The Search is On

As reported by the Straits Times,

It seems that LHL is already searching for the next PM for Singapore. This must be the first for a nation to actually search for a future PM, never mind that he/she will only take the reins in 15 years time.

April 2, 2008
PM still looking for his successor
It takes about three elections to groom a leader, so there's no time to lose, he says
By Lydia Lim, Senior Political Correspondent
Urgently seeking talent: 'I have found some people, but we want the best possible team.' -- PM Lee (above, at the Istana yesterday) on his priority, developing a team from whom to draw the next PM and DPMs. THE Prime Minister faces an urgent task: Find and field those who can take over from him before he turns 70. Already 56, Mr Lee Hsien Loong is seeking political talent in their 30s and early 40s, one of whom he hopes will emerge as his successor. He has no time to lose as past experience indicates that it takes about three general elections to groom a leader. This means those who contest the next polls, due by 2011, might be ready to lead only two elections after that. By then, Mr Lee will be 69 years old. 'That is very late. So there's no time to be lost,' he said in an interview with The Straits Times and Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao at the Istana yesterday. He made the point in response to questions on the Cabinet reshuffle announced over the weekend. However, he stressed, it is not for him to decide who the next prime minister will be. It is for the younger ministers and others of their generation to pick someone they have confidence in and support. That person must be someone Singaporeans will accept as their leader. 'My job is to make sure that there's as strong a team as possible. A whole Cabinet which is capable, and then among them, some star players,' Mr Lee said. Of concern to him is the outflow of top talent abroad. He looked at recent data on the 600-odd students who score four As in their A levels each year. About two-thirds pursue university degrees here, and one-third go overseas. Of those who go overseas, at least 100 are not on scholarships. About half of these non-scholarship holders do not return but work abroad after they graduate. In addition, another 100 of those who get their degrees here go overseas to work. They may come back one day but there is no guarantee. 'This flow is going to continue,' Mr Lee said. 'So it's a big challenge to find successors, particularly for politics.' However, the appointment of MP K. Shanmugam as Law Minister in the new Cabinet is a 'major step forward', he said, as he has been looking for a successor to Professor S. Jayakumar for a very long time. The promotion of five ministers of state to the senior grade is another step forward. The Prime Minister wants to give them greater exposure to government work and political life, but has 'no doubt that in time, some of them will make it as ministers'. He confirmed that there will be further Cabinet changes before the next polls.