Overview

• Prime Minister Lawrence Wong formally recognized Heng Swee Keat and Teo Chee Hean's decades of service in valedictory letters and public tributes on May 6, marking their retirement from politics.
• Heng Swee Keat, who served as Minister for Education and Finance, is credited with major reforms including the abolition of secondary school rankings, the launch of SkillsFuture, and the Assurance Package to support lower-income households during the GST increase.
• Teo Chee Hean, with a 53-year career beginning in the navy, played a pivotal role in modernizing the Singapore Armed Forces and fostering regional security cooperation through initiatives like the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus).
• Both leaders were praised for their mentorship, with Heng stepping aside from PAP's 4G leadership to enable a younger successor and Teo guiding new Members of Parliament with his extensive experience.
• Their retirements signal a managed generational leadership transition within the People's Action Party as PM Wong's administration continues to advance the Forward Singapore agenda.