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Context:

• After 20 years in power, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has stepped down, handing over rein to the deputy PM and finance minister Lawrence Wong.

Details:

• Wong is the fourth PM to lead the city-state and only the second leader who is not a member of the founding Lee family.
• His rise to power has come at a time when Singapore is witnessing rising cost of living, immigration, and economic inequality.

Challenges to the newly elected Prime Minister:

• Economic Discontent and High Living Costs:
  • Singapore faces the challenge of addressing the high living costs in Singapore, which has become one of the most expensive cities globally. The lack of a minimum wage exacerbates this issue, alongside skyrocketing housing costs.
  • Solutions may involve implementing measures to address the issue of the financial burden on citizens, such as introducing policies to control housing prices or exploring the possibility of introducing a minimum wage to ensure a basic standard of living.
• Social Mobility Concerns:
  • With complaints about reduced social mobility, Singapore needs to focus on policies that promote equal opportunities for all citizens. This may entailinclude reforms in education, employment, and welfare systems to ensure that individuals from all backgrounds have the chance to succeed.
• Immigration Policy Challenges:
  • The PM must address the tensions surrounding immigration, as approximately 40% of Singapore's population consists of non-citizens. The failure of the previous government to manage immigration effectively has led to social tensions and accusations of racism.
  • Framing a balanced immigration policy that meets the needs of the economy while addressing the concerns of citizens will be crucial.
• Freedom of Expression and Civil Liberties:
  • The PM needs to maintain a balance between maintaining social order and allowing freedom of expression. While there have been some reforms, such as the repeal of anti-gay laws, restrictions on criticism of the government and discussions on sensitive topics like religion and race remain.
• Foreign Relations Dilemma:
  • Singapore's geopolitical positioning between China and the US presents a significant challenge. While China is the city-state’s largest trading partner, the US accounts for more than 20% of all foreign direct investment in Singapore.

India singapore relations has been covered in detailed , refer the article for the same:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/india-singapore-relations#:~:text=In%20the%20area%20of%20defence,2019)%20every%20year%3B%20annual%20exercises

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/lawrence-wong-singapore-new-prime-minister-9331443/

https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Singapore_2015_07_02.pdf

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