PM Lee: 'Our system is to groom successors early... so that when we need to make a changeover, we can do it in a timely way and have a smooth transition'

Speaking at his first official function since becoming the prime minister, Mr Lee said he is particularly happy to have more women in his team.

'We want more women to come into the team,' he said. 'And I think there's talent out there, and I say to them, don't be shy. Come forward. Come and work with us.'

Last Tuesday, two women were appointed to the new Cabinet. They were Lim Hwee Hua (Minister of State, Finance and Transport) and Yu-Foo Yee Shoon (Minister of State, Community Development, Youth and Sports).

Amy Khor was also moved up as the Mayor of Southwest Community Development Council.

Mr Lee, who was the guest of honour at the Nee Soon Central National Day dinner last night, also dwelled on the leadership's key task of self-renewal, a process which had ensured the smooth handover of power in Singapore.

'Our system is to groom successors early, before we grow old, to find young people to bring them in so that when we need to make a changeover, we can do it in a timely way and have a smooth transition,' he said.

'It's a unique system only in Singapore.'

The system ensures that the government continues to stay in tune with the needs and aspirations of the younger generation, and to have new ideas all the time. It also allows the government to tap on the experience and network of long-serving ministers while a new team takes charge.

Mr Lee explained the rationale for keeping four seasoned ministers in his Cabinet. Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, he said, has extensive contacts with many foreign leaders and can develop these links while PM Lee himself concentrates on domestic issues over the next one to two years.

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew will serve as a trusted guide who gives advice and counsel, while Deputy PM and Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence Tony Tan is expected to take about a year to set up the new National Security Co-ordination Secretariat for an anti-terrorism strategy.

As for Deputy PM and Minister for Law S Jayakumar, he is capable of coordinating foreign policy matters across different ministries and can help Foreign Minister BG George Yeo when it comes to foreign policy issues that involve legal negotiation or international adjudication.