Continuity and change as experienced and fresh faces come together in new Cabinet

Renewal vital but foremost priority is to secure Singapore's position in a changed world

- Lim Yan Liang

The biggest surprise of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's announcement of his new Cabinet on May 21 was, without doubt, his decision not to appoint a second deputy prime minister—noteworthy since Singapore has by custom had two DPMs since the 1980s.

Alongside the retention of experienced ministers in core portfolios such as finance, home affairs, foreign affairs and trade and industry, it would at first blush look like leadership renewal this time has mainly been at more junior levels, or due to gaps left by departing heavyweight ministers Mr Teo Chee Hean, Mr Heng Swee Keat and Dr Ng Eng Hen.

For instance, Dr Ng's retirement is the basis for four of the seven changes being made at the minister level, with Mr Chan Chun Sing taking over as Minister for Defence. In turn, the Education portfolio will be taken up by Mr Desmond Lee, which opens National Development to be helmed by Mr Chee Hong Tat, who was in charge of Transport. Political newcomer Jeffrey Siow is slated to take on the Transport portfolio as Acting Minister.

Setting aside the question of a second DPM for the moment, this continuity belies the breadth of changes being made to the PAP's governing team, which will see leadership overhauls across every ministry. Nine new office-holders were appointed on May 21—the highest in recent history—comprising seven new MPs and two promotions from the backbench.

In explaining how he arrived at his Cabinet line-up, PM Wong said a team that comprises both experienced hands and younger ministers would be the strongest one for Singapore as it enters a new phase marked by greater uncertainty.

A world with rising trade barriers and sharper competition necessitates having old hands at the ministries leading Singapore's economic agenda, he said. These include the Ministry of Finance, which remains under PM Wong, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), under Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.