Lee Hsien Loong
Born 1952 · Age 73
Singaporean politician and former military officer; served as Singapore's 3rd Prime Minister (2004–2024) and thereafter as Senior Minister. Long-serving PAP leader and MP for Teck Ghee / Ang Mo Kio since 1984.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Singapore
Born at KK Women's and Children's Hospital in Singapore, eldest child of Lee Kuan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo.
Started primary education at Nanyang Primary
Attended Nanyang Primary School (approximate start year based on school timeline provided).
Attended Catholic High School
Studied at Catholic High School; played clarinet in school band.
National Junior College; awarded President's Scholarship
Attended National Junior College; received the President's Scholarship (source material cites award around this period).
Awarded SAF Overseas Scholarship and commenced SAF Officer training
Awarded the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship and completed SAFTI Officer Cadet Course; commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant and began SAF service.
Mathematics study at Trinity College, Cambridge (began)
Started studies at Trinity College, University of Cambridge on SAF scholarship.
Senior Wrangler at Cambridge
Achieved the distinction of Senior Wrangler in the Mathematics Tripos (top mathematics undergraduate).
Graduated Cambridge with first-class honours and Diploma in Computer Science
Graduated BA (promoted to MA by seniority) in mathematics with first-class honours and obtained a Diploma in Computer Science with distinction (equivalent to a master's).
Commissioned and served as commissioned SAF officer (post-graduation)
Served in the Singapore Armed Forces as commissioned officer, posted to artillery and other commands (service period 1971–1984, commissioned 1974–1984).
Attended US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth
Took a military staff course at Fort Leavenworth, USA.
Married Wong Ming Yang
Married Dr. Wong Ming Yang (marriage year cited as 1978).
Completed MPA at Harvard Kennedy School (Mason Fellow)
Earned Master of Public Administration as a Mason Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School.
Appointed commanding officer of 23rd Battalion Singapore Artillery (approx.)
Served as commanding officer of the 23rd Battalion Singapore Artillery during SAF career (exact appointment year during late 1970s–early 1980s).
Widowed (first wife died)
Wife Wong Ming Yang died in 1982; Lee became a widower with children.
Led rescue operations after Sentosa cable car disaster
Put in command of rescue operations following the Sentosa cable car accident (coordinated rescue/recovery efforts).
Promoted to Brigadier-General (youngest in SAF history)
Promoted to the rank of brigadier-general (July 1983), noted as the youngest brigadier-general in Singapore's history at the time.
Appointed Minister of State (Trade & Industry; Defence)
Appointed Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Minister of State for Defence soon after entering Parliament.
Resigned from SAF to enter politics
Left the Singapore Armed Forces (1984) to pursue a career in politics; date cited in some sources as 21 Sep 1984.
Elected Member of Parliament for Teck Ghee SMC
First elected MP in the 1984 general election for Teck Ghee Single Member Constituency.
Chaired government's Economic Committee
Chaired the Economic Committee which recommended tax cuts and a consumption tax to revive the economy amid a recession.
Appointed Acting Minister for Trade and Industry
Became Acting Minister for Trade and Industry (from 18 Feb 1986).
First Chairman of PAP Youth Committee
Became first chairman of the PAP Youth Committee (predecessor to Young PAP), established to engage younger Singaporeans.
Appointed Minister for Trade and Industry and Second Minister for Defence
Confirmed as full member of Cabinet as Minister for Trade and Industry and Second Minister for Defence (services).
Re-elected MP (Teck Ghee SMC)
Re-elected in 1988 general election (timeline of electoral victories includes 1988 re-election).
Elected Second Assistant Secretary-General, PAP CEC
Became Second Assistant Secretary-General of the PAP's Central Executive Committee (approx. 1989–1992).
Appointed Deputy Prime Minister
When Goh Chok Tong became Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong was made one of two Deputy Prime Ministers (28 Nov 1990).
Elected MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC (Teck Ghee ward)
Became MP for the Teck Ghee division of the newly formed Ang Mo Kio GRC on 21 August 1991 (constituency established).
Diagnosed with lymphoma
Diagnosed with malignant lymphoma (1992); relinquished ministerial portfolio and underwent chemotherapy; later went into remission.
Announced cancer in remission
Doctors reported no evidence of residual disease after chemotherapy and his lymphoma entered remission (reported April 1993).
Re-elected as MP (Ang Mo Kio)
Re-elected in 1997 general election (part of PAP's near-clean sweep that year).
Appointed Chairman of Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
Became Chairman of MAS (Jan 1998), a post he held until August 2004.
Re-elected as MP (Ang Mo Kio, walkover/prevalence)
Re-elected in 2001 general election (Ang Mo Kio GRC often uncontested in earlier elections; won re-election).
Appointed Minister for Finance
Took on the Finance Minister portfolio on 10 November 2001 while continuing as DPM.
Proposed raising GST from 3% to 5%
Announced proposal to raise the goods and services tax from 3% to 5% to help ease budget deficits; change took effect Jan 2004.
GST increase implemented (3% to 5%)
GST was increased to 5% (implementation date January 2004) as previously proposed.
Use of defamation lawsuits during premiership (ongoing pattern)
Throughout his premiership (2004–2024) Lee used defamation suits against journalists, bloggers and opposition figures (cases such as Roy Ngerng and Leong Sze Hian were cited in reports).
Sworn in as 3rd Prime Minister of Singapore
Succeeded Goh Chok Tong as Prime Minister on 12 August 2004; sworn in at the Istana by Chief Justice Yong Pung How.
Maiden National Day Rally as PM – announced five-day work week
In first National Day Rally speech as PM, announced policy of five-day work week (removed half-day Saturday); maternity leave extension also announced.
