Kuala Lampur, April 11 -- Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat (HSK) announced that he would be taking himself out of contention for the role of SIngapore's next prime minister.

In a letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, HSK who is also Finance Minister said that he was resigning from his position as leader of the ruling People's Action Party's 4th generation leadership and effective heir apparent to the prime ministership.

The news was something of a surprise as HSK had been considered the front runner to succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

However, he seems to have struggled to assume the mantle of heir apparent.

There have been persistent doubts about his health. In 2016, he collapsed during a Cabinet meeting having suffere...