Cabinet reshuffle: Chan Chun Sing, Lawrence Wong and Ong Ye Kung get new portfolios; no new DPM
- 3 years ago
SINGAPORE: The three 4G ministers thought of as frontrunners to be Singapore's next Prime Minister have all been given new portfolios, in the latest Cabinet reshuffle announced on Friday (Apr 23).
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing will become Education Minister, taking over from Mr Lawrence Wong, who becomes Finance Minister. Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung will be the next Health Minister, replacing Mr Gan Kim Yong, who takes over as Trade and Industry Minister.
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, widely thought to be the next Prime Minister, had announced earlier this month that he is stepping aside as a 4G leader for a younger person to become the future Prime Minister.
Mr Heng will continue as Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies. He will relinquish his portfolio as Finance Minister.
A new Deputy Prime Minister was not announced as part of the reshuffle.
At a press conference announcing Mr Heng's decision earlier this month, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong did not rule out the possibility of a 4G minister being appointed as an additional Deputy Prime Minister to gain experience.
Following Mr Heng's announcement, political observers touted Mr Chan, Mr Wong and Mr Ong as possible candidates for the role of Prime Minister in the future.
Mr Lee said at a press conference on Friday that this round of Cabinet changes will allow the 4G ministers to gain new experience and exposure.
"Most of the 4G ministers have already accumulated experience in a wide range of portfolios," he said.
However, Mr Lee said they have to "get to work quickly", because although Singapore's COVID-19 situation is more stable now, the country is still in the midst of a public health and economic crisis.
"The reshuffle is also an opportunity for them to work together in new capacities, so that they can understand each other better, and strengthen their cohesion as a team," he added.
"This will make the new team readier to take over from me and my older colleagues."
Source: CNA
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