PM Lee thanks S'poreans for what country achieved over last 20 years

People live in peace and contentment today due to efforts of citizens, he says

- Tham Yuen-C

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he has no regrets after leading the country for 20 years, having done what he set out to do with Singaporeans.

Singapore is a shining little red dot today, where people live in peace and contentment, and this is due to the effort of its citizens, he added.

As he prepares to step down from leading the country, PM Lee has this message for the people: "We've achieved much together...

we are proud to be Singaporeans, and I am comforted by that. This is the result of everyone's hard work, and I thank you for your effort and support." He will pass the baton to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on May 15.

In wide-ranging interviews in English and Chinese looking back at his years in office, a relaxed and smiling PM Lee said he was ready to hand over to a new leader to take Singapore forward.

Noting that there have already been two successful leadership transitions, he expressed confidence that the third will be as smooth and peaceful.

PM Lee, a former brigadier-general who entered politics in 1984 and was appointed minister of state soon after, will stay on as senior minister in the new Cabinet after the handover.

Asked if he would deal with tricky issues as founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew did after stepping down, or travel the world like second prime minister Goh Chok Tong did to cement friendships, PM Lee said: "To the extent that I have people who know me and whom I can talk to, I will certainly make use of that and engage them. Specific, sensitive policy, that is up to the prime minister to decide."

He added: "If he arrows me to do it, I will take the arrow." Whatever his role in the new team, he will only be in a supporting role, PM Lee stressed.

He said he told his successor: "I will be here to do my best to help you to succeed. You have to be your own person. You have to make the decisions.