Singapore's prime minister-designate Lee Hsien Loong, who is to be sworn in in a garden ceremony with some 1,400 guests witnessing Singapore's first leadership change in 14 years(AFP)

New Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is to be sworn in in a garden ceremony at the Istana state complex with some 1,400 guests witnessing Singapore's first leadership change in 14 years.

The 52-year-old son of Singapore's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, who will stay in the cabinet as an adviser, invited ordinary Singaporeans along with local and foreign dignitaries to the ceremony, the Straits Times reported.

Outgoing Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, 63, chaired his last cabinet meeting on Wednesday as workers rushed preparations for the oath-taking ceremony on an outdoor stage with the British colonial-era Istana main building as backdrop.

The leafy walled complex located along Orchard Road, Singapore's smartest avenue, was the residence of British governors and now houses the offices of the president and prime minister.

The televised ceremony is to start at 8 pm with the singing of the national anthem, after which President S. R. Nathan will deliver a speech, according to an aide of the new prime minister.

Chief Justice Yong Pung How will then swear in the new prime minister, followed by Goh, who will now be senior minister.

Next is Lee Kuan Yew, who will turn 81 next month and take the special title of minister mentor, signifying his role as counsellor to the new generation of leaders, part of Singapore's unique process of political continuity.

Lee Kuan Yew himself took the title senior minister when he stepped down in 1990 in favor of Goh.

After the senior Lee, deputy prime ministers Tony Tan, 64, who will retain his post until retiring in June next year, and S. Jayakumar, 65, the outgoing foreign minister, will take their oaths, followed by the rest of the cabinet.

Lee Kuan Yew paid tribute to his former protege Goh in a statement carried by local media on Thursday.

"He has done well for all of us. I am proud and happy that I was a member of his team. We worked well together," said Lee, who had openly said before that Goh, an economist and former shipping executive, was not his first choice to succeed him.

"Although he is not a natural politician, by determination and sustained effort, he learned to become an effective public speaker," Lee said.

"He has added to what my generation built and created more opportunities for our people in so many fields," he added.

Lee Kuan Yew led the first generation of leaders who struggled for independence from Britain and brought Singapore into the Malaysian federation in 1963.

Predominantly ethnic Chinese Singapore was ejected from the federation amid differences over racial policies with Kuala Lumpur and became an independent republic on August 9, 1965.

Goh was the leader of the second generation which steered Singapore into the 21st century, and Lee Hsien Loong will now lead the third generation of ministers made up of businessmen, technocrats, former military officers and seasoned politicians.

(Agencies)

swear in: administer on oath to（使宣誓就職）

outgoing: enjoying the company of others; pleasant and responsive to others; sociable; friendly; convivial; cordial（對人友好的）

protege: one under the care and protection of another（被保護人）