SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's Cabinet threw him a birthday celebration in advance, ahead of his 64th birthday next week.

Mr Lee was born on Feb 10, 1952. But he will be away on his birthday, hence the early celebration.

Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin posted pictures of the celebration on Facebook on Wednesday (Feb 3), writing: "Since PM Lee Hsien Loong will be away next week, we decided to prematurely age him by celebrating his birthday during our pre-cabinet lunch meeting."

"Happy birthday PM!" the message also said.

It was signed off "from all of us in Cabinet".

Photos showed Mr Lee blowing out candles and cutting a birthday cake, while others looked on, including Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.