The Workers’ Party’s (WP) Nicole Seah announced on Facebook that she has safely given birth to a healthy baby girl, and that she and her husband will be “closing factory” after this.

Here is what she said on Facebook

It’s a girl! Welcomed baby N to the family, and it’s been a flurry of night feeds and diaper changes whilst recovering from delivery.

Today my husband casually remarked that it’s the eve of a public holiday and I mistakenly thought it was still Tuesday! Guess it will take a while before everything settles down and returns to regular programming.

Everything feels familiar but new at the same time. It’s extra cute observing my eldest girl, who has been helpful and involved in the entire process, telling me “mummy eat more vegetables to make milk for meimei” and helping to burp her baby sister.

Being second time (and last time) parents has also allowed us to better appreciate the milestones and moments, knowing it will be the last time and we are “closing factory” after this!

Thank you to all for the well wishes over the past few months, and the encouraging advice I received on parenting with two kids.

Our hearts have expanded and we’re so looking forward to watch both sisters grow up together.

Heng Swee Keat has pledged his support for the new leader of the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) 4G team, Lawrence Wong, in a Facebook post.

He described Wong as being a leader who brings people together, and has the conviction to do what is right for Singapore.

He added that Wong has a big task ahead of him, and that he has the wholehearted support of the team.

Here is what he said on Facebook

The 4G leaders have agreed that Lawrence Wong is the best person to lead us in these challenging and rapidly changing times. I am very glad that he has accepted this responsibility.

Lawrence and I entered politics at the same time, and both of us started at MOE. There, I appreciated his work creating opportunities for our young people as Chairman of the Committee on University Education Pathways Beyond 2015.

Shortly after I went to MOF, I asked Lawrence to join as Second Minister. He was a strong addition to our team, and I enjoyed working closely with him and Indranee on Budgets to support our businesses and people.

When the pandemic hit, I spoke to Lawrence to co-chair a Multi-Ministry Task Force with Gan Kim Yong. Lawrence agreed readily. He was an indispensable pillar in MOF’s work throughout our pandemic Budgets, as well as a calm and thorough leader in our pandemic responses.

I therefore had full confidence in Lawrence when he took my place as Minister for Finance last year. I was impressed when he delivered his maiden Budget this year — it was not an easy Budget to deliver, but he did so with verve, steadiness, and a sense of fairness.

What we need is a next leader who has the well-being of Singaporeans and Singapore at heart, who has the integrity and commitment to serve, and the ability to forge new paths and bring people together.

I believe that Lawrence has these qualities. I have found him to be a leader who considers things carefully, is able to bring people together, and has conviction to do what’s right for Singapore.

As importantly, Lawrence has the runway to eventually succeed PM. We have had a challenging few years. In the coming years, we will need to navigate even more changes that will affect Singaporeans.

Lawrence has a big task ahead of him. He has my whole-hearted support and confidence, as well as the support of his peers. Please give him your whole-hearted support.  Remember too that each of us has a role to play in the future of Singapore. Together, we can take Singapore forward!

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the ministers have chosen Lawrence Wong to be the leader of the Peoples’ Action Party’s (PAP) 4G leadership.

Here is his statement

STATEMENT FROM LEE HSIEN LOONG

PRIME MINISTER OF SINGAPORE AND PEOPLE’S ACTION PARTY SECRETARY-GENERAL

14 APRIL 2022

1. After a process of consultation, Cabinet ministers affirmed today their choice of Minister Lawrence Wong as the leader of the 4G team. This decision was endorsed by all Government MPs in a party caucus this evening.
2. When Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat stepped aside as the leader of the 4G in April last year, the 4G requested time to arrive at a consensus as to who should lead them. They had to focus then on the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. The 4G team has worked closely together through the past two years of the pandemic, and had the opportunity to better understand each other’s strengths. With the pandemic situation stabilised, we are now able to relook the issue of succession.
4. After consulting the Ministers, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong asked former Cabinet Minister and People’s Action Party Chairman Mr Khaw Boon Wan to start a process involving the Ministers, as well as Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng. Mr Khaw met each one of them individually, to sound out their personal views in confidence and to facilitate a new consensus on a 4G leader. The views of the Prime Minister and the two Senior Ministers were not sought.
5. Mr Khaw found that the overwhelming majority of those consulted, supported Minister Wong as the leader. Earlier today, Mr Khaw briefed Cabinet Ministers, as well as the Speaker and NTUC Secretary-General, on his findings, and all endorsed the decision for Minister Wong to lead the team. This decision was subsequently presented to and endorsed by People’s Action Party MPs this evening.
6. With this decision, the Prime Minister will make adjustments to Cabinet appointments. These will be announced in due course.
7. This decision on succession is a crucial one for Singapore. It will ensure the continuity and stability of leadership that are the hallmarks of our system. The Ministers recognise that the right to lead cannot be inherited. Mr Lawrence Wong and his younger team will continue to give their best to Singaporeans, and justify their trust and support.