After consulting with the ministers of the cabinet, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong asked former minister Khaw Boon Wan, a former PAP chairman, to begin the process that involved the Ministers, as well as Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, to decide who should be the next leader of the fourth-generation (4G) of the People Action’s Party (PAP).
Although 61-year-old Heng Swee Kiat has been the next prime candidate, he announced last year that he was taking himself off the list.
He also suggested that the next leader should be younger than 60 years old.
Which leaves three names in the running, some of whom you may be intimately familiar with considering the frequency of their names popping up.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, and Education Minister Chan Chun Sing.
Yesterday (14 April), the Prime Minister announced that Finance Minister Lawrence Wong has been endorsed as the new leader of the 4G team.
Without further ado, here are nine facts about the man who is likely to become the next Prime Minister of Singapore:
Family History
Mr Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai grew up in what he described as an “ordinary family” in the Marine Parade Housing Board estate.
His father was a sales executive, born in China’s Hainan Island before he moved to Ipoh, Malaysia, as a young boy. After completing his secondary school education, his father came to Singapore to work in sales for Sime Darby.
He passed away at the age of 86 in August last year.
Mr Wong’s mother, now 82 years old, grew up in a time where there were gender biases and expectations.
She helped to wash her neighbours’ clothes and looked after their children, whilst pestering her reluctant parents to allow her to pursue an education, a gamble that paid off since she eventually became a teacher and taught for 40 years.
Besides his parents, Mr Wong also has an older brother who works as an aerospace engineer at DSO Laboratories.
Where Mr Wong’s brother looked skywards and up at the twinkling stars, Mr Wong was more grounded as he looked around him and delved into the realm of politics.
Personal Life
Unlike other politicians, Mr Wong kept his personal life very private, although that might no longer be possible if he’s ever to become the Prime Minister.
He was married at 28 but divorced “amicably” after three years due to “incompatibility”, and had no child from the marriage.
He has since remarried, but it’s unknown when he remarried, and whether he has any children now.
There, I’ve told you: he really did manage to keep his life extremely private.
Education History
Indoctrination seems to start early—this is meant in jest—but Mr Wong did attend a PAP Community Foundation (PCF) for his kindergarten, before he moved on to Haig Boys’ Primary where his mother taught.
If there’s something about having your parent in the school 24/7, it’s that you never want to be any teacher’s bad graces, because gossip spreads quick.
From Mr Wong’s recollection, he feels that his mother being the disciplinarian figure both at school and home had shaped him strong, instilling a “strong sense of responsibility” in him to always finish what he started, and ensuring that it was done well.
Mr Wong confesses that he was more of a bookworm than a sporty individual, since he preferred to borrow science fiction novels and guitar tomes from the library.
Afterwards, he went to Tanjong Katong Secondary Technical School and Victoria Junior College.
When he was asked why he didn’t go to more prestigious, cough elitist cough, schools, he said that was where all his friends were, and he liked having a school closer to home.
His university education was nothing short of exemplary though; Mr Wong managed to snag a government scholarship to study in the United States.
He acquired a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Michigan-Ann Arbour, and graduated from Harvard Kennedy with a Master’s in Public Administration as well.
Political Career
Shortly after his return to Singapore, Mr Wong was posted to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, where he did economic modelling.
He eventually entered the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and acted as the Assistant Director (Fiscal Policy) for two years, then promoted to become the Deputy Director for Budget and Head of Economic Programmes.
In 2004, he was shifted to the Ministry of Health (MOH) as the Director of Healthcare Finance, where he implemented reforms to Medishield to better provide Singaporeans with more comprehensive subsidies and protection against large hospital bills.
In 2005, he became the Principal Private Secretary (PPS) to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
After three years, he was appointed Chief Executive of the Energy Market Authority.
In 2015, he made his official debut as a PAP politician as he ran for the 2011 General Election, winning a seat in the Parliament for the West Coast GRC.
During the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic, he was chosen to be part of the Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) as the co-Chairman.
This year, he represented the MOF and delivered the Budget 2022 Speech in front of the Parliament.
Love for Music
It seems like politicians tend to have a stint in music or some other creative endeavour, because Mr Wong has played the guitar ever since he was eight.
His favourites are rock, blues and soul, and jazz singers like Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald.
In fact, he has even given a live performance at a garden party at the Istana in 2015.
Love for Dogs
Besides his interest in music, his other great love is dogs.
His 16-year-old golden retriever, named Summer, died in July 2020.
