Putting together a new Cabinet in an uncertain world
Is a major reshuffle still on the cards, or will continuity win out?
WHEN forming his first Cabinet a year ago, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong kept most portfolios untouched. For this new term, the question is whether he will stick to filling vacated roles and making a few consequent changes – or a more drastic reshuffle is on the cards.
When he took over the country’s top role last May, he made few changes beyond appointing Gan Kim Yong as deputy prime minister and promoting some junior officeholders. At the time, PM Wong said: “Continuity and stability are key considerations, especially as we are approaching the end of this term of government.”
All the ministers had “a full plate of work to see through”, he said. “So to avoid any disruptions, I have decided to keep them in their present roles until the end of the term.” But he added that if re-elected, he intended to rotate fourth-generation (4G) ministers to different portfolios “and give them wider exposure and experience”.
However, this was in May 2024. At the time, Singapore’s growth was strengthening and expected to improve further. The possibility of a second Trump presidency in the US was a distant threat. Since then, Donald Trump’s re-election has brought sweeping tariffs that are upending the global trading order. PM Wong has warned that there may be no going back to a pre-Trump world.
Amid such uncertainty, continuity and stability might well remain key considerations. Indeed, the importance of retaining DPM Gan – a key figure in US trade talks – was stressed repeatedly in the GE campaign.
Repeated reshuffles
Yet PM Wong has also highlighted the importance of renewal, with GE2025’s slate of new candidates containing the seeds of the fifth generation leadership.
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One might draw a parallel with the 2011 general election, in which the core of Singapore’s 4G leadership – including PM Wong – entered politics. Most took up officeholder roles in the post-election Cabinet.
Between GE2011 and GE2015, then prime minister Lee Hsien Loong reshuffled the Cabinet each year. Most changes involved the 4G officeholders, with some of them being made acting ministers in the first reshuffle in 2012.
In contrast, several third-generation leaders saw their roles solidify in that term. In the post-GE2011 Cabinet, former minister Ng Eng Hen took up the Defence portfolio, which he held until his retirement before GE2025.
One might ask how much exposure is enough for a minister, and how many ministries a career might span. Besides Defence, Ng had two other portfolios as a full minister. Former senior minister Teo Chee Hean, who also retired before GE2025, helmed four ministries in his career.
The post-election Cabinet may thus see some senior 4G members staying put in their third portfolio – or moving into their fourth to fill the role of defence minister. DPM Gan has helmed three different ministries thus far: Manpower, Health as well as Trade and Industry. Similarly, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung previously headed Transport and Education, while Education Minister Chan Chun Sing previously helmed the Ministry of Trade and Industry, as well as Social and Family Development. Major portfolio swaps are more likely for Cabinet members who are only on their first or second full ministerial position, such as Desmond Lee or Chee Hong Tat.
This term of government may be one for continuity nearer the top, as 4G leaders mature, and rotations in other ministries as the fifth generation leadership begins to take shape.
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