- Wong Beats Ong, Chan To Emerge As Prime Minister
- Only Candidate With No Scandal Record…
- FBI, Interpol Checks Show Zero…
By Abiola Olawale
On 15 May 2024, when Lawrence Wong was sworn in as the fourth prime minister of Singapore, not many people knew he had been thoroughly investigated both in Singapore and overseas for your long years and issued a clean bill of health.
The 51-year-old replaced Lee Hsien Loong, who is the eldest son of the country’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Loong was inaugurated in August 2004.
Wong was selected by his peers among the “4G”, or fourth generation of leaders in Singapore’s political jargon, to be a successor to 72-year-old Lee in April 2022.
The current Prime Minister assumed office following the withdrawal of Heng Swee Keat, 63, a former central bank chief and Minister for Education, who had earlier been designated as Lee’s successor in 2018.
Heng cited his age and personal acknowledgement of being unprepared for the role as the reasons for his decision to step aside. With the withdrawal of Heng, Wong, Ong Ye Kung and Chan Chun Sing emerged as leading candidates for the Prime Minister.
*How Character, Integrity, Solid Background Won Wong the PM Seat…
A 19-man committee which consists of former ministers and serving ministers under the platform of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) screened the three candidates.
15 of the 19 voted for Wong as their top choice. Wong was selected after he received the highest score in Character, Performance, Integrity, Quality and job KPI.
Unlike other candidates, Wong scored zero in the following;
1. Public Complaints
2. Police Traffic Summons
3. Public Summon
4. Racial hatred statements
5. Corruption and Bribery
6. Legal Court cases
7. Tax fraud
8. Abuse of Power
9. FBI, CIA, and Interpol checks.
His credentials also set him apart from his opponents. Wong was educated at Tanjong Katong Secondary School and Victoria Junior College. He obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. He also holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.
*Nigeria, Singapore: Any Comparison…?
The New Diplomat reports that throughout its history, Singapore has consistently maintained a well-organized process for leadership succession.
The designated successor is typically announced well in advance and provided with extensive grooming over time.
This has been made possible by the commendable track record of governance, the longstanding parliamentary supermajority of the PAP, and its substantial influence over vital institutions.
A political analyst who spoke with the New Diplomat on the condition of anonymity said that the development in Singapore should serve as a good example for Nigeria?to emulate.
The political analyst attributed Singapore’s progress to the fact that its leaders are selected based on merit, integrity, character and competence.
According to him, Singapore, a country, covering an area of 734.3 km² and housing a population of 5.454 million, has seen advancements due to the quality of its leadership over the years.
The political analyst said: “Why will Singapore not continue to make progress under Mr Wong’s watch, a man investigated at home and abroad for four years and found to be, like Caesar’s wife, beyond reproach in learning, character and competence?
“Juxtapose Singapore with Nigeria where inappropriate conduct is a badge of honour and a precondition for socio-political ascendancy.”
