MOF, MTI among 7 key ministries to see changes in Cabinet reshuffle

THE Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) are among seven ministries that will be helmed by a new minister in the latest Cabinet reshuffle taking place just nine months after the last general election (GE).

Lawrence Wong will relinquish his education portfolio to take over as Minister for Finance, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said during a virtual press conference on Friday.

This comes two weeks after Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced he is taking himself out of the running as Singapore's next premier while relinquishing his finance portfolio.

Mr Wong remains co-chair of Singapore's Covid-19 task force, but his co-chair Gan Kim Yong will relinquish his role as Minister for Health to be appointed Minister for Trade and Industry.

Mr Gan is replacing Chan Chun Sing, who will be the new Minister for Education.

"I hope the investors will see that we have changed from one MTI minister who has been competently discharging his responsibilities, to another MTI minister who has ample experience and whom we have every reason to expect will discharge his responsibilities equally well," said Mr Lee.

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Taking over Mr Gan as Health Minister is Ong Ye Kung, who will relinquish his transport portfolio. Mr Ong will also replace Mr Gan to become a co-chair of the Covid-19 task force.

Calling this a "more extensive reshuffle than is usual this early in the term of government", Mr Lee said: "Finance is a key ministry, so when the finance minister changes it has many repercussions."

Another reason is that he is moving the Ministers for Health, Manpower and Trade & Industry, which are frontline ministries dealing with Covid-19 and its consequences, said Mr Lee.

"I considered making these changes after the GE last year. But then we were still in the thick of Covid-19 and so I decided that we needed to let the ministers concentrate on fighting Covid-19 at that point. Now that the Covid-19 situation is more stable, although by no means over, I am able now to make the changes." 

S Iswaran, formerly the Minister for Communications and Information, will be the new Minister for Transport. Mr Iswaran will continue as Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Josephine Teo will take over from Mr Iswaran to be the new Communications and Information Minister. She will continue as Second Minister for Home Affairs, but relinquish her appointment as Minister for Manpower.

Tan See Leng, previously the Second Minister for Manpower, will now be Minister for Manpower. He will continue as the Second Minister for Trade and Industry.

These new appointments will take effect from May 15, after the next parliament sitting.

"Most of the 4G ministers have already accumulated experience in a wide range of portfolios. This round of Cabinet changes will allow them to gain new experience and exposure," said Mr Lee.

He added that they have to get to work quickly as Singapore is still in the midst of a public health and economic crisis even though its Covid-19 situation is stabler now.

"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," said Mr Lee.

"This will make the new team readier to take over from me and my older colleagues."

READ MORE:

• Lawrence Wong to take over as Finance Minister, will let go of education portfolio

• Gan Kim Yong to become Minister for Trade and Industry; Chan Chun Sing goes to MOE

• Tan See Leng becomes Manpower Minister in Cabinet reshuffle

• Heng Swee Keat no longer Singapore's next PM; to relinquish Finance portfolio at Cabinet reshuffle

• Who will be Singapore's next Minister for Finance?