Lawrence Wong's new leadership aims for stronger Singapore-Malaysia engagement

KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore is set to witness its first transfer of power in 20 years as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong steps down, handing over leadership to his deputy Lawrence Wong, today.

Political analyst Dr Oh Ei Sun said the new PM, known for his guitar-playing and social media presence, is expected to enhance engagement with the public in both Singapore and Malaysia.

"The engagement with Malaysian leaders would continue to be cordial," said the principal adviser at the Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia when contacted by Bernama today.

Wong, a former civil servant who entered politics in 2011, will be the second person not from Singapore's founding family to lead the city-state in nearly six decades.

In a smooth leadership transition, Wong, 51, will succeed Lee, 72, who has served as Prime Minister since 2004. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 8 pm today at the Istana, the official residence and office of the President of Singapore.

Oh, a Senior Fellow with the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, pointed out that significant policy changes are not expected.

"I think the key point, as Lawrence himself stressed, is that there will be continuity and stability both within Singapore and in its external relations," he said.

On bilateral issues such as water supply agreements, maritime boundaries and airspace management with Malaysia, Oh said that negotiations will continue at technical and bureaucratic levels before leaders from both sides approve them.

As for Malaysia-Singapore relations within ASEAN, he said the two neighbouring countries will continue to play a leading role in Southeast Asia's positioning between the United States and China.

National Council of Professors fellow, Prof Dr Azmi Hassan, also agreed that Wong would continue Lee's legacy in strengthening Singapore-Malaysia bilateral relations and ASEAN as a whole.

The geostrategist said Wong's recent statement that Malaysia and Singapore are the pillars of Southeast Asia's prosperity indicates that he views Malaysia as a partner rather than a competitor in both economic and geopolitical terms.

Azmi, who is also a Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research (NASR), said like Lee, Wong takes a pragmatic approach, particularly in dealing with the power dynamics between China and the United States.

"Lee adopted a neutral stance, despite the perception that Singapore is closer to the US, while also maintaining good relations with China," he said, expressing his view that Wong will continue this approach.

However, he added that Wong must establish his own leadership style, independent of the Lee family's influence, before the general election, expected by November 2025.

"During (former Prime Minister) Goh Chok Tong's tenure, Lee Hsien Loong from the Lee Kuan Yew family was waiting (in the wings). But with Lawrence Wong, there is no Lee family member waiting. This means Wong can lead in his own way," said Azmi.

For over a decade, Malaysia and Singapore have been each other's second-largest global trading partner and the largest among ASEAN countries. In 2023, total trade between the two nations was valued at RM363.13 billion (US$79.6 billion).

Singapore and Malaysia will celebrate 60 years of bilateral relations next year.

-- BERNAMA

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