SM Lee will propose PM Wong be elected as Secretary-General of the PAP

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong will propose for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to replace him as the next Secretary-General of the People's Action Party (PAP).

This was announced during the PAP conference on Sunday (Nov. 24, 2024), where the party will elect its 38th Central Executive Committee (CEC).

Lawrence Wong to take over as new Sec-Gen

On the morning of Nov. 24, SM Lee delivered his last speech to the PAP party conference as Secretary-General.

He said that he intends to propose to the new CEC to elect Deputy Secretary-General Lawrence Wong to take over him as the next Secretary-General when they next meet.

As for SM Lee, he intends to continue on in the CEC in a supporting and advisory role.

SM Lee emphasised the importance of good transition planning, and said it was one of the most important responsibilities for a party leader.

"We are here to serve and to lead to the best of our abilities while we are in office, but we also have a duty to ensure that Singapore continues to have good leadership, not just during our term of office, but also beyond," he said.

SM Lee said PM Wong will have a "full agenda" when the time comes.

"He will have to build up the party, keep up activities on the ground and online, strengthen outreach to non-party groups, ramp up preparations for the next general election to be held by the end of next year," SM Lee said.

PM Wong has held the position of Deputy Secretary-General since 2022.

He took over from Lee as prime minister on May 15, 2024.

Electing the 38th CEC

This 38th CEC will be the team leading the party into the next general election.

Each CEC term lasts for two years and the election must be held no later than Nov. 23, 2025.

Individual positions such as the chairman and treasurer will be announced in the weeks ahead.

Top photo by Mothership.