Key moments of Singapore PM Lawrence Wong's swearing-in ceremony
Singapore’s new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong was sworn in today, May 15, at the Istana. His appointment is particularly significant, as it marks the first time in two decades that the city-state has a new PM. Read on to find out more about Singapore PM Lawrence Wong’s swearing-in ceremony.
Mr Wong, who was formerly Deputy Prime Minister, takes over the reins from Mr Lee Hsien Loong, who remains part of the Cabinet as Senior Minister. PM Wong will concurrently fulfil his existing role as Minister of Finance.
Singapore has had only three Prime Ministers throughout its 60-year history: Mr Lee Hsien Loong (from 2004-2024), Mr Goh Chok Tong (from 1990-2004), and Mr Lee Kuan Yew (from 1959-1990).
Mr Lawrence Wong officially sworn in as Prime Minister of Singapore
“I am deeply honoured to be sworn in as the Prime Minister of Singapore…I seek your support and your trust. My team and I will do our utmost to serve you and our country,” said Mr Lawrence Wong in his maiden address as Singapore PM, where he also spoke some words in Malay and Mandarin.
“Today marks a significant milestone — a passing of the baton, not just between leadership teams, but also across generations. I am the first Prime Minister of Singapore to be born after independence,” he said. “My generation’s story is the story of independent Singapore. Our lives are testimony to the values that forged our nation: Incorruptibility, meritocracy, multiracialism, justice and equality.”
PM Wong, 51, acknowledged his predecessors’ efforts in leading Singapore. “As we write the next chapters, we are not starting from scratch. We stand on the shoulders of giants,” he said, before expressing gratitude to Mr Lee Hsien Loong for his commitment to serving the country.
“Over a lifetime of public service, stretching over half a century, [Mr Lee] devoted every measure of his being to the service of our country and people. Under his stewardship, Singapore navigated external as well as domestic changes, and overcame multiple crises. Mr Lee spoke often of the need to keep Singapore exceptional. He was exceptional himself — in his devotion, his selflessness, and his dedication to serve.”
In his speech, PM Wong reflected on the nation’s journey and the challenges it has faced along the way — including the “baptism of fire” that was Covid-19 — and outlined his vision to “uplift all Singaporeans” and “build a Singapore where everyone succeeds in being the best possible versions of themselves.”
“We can be a people, who are more inclusive, gracious and big-hearted. We can be a society where every Singaporean matters. And a Singapore that matters to every Singaporean.”
He concluded his speech by emphasising his commitment to his new role, and promising to do his best in leading the nation. “This is my promise to all Singaporeans: I will serve you with all my heart. I will never settle for the status quo. I will always seek better ways to make tomorrow better than today.”
“My mission is clear — to continue defying the odds and to sustain this miracle called Singapore. So that we can reach even greater heights. So that we can be a beacon of hope and unity for ourselves and our children.”
Other highlights of Singapore PM Lawrence Wong’s swearing-in ceremony
Singapore president Tharman Shanmugaratnam spoke at the start of the ceremony, thanking Mr Lee for “a life dedicated to the service of our country, and his exceptional leadership as Prime Minister over the last 20 years.”
He expressed support for PM Wong in his new appointment and assured Singaporeans they are in good hands. “I have full confidence in Mr Lawrence Wong’s ability to lead Singapore as we venture into uncharted waters internationally, and to rally Singaporeans from all walks of life to create the next chapter of the Singapore story together. He will be his own person, with his own approach to building consensus and finding the best way forward for the country. And he will no doubt do so to his own rhythm and beat.”
After Mr Tharman finished his speech, PM Wong took his oath of office. Senior Ministers Teo Chee Hean and Lee Hsien Loong, and Deputy Prime Ministers Heng Swee Keat and Gan Kim Yong later went onstage to do the same. The event also saw the other Cabinet ministers swearing into their roles.
The ceremony concluded with a live performance of The Road Ahead by homegrown musicians Linying, Sezairi Sezali, Shye-Anne Brown and Shabir Tabare Alam. The tune was the National Day theme song in 2021 and was particularly poignant, as it was composed during the pandemic and alludes to those difficult times, with lyrics like “it’s always darkest just before the dawn”.
A new Cabinet lineup
On May 13, PM Wong had unveiled a Cabinet reshuffle that saw several prominent role changes. Mr Gan Kim Yong was promoted to Deputy Prime Minister and will retain his existing position as Minister for Trade and Industry. He will also be Acting Prime Minister in PM Wong’s absence, and takes up the additional responsibility as chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Mr Gan had previously worked closely with PM Wong as his co-chair of the Covid-19 multi-ministerial task force. During his announcement of the refreshed Cabinet, PM Wong described Mr Gan as being a “pillar of strength” when they were navigating the pandemic situation together. In his new position, Mr Gan will continue to work with PM Wong alongside current Deputy Prime Minister Mr Heng Swee Keat.
Mr Lee Hsien Loong, upon stepping down as Prime Minister, will remain in the Cabinet as Senior Minister and continue helming the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council as chairman.
Meanwhile, Minister of State Desmond Tan was promoted to Senior Minister of State; and Minister of State Low Yen Ling was appointed Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, along with the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Mr Murali Pillai, who’s the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bukit Batok, was made Minister of State for the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Law; and Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Health, was appointed Minister of State for the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Communications and Information. Shawn Huang, an MP for Jurong GRC, was chosen as Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the finance and education ministries.
A full list of all the Cabinet changes can be found here.
If you missed the full swearing-in ceremony of Singapore PM Lawrence Wong, you can watch it below.
(Main and featured image: Edgar Su/ POOL/ AFP)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
– Who is the new Prime Minister of Singapore?
Mr Lawrence Wong is the new Prime Minister of Singapore.
– When did Lawrence Wong become Deputy Prime Minister?
Mr Wong was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in June 2022, making him a frontrunner as a potential successor to former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. On May 15, 2024, he was officially sworn in as Singapore’s Prime Minister.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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