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Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the 3G leaders and himself have prepared a "strong and capable team" to take over from them: "The 4G team is in place."
PM Lee spoke in Parliament on Apr. 19, 2023, the second day of the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.
He explained how the current "troubled external environment" in the world will affect Singapore, and why Singapore must stay united in the face of these challenges.
PM Lee then emphasised the importance of strong political leadership and asked Singaporeans for their "fullest support" for the 4G leaders who will "take Singapore further forward".
Singapore, going forward
PM Lee said that while there is no "formula" to guarantee that Singapore's system will continue to work well in the long term, there are several things Singapore can do to "give ourselves the best chance of staying on the right track".
He explained that Singapore needs to ensure its economy stays sound, and institutions are in place.
Singaporeans not only need to have the "skills and instincts to work hard" but also "work together" and "earn a living for ourselves".
PM Lee added that Singapore's accumulated reserves must be "well managed, well-protected, earn credible returns", and give Singapore "a critical advantage in major crises".
He further emphasised that Singapore's leaders have to be "capable, dedicated and trustworthy stewards, worthy of their responsibility for Singapore, to this and future generations."
The 4G team is in place
PM Lee also said ensuring good leadership for the long term is an "unending and demanding challenge for successive generations".
"The 4G team is in place," said PM Lee, who assured that he and his "older colleagues" will make sure to prepare a "strong and capable" 4G team to take over from them.
"Then the new leaders can take Singapore further forward, and the country has the chance to produce and support new generations of leaders to come after them, who will be up to the job.
This, we have done."
Covid-19 results would have been very different if not for 4G team
PM Lee said Singaporeans had experienced firsthand, during the pandemic, the importance of strong political leadership.
"Our population rose to the occasion, the public service performed magnificently, but our response, and the results, would have been very different without political leaders who could set the direction, make the tough calls, and rally the people together."
He said that even though the Multi-Ministry Taskforce ministers were "in the hot seat", the whole 4G team played a key role.
"It was a formative experience for the 4G ministers. Handling the crisis, they got the measure of each other, and gained confidence in each other’s judgment and abilities."
Called on S'poreans to support DPM Lawrence Wong & Team
Lee said the 4G ministers are increasingly responsible for the safety and well-being of the country and have a strong agenda to fulfil, domestically and internationally, "but they cannot do it on their own."
He explained that they need the support of every Singaporean to see it through.
"Last year, the 4G ministers chose Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to be their leader.
I ask you to give Lawrence and the 4G ministers your fullest support.
I ask you to give them your fullest support, for now, as members of my team, but in due course when they take over the reins, as the next leadership for Singapore.
Help me make this leadership succession, this leadership renewal a success for Singapore, for you. Show your support for a government that works hard and works well for you. Elect leaders whom you can trust to lead us forward.
Give yourselves the best chance to keep our system working well for Singaporeans, for many years to come."
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Top image by Andrew Koay