Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has assembled a refreshed leadership team to take Singapore forward in these uncertain times. This team, which blends experienced ministers with younger counterparts, reflects continuity in governance, while laying the foundation for Singapore’s fifth-generation leadership in the years ahead.
The new Cabinet marks a significant reshuffle that includes leadership renewal at more junior levels and the appointment of three coordinating ministers. The team is slightly bigger than before with 40 political office-holders, up from 37 previously.
Nine new office-holders reflect the importance of leadership renewal
A record nine new political officeholders were appointed in PM Wong’s Cabinet line-up. Of the nine, seven are first-term Members of Parliament, including two acting ministers, while two existing MPs have been appointed from the backbench – Desmond Choo and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim.
Dinesh Vasu Dash, Jasmin Lau, Goh Pei Ming will become ministers of state, and Goh Hanyan and former Nominated MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi will be appointed to senior parliamentary secretary roles.
Former senior civil servant Jeffrey Siow and ex-army chief David Neo will be appointed acting minister for transport and acting minister for culture, community and youth, respectively.
They follow in the footsteps of previous MPs who were given Ministerial appointments in their first term as parliamentarians. These include Heng Swee Keat and Chan Chun Sing, who were appointed as Minister for Education, and Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth respectively. Both Ministers, as well as Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, were first elected in 2011.
The single-minded focus on leadership renewal is baked into the PAP’s DNA. In 2011, then PM Lee Hsien Loong indicated the need to assemble the leadership team for the next leg of Singapore’s development.
“I cannot say who my successor will be.” said PM Lee, in a dialogue session in 2011. “What I can do is make sure that I bring into the net a group of people. Half a dozen, maybe ten, who show promise, have talent and hopefully amongst them will develop someone whom the rest will acknowledge to be their leader.”
Fourteen years later, and with a successful transition to the 4G team, PM Wong has indicated his focus on setting the foundations for the 5G leadership.
At the press conference, he reiterated that that number of new officeholders reflects the importance of leadership renewal. “Hopefully, they will develop, grow, and they will be able to take on larger responsibilities in due course.”
Experienced ministers continue to helm key portfolios
While leadership renewal is important, PM Wong has placed emphasis on maintaining stability and continuity in key portfolios, such as finance, trade and industry, home affairs and foreign affairs.
This is why DPM Gan Kim Yong will continue as Minister for Trade and Industry while PM Wong will lead the Finance Ministry. As PM Wong aptly put it, “we need experienced hands at the helm in a changed world with rising trade barriers, sharper competition and greater uncertainty.
Across the security portfolios, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan will continue as Minister for Foreign Affairs while K Shanmugam will step up to take on the additional role as Coordinating Minister for National Security.
Singapore’s defence portfolio is also in the steady hands of a senior 4G leader. Chan Chun Sing, who was a former Chief of Army, will succeed Dr Ng Eng Hen as Defence Minister.
PM Wong said: “He has deep operational experience and strategic insights. I am confident he will lead the ministry well, and further strengthen Singapore’s defence posture.”
Ensuring continuity and follow-through is equally important. Continuing as Health Minister allows Minister Ong Ye Kung to carry on implementing national programmes like Healthier SG and Age Well SG introduced in the previous term of government, a fact he alluded to at yesterday’s press conference.
Grace Fu’s continuation as Minister for Sustainability and the Environment similarly allows her to continue overseeing important projects from the previous term of government. As PM Wong has highlighted, sustainability is becoming a more important part of Singapore’s agenda.
4G ministers swap portfolios to gain more experience
PM Wong has also given cabinet members in their first or second full ministerial positions, a chance to gain more experience through different portfolios.
Desmond Lee will assume the role of Minister for Education, relinquishing his national development portfolio. He will continue as Minister-in-charge of Social Service Integration.
Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat will take over as Minister for National Development.
At his first Cabinet reshuffle in 2024, PM Wong had said he planned to rotate the 4G ministers and “give them wider exposure and experience” if his government was re-elected.
PM Wong has a solid team which includes three coordinating ministers
Mr Shanmugam, Mr Chan, and Mr Ong have been appointed as coordinating ministers overseeing national security, public services, and social policies respectively.
The move reflects the importance of these critical areas to the national agenda.
Together with the trust and confidence that Singaporeans have given to the PAP Government through its mandate at the recent general elections, PM Wong has done his best to put together an effective government to take Singapore forward.
With the strongest possible team formed, Singaporeans can be assured that the new PAP team will serve diligently, and deliver on our promise: securing a brighter future for all.
