Lee Hsien Loong

Lee Hsien Loong
Party Affiliation
Current Role	• Senior Minister of Singapore
Past Roles	• Prime Minister of Singapore (2004-2024) •
Others	• Deputy Prime Minister • Minister of Finance
Background
Education	• University Of Cambridge • Harvard Kennedy School
Personal Details
Age	73
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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.

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 Lang, 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 Sg$30 million. He argued that their father was open to any government decisions regarding the future of the house.

However, Hsien Lang 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 Lang described Singapore as a repressive state despite the economic growth it had achieved.

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