"We need a leader who will not only rebuild Singapore post-COVID-19, but also lead the next phase of our nation-building effort," Heng said. The central commerce district skyline from the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. By. The 59-year old politician will step down Friday. Heng Swee Keat, who was expected to replace Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, is also Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policy. The Singapore deputy prime minister announced Thursday that he would step aside so that a “younger leader who will have a longer runway can take power”. Lauryn Ishak | Bloomberg | Getty Images Singapore’s deputy prime minister announced on Thursday that he will be stepping aside so that a “younger leader who will have a longer runway can take over.” Heng Swee Keat, who […] Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, pictured in 2019, has long been considered the likely successor to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat is stepping down from his position to give way to a "younger leader" who will have more years ahead of him to govern the nation.. SINGAPORE - With Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat stepping down as the fourth-generation leader, Mr Lee Hsien Loong will stay on as prime minister until the 4G team chooses a … Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat will step aside as the country's designated future leader to let someone younger take over when current premier Lee Hsien Loong retires, according to a letter he published on Thursday. "We need a leader who will not only rebuild Singapore … SINGAPORE, April 8 — The news today that Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat was taking himself out of the running as Singapore’s next prime minister marked an unexpected turn of events that began in 2018. Heng was expected to take over as Singapore's new prime minster once Lee Hsien Loong hands over the leadership as previously planned sometime within his five-year … Singapore deputy prime minister steps away from future leadership role in shock announcement. SINGAPORE — Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat will step aside as the designated successor to current premier Lee Hsien Loong, … 0. Then-First Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong claimed that Hendrickson's alleged conspiracy could have resulted in the election of 20 or 30 opposition politicians to Parliament, which in his words could lead to "horrendous" effects, possibly even the paralysis and fall of the Singapore government. Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat will step aside as the designated successor to current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in an unexpected decision that disrupts the city-state's succession plans. CNBC - April 8, 2021. The central business district skyline from the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.