SINGAPORE: Ruling party heavyweight Teo Chee Hean has extolled the Senior Minister role that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is set to take on next week, after he steps down as Singapore premier. His comments come amid a spate of Facebook posts in which the Prime Minister reminded Singaporeans, more than once, that he is not retiring and will serve as an MP and Cabinet member.

Asserting that the incoming Senior Minister role will help Mr Lee contribute towards ensuring a smooth and stable change of Singapore’s political leadership, Mr Teo said that the position is similar to that of an advisor and should be cherished and valued.

Singapore will usher in its third transfer of power next week. Commenting on the upcoming handover, Mr Teo said that complex national affairs cannot be handled by one person, and the Senior Minister’s responsibility is to assist the Prime Minister in solving problems.

Mr Teo, himself, has served as Senior Minister over the past few years. It is unclear whether he will stay on in that role alongside Mr Lee as incoming PM Lawrence Wong takes over, although Mr Wong has said that he does not intend to shake up the Cabinet until after the next election.

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