Change at the apex of Singapore's political system

In a significant and unexpected change at the top of Singapore’s political pyramid, the city-state’s founding prime minister, since termed ‘minister mentor’, Lee Kuan Yew, along with senior minister Goh Chok Tong, also a former premier, have stepped down from the country’s cabinet.

“After a watershed general election, we have decided to leave the cabinet and have a completely younger team of ministers to connect to and engage with this young generation in shaping the future of our Singapore,” Lee and Goh said in a joint statement over the weekend. Both would, however, remain Members of Parliament.

Their resignations come a week after a landmark general election resulted in Singapore’s Opposition gaining a record number of seats in the country’s parliament, while the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) posted its worst ever electoral performance.

The PAP’s share of the total vote in the latest polls stood at 60 per cent, compared to 67 per cent in 2006 and 75 per cent in 2001. In contrast, the Workers’ Party captured six of the 87 seats, the highest held by the Opposition since Singapore’s independence in 1965.

“We have studied the new political situation and thought how it can affect the future. We have made our contributions to the development of Singapore. The time has come for a younger generation to carry Singapore forward, in a more difficult and complex situation,” the joint statement said.

Lee, widely-recognised as the man who transformed a small, resource-deficient island into one of Asia’s most modern nations, was Singapore’s prime minister from 1959 till 1990. He was succeeded by Goh Chok Tong, who served until 2004. Lee’s son, Lee Hsien Loong, is the incumbent prime minister.

The two leaders also said the current “Prime Minister and his team of younger leaders should have a fresh clean slate” as the government, as well as the PAP, begin the process of addressing issues flagged by the electorate during the polls, including concerns over rising cost of living and the growing number of immigrants.

“The younger generation, besides having a non-corrupt and meritocratic government and a high standard of living, wants to be more engaged in the decisions which affect them,” the statement added.