PM Lee to become senior minister, major Cabinet changes not likely

DPM Wong to name new Cabinet line-up a few days before he is sworn in as PM

- Linette LaiAssistant and Tham Yuen-CSenior

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will take on the role of senior minister in the new Cabinet, which is not likely to have major changes, said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

DPM Wong will announce the make-up of his new Cabinet at a press conference a few days before he is sworn in as Singapore's fourth prime minister on May 15.

He told reporters on April 16 that he expects existing Cabinet ministers to remain in their current portfolios, although there may be "marginal adjustments here and there". Those continuing in their roles include Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is Coordinating Minister for National Security.

Bigger Cabinet changes are likely to take place only after the next general election, he said, adding that he is already on the lookout for new candidates - especially those with the potential to hold political office.

"Our system works on the basis of continuity and progressive change," DPM Wong said in explaining his decision.

"It has never been the case that when there is a leadership transition, all the older ministers stepped down at the same time.

Instead, they continued to contribute in different ways, while making room for the younger ones to step up. I will adopt the same approach when I take over." Given that some ministers have been appointed to their current portfolios fairly recently, there is no reason to move them, he added.