Proposed Integrated Resorts (IRs) including casino development
Proposed building two Integrated Resorts (hotel-casinos) to boost tourism revenues; proposal sparked national debate.
Five-day work week took effect
Policy removing half-day Saturday implemented on 1 January 2005.
Government approved Integrated Resorts development
Government approved the IR proposal (April 2005); these would become Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.
Ang Mo Kio GRC contested; Lee's team wins
Ang Mo Kio GRC was contested in 2006 (first contested in 15 years); Lee's six-member GRC team won 66.14% of the votes.
Announced S$2.6 billion Progress Package
S$2.6 billion (converted as reported) - package for citizens
2006 General Election victory
Led PAP in the May 2006 election; PAP won 82 of 84 seats. Ang Mo Kio GRC was contested for first time in 15 years; Lee's team won about 66.14% in Ang Mo Kio GRC.
Casino Control Act enacted
Casino Control Act came into force on 1 June 2006, regulating casino operations and social safeguards.
Ministerial salary increase controversy
Large salary increases for ministers (including PM) in 2007 drew criticism; Lee pledged to donate a portion and to freeze his pay voluntarily.
Announced relinquishing Finance portfolio
Announced on 29 Nov 2007 that he would hand over Finance portfolio to Tharman Shanmugaratnam effective 1 Dec 2007.
Singapore entered recession in Q4 2008 (Great Recession impact)
Singapore economy plunged (trade-dependent) and became first Asian country to slip into recession during Q4 2008; sectors hit included finance, construction and manufacturing.
Announced S$2.8 billion stimulus package for SMEs
Unveiled a S$2.8 billion stimulus fund in Nov 2008 to support SMEs and local firms amidst global downturn.
Announced S$20.5 billion Resilience Package
In January 2009 the government pledged a S$20.5 billion Resilience Package to support the economy during the recession.
Declared 'the worst is over'
In August 2009 Lee declared the worst of the recession over and noted stronger-than-expected recovery in manufacturing and services.
End of recession announced by Ministry of Trade & Industry
Ministry announced end to recession in Nov 2009 and forecast growth of 3–5% for 2010.
Record-high economic recovery in 2010
Singapore saw a strong recovery in 2010 with GDP rebound figures reported up to 14.53% year-on-year growth range in some metrics; unemployment fell to ~1.8% by Sept 2010.
Electoral reforms instituted
In May 2010 instituted electoral reforms: reduced number of GRCs and increased maximum NCMP and NMP to nine each; instituted cooling-off day before elections.
Chairman, Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council (role indicated)
Listed as Chair of the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council (RIEC) in official bios; exact appointment date not always specified in source material but held during/after premiership.
Public apology during 2011 campaign
During 2011 campaigning Lee publicly apologised after sensing discontent on issues like immigration, transport breakdowns and cost of living.
2011 General Election; PAP vote share falls
In May 2011 PAP received 60.14% of the vote (a 6.46% fall); PAP won 81 of 87 seats; Aljunied GRC lost to Workers' Party (historic opposition win).
Sworn in for third term as Prime Minister
Sworn in to his third term on 21 May 2011 following the general election.
Appointed Chairman of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC)
Named chairman of GIC on 1 June 2011; GIC manages more than S$100 billion in assets (as cited then).
Announced intention not to be PM beyond age 70
Indicated publicly in 2012 his hope not to remain prime minister beyond age seventy.
Mourning of Lee Kuan Yew (family / state event)
Public attendance and tribute activities after the death of his father; Lee Hsien Loong was photographed/portrayed at Parliament in front of his father's casket on 29 March 2015.
2015 General Election victory
In September 2015 election Lee re-elected in Ang Mo Kio GRC; PAP won 83 of 89 seats and 69.9% of the national vote.
Hit 1 million Facebook likes (social media milestone)
His official Facebook page reached 1 million likes in 2016 (reported in source material as an indication of public engagement).
Public family dispute over 38 Oxley Road
Public dispute with siblings (Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling) over fate of late father's house at 38 Oxley Road surfaced on social media; prompted a parliamentary debate and led to PM recusal from related discussions.
Cybersecurity Act and Cyber Security Agency established
In response to rising cyberattacks, the Cybersecurity Act was introduced (2018) and the Cyber Security Agency was established to strengthen cyber defence.
Re-elected in 2020 General Election
Re-elected as MP in the July 2020 general election; PAP won national vote and Ang Mo Kio was returned (vote share and majority recorded in infobox).
Led government response to COVID-19 pandemic
Oversaw Singapore's public-health and economic responses in 2020 (and 2021) during the global COVID-19 pandemic and associated recession/recovery packages.
Handled COVID response and succession issues
Continued to oversee pandemic management and dealt with leadership succession adjustments after plans involving Heng Swee Keat changed in 2021.
Singapore imposes sanctions on Russia and repeals Section 377A
Oversaw government response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Singapore was the only Southeast Asian country to impose sanctions on Russia). Also oversaw repeal of colonial-era Section 377A decriminalising male same-sex sexual activity.
Named intention to step down before 2025 election
In November 2023 publicly announced intention to step down before the 2025 general election and signalled Lawrence Wong as successor-in-waiting.
Announced he would not seek sixth term
In April 2024 announced he would not run for a sixth term as prime minister at the forthcoming general election.
Stepped down as Prime Minister; became Senior Minister
On 15 May 2024 he relinquished the office of Prime Minister and was appointed Senior Minister in the new cabinet formed by Lawrence Wong.
Relinquished role as Secretary-General of PAP
Served as Secretary-General of the People's Action Party from 7 Nov 2004 until 4 Dec 2024 (infobox dates), succeeded by Lawrence Wong.
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