand the policy’s impact.

“This was a rather curious request, almost unheard of,” wrote Teo. “But it turned out to be a most satisfying exercise for my entire team.”

“We ended up lining the walls of the Cabinet room with multiple Venn diagrams, and were grateful to PM because the visual impact made our case even more persuasive,” she added.

As an MP for Ang Mo Kio, PM Lee is loved by residents, who have sent him handwritten letters and ask after him, noted fellow MP for the constituency Nadia Samdin.

“On the ground, I have had the privilege to learn from your leadership in action,” she wrote. “How personable you have been in your 40 years dedicated to residents. In so many parts of Ang Mo Kio, your presence is felt.”

PM Lee entered politics as an MP for the Teck Ghee Single Member Constituency, and remained MP for that division after it was merged into Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency in 1991.

“I remember the first time I visited our markets with you, and how many greeted you like an old respected friend,” wrote Nadia, who became an MP in the 2020 General Election.