Lee’s Going--but Not Really Gone : <i> His successor is perceived by many in Singapore to be a seat warmer for his son</i>

His legacy to Asia is indisputable. His vision for his tiny island nation unwavering. But can he let go?

Lee Kuan Yew, the brilliant architect and leader of modern Singapore, is stepping down Wednesday after 31 years as prime minister. But he will remain a power broker, looming large over Singapore’s second generation of leaders. That’s not all to the good.

The 67-year-old Lee, who led Singapore’s stunning, 25-year transformation from a backwater seaport to a major financial and trading center, will pass his prime minister duties to his handpicked deputy, Goh Chok Tong, 49. Lee’s son, Lee Hsien Loong, 38, will assume the No. 2 post-- head of government whenever Goh is out of Singapore.

As a parting gift, the elder Lee has upgraded the once ceremonial presidency to an elective post with veto power over budgets, judiciary and civil service. Lee denies speculation that he has his eye on the presidency. He will stay on instead as a senior minister and in the powerful post of secretary general of the People’s Action Party, which holds 80 of 81 seats in Parliament.

Ever the consummate politician, Lee has managed to skirt some criticism--for now--of dynastic ambitions by naming a nonfamily member as his successor. Nevertheless, Goh is perceived by many to be a seat warmer for Lee’s son.

Meanwhile, Goh’s challenge is to create what he calls, borrowing from President Bush, a “gentler, kinder” government. His aim: a consensus government that embraces Singapore’s multiethnic population and appeals to a younger, better-educated generation so that they can all continue Singapore’s economic miracle. Lee’s more authoritarian style has been a double-edged sword bringing prosperity at a cost of a rigid and repressed society that is causing skilled workers to emigrate.

That is not to denigrate Lee’s accomplishments. For Singapore today, rightly or wrongly, is the result of his vision. But Lee was quoted as saying in 1988, “Those who believe that when I have left the government as prime minister that I’ve gone into permanent retirement should have their heads examined.” Lee shouldn’t hold on too long or too hard--he could undo his legacy.