Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew said Saturday he will quit the cabinet to make way for younger leaders after the ruling party's worst performance in an election. Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, the city-state's second premier, will also leave the cabinet, according to a statement he released jointly with the 87-year-old Lee, who holds the special title Minister Mentor.
The surprise move by Lee and Goh, who turns 70 next week, came after general elections on May 7 revealed deep resentment against the People's Action Party (PAP), which has ruled Singapore for over half a century. It will be the first time Lee will be out of government in 52 years - he was first elected prime minister in 1959, when colonial ruler Britain granted self-rule to Singapore, and stepped down in 1990 in favour of Goh.
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