Singapore's Guitar-playing New PM Prefers 'Incremental' Change
Editor
15 May 2024 16:38 WIB
OPEN BUT "REALISTIC"
Though Wong is widely seen as a status quo leader, colleagues say he expressed openness to new ideas in the past, in a political landscape dominated not only by a single party but where the Lee family loomed large for more than 50 years.
PAP founder Lee Kuan Yew led the country from 1959 until 1990 but stayed in cabinet till 2011, and his son, the outgoing prime minister, took office in 2004.
Irvin Seah, head of DBS Bank's Asia Insights Office, said Wong was always open to ideas and opinions in interactions during Seah's time as an economist, even on sensitive issues, and was not the type to surround himself with "yes men".
Criticisms of Wong are few, as he kept a fairly low profile while a minister, before the pandemic spotlight.
"He is realistic but not cynical as a political leader," said Gillian Koh, a researcher in governance and economy at the Institute of Policy Studies, who saw Wong as having a grasp of a wide range of policies, and as being decisive and even-tempered.
Koh pointed to his remarks after the last general election in 2020, when Wong said it was clear citizens wanted diverse voices and political opposition.
Wong added that the party would have to approach every general election as one in which it was seeking to form the government, rather than taking the mandate for granted.
CHALLENGES AHEAD
Wong's challenges as prime minister would be external, said Low, the former colleague, with the rivalry between the United States and China shaping as a particular test, and not only because Wong had relatively less exposure to foreign affairs.
While Wong and the rest of the party's leadership might prefer not to choose between Beijing and Washington, he said many in the rank-and-file might prefer a more pro-China stance.
"Managing this intra-party tension would be a major test of Lawrence as party leader."
Wong would also have to help citizens achieve their dreams in an advanced economy that has outpaced an older model of looking to other countries for development strategies, Low added.
"Singapore is now at the leading edge of development and it will have to chart its own future."
Little is known of Wong's personality beyond the fact that he is a music fan and a dog lover, prompting one analyst to call for more details of his leadership plans.
"So far, Wong has not laid out his political vision or why Singapore should support it," said Chong Ja Ian of the National University of Singapore, pointing to his guitar playing on social media.
"For me, I think Singapore needs a prime minister right now, not a cover band."
REUTERS
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