Singaporeans have known since last August that the ruling People's Action Party was planning to promote Lee, deputy premier since 1990, to the top post. So tightly has the transition been scripted that diplomats speculated--correctly--that Goh and Lee would share the responsibilities during this year's National Day ceremonies. Goh gets to deliver the customary National Day address on August 9, while Lee handles the associated rally speech on August 22.

The seamless handover is meant to reinforce Singapore's reputation for stability and predictability. No major policy changes are likely, though Lee's personal style is regarded as tougher than that of the affable Goh.

Lee has an early chance to put his stamp on the new administration through key appointments. He must decide what portfolios he will assign to his father and to Goh, who will both remain in the cabinet. He must also decide if he will remain finance minister as well as chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the central bank. Observers are interested to see if Lee maintains the current practice of having two deputy premiers, and if one of them can be viewed as a possible--if distant--successor.

                                                      Home