Singapore’s new prime minister vows to ‘lead in our own way’ as Lee dynasty ends after half-century

By EILEEN NG
Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Singapore’s new prime minister has vowed to make “tomorrow better than today” as he took his oath of office in a carefully planned political succession designed to ensure stability in the Asian financial hub. The U.S.-trained economist Lawrence Wong succeeds Lee Hsien Loong, who stepped down after two decades. Wong is the city-state’s fourth leader and the first born after Singapore’s independence in 1965. Lee’s departure ended a family dynasty led by his father Lee Kuan Yew, who built the colonial trading outpost into one of the world’s richest nations during 31 years in office. Wong says his leadership style will differ as he navigates Singapore through a more troubled world.