Is Lee Hsien Loong Unable To Hand Over To Fumble Heng By Next GE?

• 

Unlike WP’s smooth and timely leadership succession, Lee Hsien Loong may not step down at the next GE despite hinting that GE2020 would be his last GE as PM.

This possibility was suggested by former Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar in his new book “Governing: A Singapore Perspective”.

As the country is suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic, this is not the right time to “change horses in midstream”, he advised.

Jayakumar is the second 2G minister after Goh Chok Tong to talk about the PAP’s worrying 4G succession plans.

Pinky had 16 long years to prepare for the next team to take over yet till now it is obvious there is little faith in 4G’s leader’s ability to helm the country.

On the other hand, the Worker’s Party’s leadership transition from Low Thia Kiang to Pritam Singh was well-planned and smooth, with 4G chairman Pritam Singh, now Leader of the Opposition, leading the party to win Seng Kang GRC.

So what’s going on with the PAP? Why is Pinky taking so long to hand over to Heng Swee Keat?

Why should Pinky consider another term as PM if he has indeed planned the succession well? The Covid-19 pandemic should be a chance for the new 4G team to prove themselves instead of an excuse to delay the poorly handled succession.