New and seasoned hands at the helm to steer ship of state

IN what has been one of the most sweeping changes in Singapore's Cabinet in recent years, all of the 16 ministries bar one will see changes. They are indeed positive moves. There is a significant improvement in terms of diversity with three full-time women ministers - Grace Fu (Culture, Community and Youth), Josephine Teo (Manpower) and Indranee Rajah (Minister in the Prime Minister's Office).

There is also a useful dose of private sector experience from the entry of four first-time office holders - Tan Wu Meng, Edwin Tong, Sun Xueling and Zaqy Mohamad.

Such changes bring a welcome breadth and diversity to the Cabinet. But the changes announced on Tuesday also signal a shift towards the passing of the baton. Two-thirds of the ministries will now be helmed by fourth-generation ministers.