Prime Minister Lawrence Wong took to Facebook on Tuesday to express his gratitude towards Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean and Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat as they bid farewell to politics. Wong hailed Teo and Heng as “two giants of public service” and acknowledged their significant contributions to Singapore.
“Their decades of service have helped build the strong foundations that my team and I now stand on, as we chart the way forward for Singapore,” Wong said in his post.
Teo and Heng announced their retirements on Apr 23, which coincided with Nomination Day for the recent General Election. In his letter to Teo, Wong thanked him for his “lifetime of service” to the nation. He highlighted Teo’s contributions in defense, climate action, diplomacy, and security, noting that they have left a lasting impact on Singapore.
Wong commended Teo for his dedication to Singapore, starting from his days as a navy officer in 1972 to his various roles in the Republic of Singapore Navy and later in politics. Teo’s visionary leadership as Minister for Defence was crucial to the transformation of the Singapore Armed Forces, Wong mentioned.
Teo’s efforts in fostering security cooperation through initiatives like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus were also recognized. Wong praised Teo’s role in enhancing ties with defense partners and ensuring Singapore’s security strategies were forward-looking.
Moving to the Ministry of Home Affairs and later as Coordinating Minister for National Security, Teo continued to make significant contributions to Singapore’s security landscape. His time at the Ministry of Education was also highlighted for driving reforms to prepare Singapore for a knowledge-based economy.
Wong described Teo as a “trusted mentor” to new People’s Action Party (PAP) Members of Parliament, instilling in them a sense of duty and service. Teo’s leadership on the global stage, particularly in strengthening Singapore’s relations with key partners, was also acknowledged.
In his letter to Heng, Wong expressed gratitude for Heng’s extensive contributions to Singapore. Heng’s dedication to serving Singaporeans throughout his career, from his days as a police officer to his roles in the Administrative Service and later in politics, was commended.
As Minister for Education, Heng’s efforts to nurture every child’s potential and promote lifelong learning were highlighted. His role in creating more degree places for Singaporeans and introducing SkillsFuture as a national movement for lifelong learning was also praised.
Wong noted Heng’s steady stewardship of Singapore’s fiscal resources as Minister for Finance, particularly during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Heng’s leadership in delivering Budgets to support lives and livelihoods during the crisis was acknowledged.
Heng’s contributions to upgrading Singapore’s economy and strengthening international partnerships for economic opportunities were also noted. Wong highlighted Heng’s role in enhancing Singapore’s research and innovation ecosystem to tackle global challenges like climate change and ageing.
Wong expressed regret that Heng had to step aside from his role as leader of the fourth-generation team due to the COVID-19 delay, but praised his selfless decision. He thanked Heng for his guidance and mentorship throughout their time in politics together.
In conclusion, Wong thanked both Teo and Heng for their unwavering dedication to Singapore and its people. He wished them happiness and fulfillment in their retirement.