If there’s anything that’s more telling about his love for dogs, it would be a Facebook post that he made in 2011, writing, “There’s something wonderful about the way dogs behave – they eat with gusto, play with exuberance, and love extravagantly. In many ways, they help to restore our own sense of wonder, inspire us to look at things from new perspectives, and enable us to better appreciate the many simple blessings of life.”
Difficulties of Being Thrust into the COVID-19 Spotlight
Although Mr Wong has a stunning educational history and resume as a civil servant for over 14 years before he eventually became a politician and minister, he doesn’t deny that he was surprised when Health Minister Gan Kim Yong selected him as his co-chairman for the MTF.
Since PM Lee was away from Singapore during the creation of the MTF, it was Deputy Minister Heng Swee Keat who informed him about his appointment.
His response had been “Okay, if you think I can help, I’ll be happy to support and I will do my best.
In the book In This Together: Singapore’s COVID-19 Story that was written by The Straits Times, he admitted that he wasn’t seen as one of the obvious choices for the MTF, whether it is in view of his portfolio or public opinion.
However, the thrust into the spotlight has undeniably given him a wealth of fame and gave him acknowledgement from the public with his calm and clear explanation of the policies during the press conference.
His eye for detail and stabilising presence did not go unmissed as well, in addition to his ethos for hard work and concern for the public’s health and safety, all of which probably carved out a path for him to become one of the running candidates for the next Prime Minister.
He has fronted many key announcements as the co-chair of the MTF, and coordinated well with different government agencies to combat the pandemic.
Wong’s Response to Becoming the Leader of the 4G Team
After PM Lee released the statement that inducted Finance Minister Lawrence Wong as the new leader of the 4G, Mr Wong took to Facebook to express his thoughts on his political party’s decision to place him at the helm.
He wrote, “I am humbled and grateful for the trust and confidence of my colleagues, who have chosen me to lead them. I am also deeply grateful for the support of my fellow MPs.”
Mr Wong then reminisces about Singapore’s enduring model of political leadership which has always been centred on the team, not a single person and inheritance, believing that it’s important that every person contributes their best to Singapore.
He remains humble in his statement, giving his colleagues in the 4G leadership equal credit for how the stressful pandemic situation had been handled.
He emphasises that the past two years, despite its trials and tribulations, have been crucial in forging the Ministries’ cohesiveness and strengthening their resolve to steer Singapore safely through the crisis and further beyond.
He adds, “It is my privilege to be called upon to lead this team. I will do my utmost to uphold this responsibility. But as we have been reminded many times, the right to lead cannot be inherited. Together with the rest of the 4G team, I will continue to serve Singaporeans wholeheartedly, and strive to earn the trust and support of every one of our fellow citizens.”
The Relatability and Empathy of Mr Wong
According to Associate Professor Eugene Tan Ern Ser, he believes that one of the things that set Mr Wong apart from his peers was his ability to explain complicated policies in an accessible manner to an average Singaporean.
He doesn’t shy away from the fact that he’s been labelled as a policy wonk—someone who takes an enthusiastic or excessive interest in the minor details of political policy—and openly admits that he enjoys explaining policies.
…which is something I never thought I’d hear someone say, given the dryness of the subject at times.
His ability to emote and his staunchness in implementing tough measures during the pandemic, willing to speak out without fear or favour, willing to confront the questions that are tossed his way, frames him as a humble and down-to-earth figure that citizens can connect with.
When he was being memed online, he took it in his stride, which earns him a brownie point from the younger generations.
Another key characteristic of Mr Wong’s public person that is “well-received” by Singaporeans and politicians alike is how he’s able to touch base with youths and their social issues, such as race and religion, without coming off as condescending or disapproving.
Mr Wong’s appeal is in his rationality, persuasiveness, and articulation of ideas in the simplest terms.
His burgeoning portfolio also places him in the perfect position to take up the mantle of Prime Minister.
Dr Woo Jun Jie, a senior researcher in the Institute of Policy Study notes that Mr Wong’s experience in the MOF and Energy Market Authority is especially significant as Singapore is now confronted with challenges posed by climate and energy shocks.
His time working as the co-chair in MTF has only bolstered his strategic leadership, which is important as a Prime Minister, who needs to coordinate efforts of different ministers and agencies to implement new policies, and gain the trust and support of his colleagues.
All in all, it seems there’s quite a lot of exciting prospects to look forward to under his leadership, as the reign of the Lees come to an end.
Featured Image: Facebook (Lawrence Wong)