Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will remain in the Cabinet as Senior Minister after stepping down as leader of the government, according to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on 16 April. (PHOTO: Reuters and FB/LawrenceWong)

SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will remain in the Cabinet as Senior Minister after stepping down as leader of the Singapore government on 15 May. However, there will not be many changes to the rest of the Cabinet lineup for now, said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (16 April).

Local media outlet CNA reported that DPM Wong, who is poised to become Singapore's next Prime Minister,said that the details of any Cabinet reshuffle will be announced a few days before the swearing-in ceremony on 15 May.

"Our system works on the basis of continuity and progressive change. It has never been the case that when there is a leadership transition, all the older ministers step down at the same time," the 51-year-old said.

"Instead, they continue to contribute in different ways, while making room for the younger ones to step up. So I will adopt the same approach when I take over."

Wong added that he is glad that PM Lee had agreed to stay on in the Cabinet as Senior Minister. Former prime ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong had also assumed similar roles after stepping down.