Kuala Lampur, Feb. 24 -- Earlier this week, on February 19 - the Singapore government delivered its annual Budget.

The various figures with regards to government spending - S$15.5 billion (RM46.7 billion) on defence, a S$2.1 billion total budget surplus in 2018, S$200 worth of tax rebates to all citizens etc. - aren't the stuff of gripping TV viewing but in the world of Singapore politics and business, this is a moment of high drama.

Minister of Finance Heng Swee Keat strode forth to deliver the Budget "live" to the nation.

While this is the fourth Budget Heng has presented, this year's performance is significant as he is now the anointed successor to PM Lee Hsien Loong.

He is the man destined to be Singapore's fourth prime minister....