Steady hands, valuable counsel: Lawrence Wong on his DPMS

Incoming PM points to close working ties with Gan Kim Yong and Heng Swee Keat

- Kok Yufeng

One was a relationship galvanised during the Covid-19 pandemic, the other was forged through a close working relationship over many years in government.

Appointing Mr Gan Kim Yong and Mr Heng Swee Keat as his two deputy prime ministers in his first Cabinet, Singapore's next prime minister, Mr Lawrence Wong, described his chosen lieutenants as steady hands whose advice and counsel he valued.

"I've known both Kim Yong and Swee Keat for many years," said Deputy Prime Minister Wong, 51, at a press conference on May 13.

"For me, during this initial period of transition, it will be useful to have two more experienced ministers as my deputies." It was Mr Gan who retains his position as minister for trade and industry-who picked Mr Wong as co-chair of the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19, to direct the whole-of-government response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Wong said Mr Gan, 65, was a pillar of strength, and they got to know each other's working styles better. "We went through the Covid baptism of fire together." Mr Gan's experience in international economics will also help Singapore navigate a more contested global environment, Mr Wong added.