Lee Hsien Loong

Lee Hsien Loong 李显龙
Party Affiliation	PAP
Current Role	• Singaporean Senior Minister
Past Roles	• Prime Minister (2004-2024)
Others	• Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore • Minister of Finance
Background
Education	• Trinity College, Cambridge • Harvard University • United States Army Command and General Staff College
Personal Details
Age	73
Others

Lee Hsien Loong (born 10 February 1952) is a Singaporean senior minister who served as the country's prime minister for 20 years (2004-2024). He is the eldest son of the founding Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew and has contributed significantly to Singapore's politics, economy, and foreign policy.

Early life and education

Lee is the eldest son of Lee Kuan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo. He received his education from Catholic High School and National Junior College. He then won scholarship to study mathematics at Trinity College, University of Cambridge, where he graduated with a first-class honours degree. Later, he earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

Military career

Before entering politics, Lee joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). He had a successful career because he was the youngest person to hold a Brigadier-General at the time.

Early Political Roles (1984–2004)

Lee made his political debut in 1984. He joined the People's Action Party (PAP) and won a seat in Teck Ghee SMC. He was swiftly promoted to Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister of Finance, and Deputy Prime Minister under Goh Chok Tong's administration.

As Minister of Finance (2001–2007), he launched key economic policies that bolstered Singapore's financial sector and oversaw the restructuring the Central Provident Fund (CPF) to ensure long-term sustainability.

Prime Ministership (2004–present)

Lee succeeded Goh Chok Thong and became the third Prime Minister on 12 August 2004. Hsien Loong's administration has left important economic, diplomacy, and social welfare legacies.

Key Policies and Achievements

Economic Growth and Innovation

• Pushed Singapore's economic restructuring, focusing on innovation in technology and enterpreneurship

• Supervised the expansion of the Integrated Resorts (IRs), including Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.

• Speed up digital transformation, Smart Nation initiatives, and fintech and artificial intelligence advancements.

Foreign Policy and Diplomacy

• Boost Singapore's diplomatic ties with major powers, including the United States, China, and ASEAN member countries.

• Played a key role in hosting the Trump-Kim Summit 2018, a historic meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Social Policies

• Launched various policies to support low-income families, elderly citizens, and healthcare reforms.

• Strengthened MediShield Life and the Pioneer Generation Package to improve healthcare affordability.

• Supported racial harmony and inclusivity in Singapore's diverse society.

COVID-19 Response

• Imposed strict lockdowns, contact tracing, and vaccination programs to tackle the spread of COVID-19.

• Introduced economic recovery plans to support businesses and workers during the pandemic.

In 2023, Hsien Loong was tested for COVID-19 for the second time. However, he reassured the public that the transmission risk was lower than the previous infection.

Transition

After serving for 20 years, Lee stepped down as the Prime Minister on 15 May 2024. Lee officially handed over his power to then-Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Political analysts stated that the end of Lee's family had marked the country's evolution in leadership. When Singapore went out of Lee's family influence, Lee Hsien Loong remained in the cabinet as a Senior Minister.

For the full list of positions, refer to https://www.parliament.gov.sg/mps/list-of-current-mps/mp/details/lee-hsien-loong

Personal life

Lee Hsien Loong was previously married to Wong Ming Yang, a Malaysian-born doctor who passed away in 1982. He later married Ho Ching, the former CEO of Temasek Holdings, from 2004 to 2021. The couple has four children.

Family dispute

Conflicts involving Lee Hsien Loong and his youngest brother, Lee Hsien Yang, over their late father's old bungalow, gained public attention in 2017. Lee Hsien Loong preferred to preserve the house, which the agent said was worth S$30 million. He argued that their father was open to any government decisions regarding the future of the house.

However, Hsien Yang and his late sister, Lee Wei Ling—who passed away on 9 October 2024—stated that their father called for the demolition of the house after We Ling no longer lived there. They accused Hsien Loong of exploiting their father's legacy for his political benefit.

In an interview, Hsien Yang described Singapore as a repressive state despite the economic growth it had achieved.

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References

14th Parliament MP  : Ang Wei Neng • Baey Yam Keng • Cheryl Chan Wei Ling • Chan Chun Sing • Chee Hong Tat • Cheng Li Hui • Edward Chia Bing Hui • Chong Kee Hiong • Desmond Choo • Chua Kheng Wee Louis • Eric Chua • Darryl David • Christopher de Souza • Foo Mee Har • Grace Fu Hai Yien • Gan Kim Yong • Gan Siow Huang • Gan Thiam Poh • Derrick Goh • He Ting Ru • Heng Chee How • Heng Swee Keat • Shawn Huang Wei Zhong • Indranee Rajah • S Iswaran • Janil Puthucheary • Amy Khor Lean Suan • Koh Poh Koon • Kwek Hian Chuan Henry • Desmond Lee • Lee Hsien Loong • Liang Eng Hwa • Lim Biow Chuan • Jamus Jerome Lim • Sylvia Lim • Lim Wee Kiak • Low Yen Ling • Mariam Jaafar • Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad • Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman • Mohd Fahmi Bin Aliman • Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap • Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim • Murali Pillai • Nadia Ahmad Samdin • Ng Eng Hen • Ng Ling Ling • Louis Ng Kok Kwang • Rachel Ong • Ong Ye Kung • Joan Pereira • Leon Perera • Denise Phua Lay Peng • Poh Li San • Pritam Singh • Raeesah Khan • Rahayu Mahzam • Saktiandi Supaat • Seah Kian Peng • K Shanmugam • Sharael Taha • Sim Ann • Sitoh Yih Pin • Hany Soh • Sun Xueling • Alvin Tan • Carrie Tan • Tan Chuan-Jin • Dennis Tan Lip Fong • Desmond Tan • Jessica Tan Soon Neo • Tan Kiat How • Tan See Leng • Tan Wu Meng • Patrick Tay Teck Guan • Teo Chee Hean • Josephine Teo • Tharman Shanmugaratnam • Tin Pei Ling • Edwin Tong Chun Fai • Vikram Nair • Vivian Balakrishnan • Wan Rizal • Don Wee • Lawrence Wong • Xie Yao Quan • Alex Yam Ziming • Yeo Wan Ling • Yip Hon Weng • Melvin Yong Yik Chye • Zaqy Mohamad • Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim NCMP  : Leong Mun Wai • Hazel Poa