Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Steps Down, Marking End of Family Dynasty and Era of Economic Growth

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Steps Down, Marking End of Family Dynasty and Era of Economic Growth

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the son of the country's founder and former leader Lee Kuan Yew, stepped down after nearly two decades in office on Wednesday.
Lee's resignation marked the end of a family dynasty as he formally handed over the reins to his deputy, Lawrence Wong.

During Lee's tenure, Singapore transformed into an international financial hub and top tourist destination, with its gross domestic product per capita more than doubling.

The government also successfully navigated several recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lee's succession was planned for years but was delayed due to the pandemic.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 72, has announced that Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam will remain in his cabinet.

Former prime ministers have held senior roles after stepping down from the top job.

In his final major speech, Lee urged Singaporeans to support Tharman and praised the country's stable politics for enabling long-term planning.

Lee expressed satisfaction with his public service career and acknowledged the importance of a national team.

Anand Gopalan, a financial advisor, commended Lee for keeping Singapore up-to-date during his leadership.

The text discusses the economic growth and transformation of Singapore under the leadership of Lee Hsien Loong.

The city-state has seen an increase in technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-ups, particularly in financial technology and artificial intelligence.

This has led to a diverse range of career options for citizens.

However, despite Singapore's wealth, it has become one of the most expensive cities to live in, with diminishing jobs and increased taxes and living costs being major concerns.

A 63-year-old Singaporean woman, Alice Rani, expressed her admiration for the government's achievements in transforming the country.

The text expresses satisfaction with the Singaporean government and its improvements, despite the expense of living.

Singaporeans have enjoyed better infrastructure, specifically transportation and pedestrian-friendly streets, which are among the best in Southeast Asia.

Artist Margaret Pereira highlights the benefits for Singaporeans, including improved roads, flats, and convenient hawker centers.

The government has provided subsidies and assistance, and there have been significant differences in the past 20 years, with more trains and train lines being built.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Not Only F-35s: Saudi Arabia to Gain Access to the World’s Most Sensitive Technology
Saudi Arabia Condemns Sydney Bondi Beach Shooting and Expresses Solidarity with Australia
Washington Watches Beijing–Riyadh Rapprochement as Strategic Balance Shifts
Saudi Arabia Urges Stronger Partnerships and Efficient Aid Delivery at OCHA Donor Support Meeting in Geneva
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Drives Measurable Lift in Global Reputation and Influence
Alcohol Policies Vary Widely Across Muslim-Majority Countries, With Many Permitting Consumption Under Specific Rules
Saudi Arabia Clarifies No Formal Ban on Photography at Holy Mosques for Hajj 2026
Libya and Saudi Arabia Sign Strategic MoU to Boost Telecommunications Cooperation
Elon Musk’s xAI Announces Landmark 500-Megawatt AI Data Center in Saudi Arabia
Israel Moves to Safeguard Regional Stability as F-35 Sales Debate Intensifies
Cardi B to Make Historic Saudi Arabia Debut at Soundstorm 2025 Festival
U.S. Democratic Lawmakers Raise National Security and Influence Concerns Over Paramount’s Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Hackers Are Hiding Malware in Open-Source Tools and IDE Extensions
Traveling to USA? Homeland Security moving toward requiring foreign travelers to share social media history
Wall Street Analysts Clash With Riyadh Over Saudi Arabia’s Deficit Outlook
Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Cement $1 Trillion-Plus Deals in High-Profile White House Summit
Saudi Arabia Opens Alcohol Sales to Wealthy Non-Muslim Residents Under New Access Rules
U.S.–Saudi Rethink Deepens — Washington Moves Ahead Without Linking Riyadh to Israel Normalisation
Saudi Arabia and Israel Deprioritise Diplomacy: Normalisation No Longer a Middle-East Priority
Saudi Arabia Positions Itself as the Backbone of the Global AI Era
As Trump Deepens Ties with Saudi Arabia, Push for Israel Normalization Takes a Back Seat
Thai Food Village Debuts at Saudi Feast Food Festival 2025 Under Thai Commerce Minister Suphajee’s Lead
Saudi Arabia Sharpens Its Strategic Vision as Economic Transformation Enters New Phase
Saudi Arabia Projects $44 Billion Budget Shortfall in 2026 as Economy Rebalances
OPEC+ Unveils New Capacity-Based System to Anchor Future Oil Output Levels
Will Saudi Arabia End Up Bankrolling Israel’s Post-Ceasefire Order in Lebanon?
Saudi Arabia’s SAMAI Initiative Surpasses One-Million-Citizen Milestone in National AI Upskilling Drive
Saudi Arabia’s Specialty Coffee Market Set to Surge as Demand Soars and New Exhibition Drops in December
Saudi Arabia Moves to Open Two New Alcohol Stores for Foreigners Under Vision 2030 Reform
Saudi Arabia’s AI Ambitions Gain Momentum — but Water, Talent and Infrastructure Pose Major Hurdles
Tensions Surface in Trump-MBS Talks as Saudi Pushes Back on Israel Normalisation
Saudi Arabia Signals Major Maritime Crack-Down on Houthi Routes in Red Sea
Italy and Saudi Arabia Seal Over 20 Strategic Deals at Business Forum in Riyadh
COP30 Ends Without Fossil Fuel Phase-Out as US, Saudi Arabia and Russia Align in Obstruction Role
Saudi-Portuguese Economic Horizons Expand Through Strategic Business Council
DHL Commits $150 Million for Landmark Logistics Hub in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Aramco Weighs Disposals Amid $10 Billion-Plus Asset Sales Discussion
Trump Hosts Saudi Crown Prince for Major Defence and Investment Agreements
Families Accuse OpenAI of Enabling ‘AI-Driven Delusions’ After Multiple Suicides
Riyadh Metro Records Over One Hundred Million Journeys as Saudi Capital Accelerates Transit Era
Trump’s Grand Saudi Welcome Highlights U.S.–Riyadh Pivot as Israel Watches Warily
U.S. Set to Sell F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia in Major Strategic Shift
Saudi Arabia Doubles Down on U.S. Partnership in Strategic Move
Saudi Arabia Charts Tech and Nuclear Leap Under Crown Prince’s U.S. Visit
Trump Elevates Saudi Arabia to Major Non-NATO Ally Amid Defense Deal
Trump Elevates Saudi Arabia to Major Non-NATO Ally as MBS Visit Yields Deepened Ties
Iran Appeals to Saudi Arabia to Mediate Restart of U.S. Nuclear Talks
Musk, Barra and Ford Join Trump in Lavish White House Dinner for Saudi Crown Prince
Lawmaker Seeks Declassification of ‘Shocking’ 2019 Call Between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince
US and Saudi Arabia Forge Strategic Defence Pact Featuring F-35 Sale and $1 Trillion Investment Pledge
×