Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has unveiled his first major Cabinet refresh since the General Election, promoting a younger generation of political office holders into key ministerial roles.
“This is another step in our leadership renewal. Younger officeholders will take on larger responsibilities, working alongside more experienced leaders,” said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
The changes, which take effect from next Monday (27 July), will see Jeffrey Siow and David Neo promoted to full Ministers.
Mr Siow will become Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance. Mr Neo will be appointed Minister for Culture, Community and Youth as well as Second Minister for Education.
Ms Sim Ann, who was previously Senior Minister of State, will be appointed Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Home Affairs.
Several other first-term MPs are also taking on expanded responsibilities.
Ms Jasmin Lau and Mr Goh Pei Ming have both been promoted to Senior Ministers of State (SMS).
Ms Lau will be appointed as Acting Minister for Manpower and SMS in the Ministry of Digital Development and Information. She will relinquish her appointment in the Ministry of Education.
Mr Goh will serve as SMS in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Social and Family Development.
Backbenchers Foo Cexiang (Tanjong Pagar GRC) and Shawn Loh (Jalan Besar GRC) will also join the Government as Ministers of State (MOS).
Mr Foo will be appointed MOS in the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Mr Loh will be appointed MOS in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health.
Experienced leaders take on new roles
The reshuffle also sees several senior officeholders take on new responsibilities.
K Shanmugam will become Senior Minister while continuing as Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs.
Dr Tan See Leng will take on the newly created portfolio of Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry), relinquishing his role as Minister for Manpower.
Mr Ng Chee Meng will join the Cabinet as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad, who was earlier appointed Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, will remain Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence. He will relinquish his appointment in the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.
Mr Alvin Tan will be appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while retaining his role at the Ministry of National Development. He will relinquish his appointment in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim will become Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs and continue serving in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He will relinquish his appointment in the Ministry of Social and Family Development.
SMS Zaqy Mohamad joins PAP CEC
The PAP also announced that Mr Zaqy Mohamad has been co-opted into the party’s 38th Central Executive Committee (CEC) with immediate effect.
He has also been appointed Chairperson of the PAP Malay Affairs Bureau, taking over from Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim.
With Mr Zaqy’s appointment, the 38th CEC continues to bring together both experienced and newer leaders to guide the party as it prepares Singapore for the future.
“Together, we will continue to build a strong team to serve Singapore and Singaporeans,” said PM Wong.
