SINGAPORE — In a major leadership transition for the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), five of its senior leaders including Mr Teo Chee Hean and Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam — who hold the second-in-command positions — have stepped down from the party's central executive committee (CEC).

Announcing this at the PAP's Party Conference on Sunday (Nov 11), party secretary-general and Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong said that Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim and Mr Lim Swee Say will also step down.

Before Sunday's party elections, Mr Teo and Mr Tharman — who are also Deputy Prime Ministers — held the PAP’s first and second assistant secretary-general posts respectively, 

Mr Khaw was the chairman, while Dr Yaacob and Mr Lim, who retired from the Cabinet in May, held the posts of vice-chairman and treasurer respectively.

Describing this as a major transition point for the party, Mr Lee said that the PAP is taking a "major step forward in our political renewal".

"After these CEC elections, the new CEC will meet within a couple of weeks to elect a new slate of office holders,” said Mr Lee.

“And in due course, I will follow up with changes in the Cabinet line-up.”

He pointed out that the PAP has had two "smooth transitions, providing both continuity and renewal".

The latest leadership renewal is the most significant since 2011, when six party leaders, including co-founder Lee Kuan Yew and former PM Goh Chok Tong, stepped down from the CEC.

Mr Lee said that the fourth-generation (4G) leadership team has been in Cabinet for several years, with many joining politics during the 2011 General Election. Others joined later in the 2015 polls.

"They have been tested in several portfolios. At the same time, they are working with each other, and learning to complement each other's strengths and weaknesses", said Mr Lee.

"It is a team of able men and women, with a good combination of skills among them. They are gaining experience, willing to serve and most importantly, with their hearts in the right place."

Saying that he can see the 4G leaders gelling as a team, Mr Lee expressed confidence that they can lead Singapore, and called on the party to give their "whole-hearted support". 

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Mr Tharman said that he shares “PM’s confidence in the 4G team”.

He added: “I have worked closely with them, some for many years. They are capable, will work well as a team, and most importantly, have their hearts in the right place.

“They are in politics because they want to help Singaporeans, especially ordinary folk, achieve what they want for themselves and their children. I am sure they will also ensure the PAP remains a broad tent, bringing in diverse views, and will stay in tune with the changing needs and aspirations of Singaporeans.

Mr Tharman, who has served on the CEC since 2002, said that he will continue to serve in the Cabinet, and he intends to “support PM and the future 4G leadership in our efforts to help Singaporeans improve their lives and make an inclusive society”.

Commenting on the leadership transition, Mr Goh, who is also Emeritus Senior Minister, told TODAY that "we are seeing the changing of horses midstream". 

He added: "It is a very delicate exercise which involves skill, teamwork and cooperation for all. So the older ministers, including the two deputy prime ministers are stepping down so that the younger ones can get into the saddle. This is the first step.”

When asked why there was a need for both Mr Teo and Mr Tharman to step down, Mr Goh said that there are limited positions within the CEC. "If they do not vacate, then where do the new ones step in?" he said.

PAP veteran Yatiman Yusof said that the move by the five senior party leaders to step down is a clear signal that leadership renewal is on "full throttle". 

Mr Yatiman, who is a former senior parliamentary secretary, said: "This major renewal is taking place as the opposition is becoming more aggressive, open and adversarial. A key factor on who will lead the party and Singapore is being able to touch the hearts of the people."

WHO WILL BE S’PORE’S NEXT PM?

Previously, political analysts told TODAY that they expect at least one, if not two, new assistant secretary-generals to be appointed after the PAP CEC elections on Sunday.

It comes after Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said in September that the line-up of the PAP’s next top decision-making body — which was also elected at the party's biennial party conference — will provide a clue to the identity of Singapore’s next Prime Minister.

Eleven Cabinet ministers — including Mr Chan Chun Sing, 49, Mr Heng Swee Keat, 57, and Mr Ong Ye Kung, 48 — and Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin received the highest number of votes, and were elected to the CEC on Sunday. Mr Chan, Mr Heng, and Mr Ong are the three frontrunners to succeed PM Lee.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Manpower Minister Josephine Teo, who received the 13th and 14th highest number of votes, were co-opted as members. Dr Ng makes a comeback to the CEC, while Mr Ong, who was co-opted into the committee after the last party conference in 2016, was voted in by party cadres this time around. 

Among the new faces in the CEC are Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Office Ng Chee Meng and Indranee Rajah. 

Among the 19 party members who made the shortlist for the CEC, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, Social and Family Development Minister Desmond Lee, Communications and Information Minister S Iswaran and Senior Minister of State (Communications and Information) Janil Puthucheary did not make the cut. 

Member of Parliament Alex Yam (Marsiling-Yew Tee Group Representation Constituency) was also nominated but was not elected. 

The new CEC will meet in a few weeks to determine a fresh slate of office bearers. Up to four more members can be co-opted to form an 18-member CEC.