President Tharman pays tribute to PM Lee's 'selfless service' in exchange of letters before leadership handover
"Your sense of duty and integrity, wisdom and compassion, have set a high standard, and will inspire those who follow," said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hands over his resignation letter to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Istana on May 13, 2024. (Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information)
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SINGAPORE: Outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's "sense of duty and integrity, wisdom and compassion" have set a high standard that will inspire those who follow, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam wrote on Monday (May 13).
In an exchange of letters to formalise Singapore's leadership transition, President Tharman acknowledged Mr Lee's intention to resign and invited Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to appoint the next government as Prime Minister.
Mr Lee and his government will resign on Wednesday, and Mr Wong will be sworn in as Prime Minister at the Istana on the same day.
In his letter to Mr Lee, President Tharman thanked him for four decades of "selfless service" in government, including 20 years as Prime Minister.
Mr Lee was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1984 and took office as Prime Minister in August 2004.
"You advanced a vibrant and more diversified economy. You opened new pathways of opportunity for Singaporeans, improved life for every segment of society and strengthened our social safety nets," wrote the President.
"You transformed our living environment, and set us on a path towards climate sustainability.
"And you have earned Singapore a unique standing in the world, with a voice of reason and a principled commitment to the international rule of law and the global good."
President Tharman noted that Mr Lee's tenure was marked by crises that "shook the world", particularly the 2008 global financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic.
"You gave our people the confidence to see through each crisis, while staying united. You steered a nation to emerge not just intact but stronger and more resilient," he wrote.
"Your approach to governance has always been to accept differences, find ways to bridge them, and strengthen the common ground. Today, Singapore stands as an open yet cohesive society, even as global trends have moved otherwise.
"You have also spent years mentoring the next generation of leaders, and ensured a smooth and orderly transition of political leadership."
Mr Lee will stay on in the Cabinet as Senior Minister, following in the footsteps of past Prime Ministers.
Nothing this, President Tharman wrote: "Your experience and advice will I am sure benefit the new leadership team as they chart the next phase of our history and make an even better Singapore."
