‘We have built a strong foundation for Singapore's future generations: PM Lee

In his last major speech at the May Day Rally, he asks Singaporeans to rally behind leadership team, to make the nation succeed

- Chin Soo Fang

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he has prepared a leadership team to succeed him that deserves Singaporeans' confidence and support, and asked that all Singaporeans rally behind it to make the nation succeed.

Despite dark clouds on the horizon, the Republic has built a strong foundation for its future generations to continue to write new chapters of the Singapore story, PM Lee said at the May Day Rally on May 1.

In a valedictory speech at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, he said he felt "a sense of satisfaction and completeness" as he prepared to hand over Singapore in good order to his successor, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, on May 15.

"I have done my duty, and I am very happy I chose this path of public service all those many years ago," said PM Lee to a standing ovation from the 1,400 unionists, business leaders and government officials who were present.

However, leading a country is never a one-man job but that of a national team, he said as he thanked MPs and union leaders, as well as Singaporeans for their trust and support.

"I have strived to lead you and to govern Singapore in the way you deserve, to mobilise Singaporeans to show what we can do together," he said.

'WE HAVE IMPROVED EVERYONE'S LIVES'

PM Lee, who had spoken at almost every May Day Rally since he became prime minister in 2004, said he had sought in his tenure to build on Singapore's strengths under past leaders such as founding PM Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Goh Chok Tong.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his team overcame tremendous odds to forge an improbable nation with multiculturalism as its creed, and made home ownership, education and healthcare available to all.