Singapore’s new Cabinet line-up has got some political observers talking. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong made some moves that could prevent another leadership succession delay, and that’s got people interested.
The team was unveiled on May 21, following the People’s Action Party’s victory in the May 3 General Election. While there’s no second deputy prime minister this time around, Mr. Wong introduced three coordinating ministers for national security, social policies, and public services. This is the first complete team formed under Mr. Wong since he took over from Mr. Lee Hsien Loong last year.
Mr. Gan Kim Yong will continue as the DPM and act as the PM when Mr. Wong is away. Mr. Chan Chun Sing will take over as defence minister, while Mr. Ong Ye Kung will keep the health portfolio and take on additional responsibility as coordinating minister for social policies. Mr. K Shanmugam will remain as home affairs minister and serve as the coordinating minister for national security.
The addition of nine new faces, including two acting ministers, to political office is a notable move. These new appointments signal a shift towards grooming the next generation of leaders, as mentioned by political observers. The focus is on the junior ministerial level, which is seen as crucial for the future of Singapore’s leadership.
The long-term goal is to have the fifth-generation (5G) PAP leaders ready by 2035. With the uncertainties of political life, Mr. Wong is keen on avoiding any delays in leadership renewal. The slate of new faces in the Cabinet shows a deliberate effort to provide space for potential 5G leaders to showcase their abilities and grow. While it’s still early days, the first iteration of the 5G core leadership is taking shape.
Coordinating ministers play a significant role in ensuring policies across ministries align and do not conflict. These positions are seen as stepping stones towards higher leadership roles, with Mr. Chan and Mr. Ong being tipped as potential candidates for the DPM position in the future. The creation of these roles signals a strategic move by Mr. Wong to facilitate succession planning and provide more leadership opportunities within the party.
