S’pore PM promotes heir apparent before power shift

Singapore, April 23 

Singapore’s leader on Tuesday promoted his heir apparent to Deputy Prime Minister as the city-state’s founding family prepares for a sensitive transfer of power to a younger generation.

The cabinet reshuffle comes amid speculation that elections could be held as early as this year, as part of a carefully orchestrated political transition that has been a hallmark of the country since independence in 1965. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (67), said in a statement that Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat (57), would become the Deputy Prime Minister from May 1. 

He will retain his post of  finance minister and act as the premier in Lee’s absence. In November, Heng was named to a key post in the People’s Action Party — which has held power in Singapore for decades. — AFP