On the 22nd, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced a cabinet reshuffle, promoting several young political office holders and further advancing leadership renewal.
This is also the first cabinet reshuffle after a general election since Lawrence Wong took over as Prime Minister in 2024.
Xiao Zhenxiang and Liang Zhenwei, who were appointed as Acting Ministers after last year’s general election, are both promoted to full Ministers. Another political office holder, Liu Jiemin, who entered politics last year, is promoted to Acting Minister for Manpower and Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Communications and Information. Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs, is promoted to Second Minister for both ministries.
In addition, Minister for Home Affairs and Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam is appointed as Senior Minister. Former Minister and current Secretary-General of NTUC (National Trades Union Congress), Ng Chee Meng, returns to the cabinet in this round of appointments.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, unless otherwise specified, all personnel changes will take effect from the 27th.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, together with the four promoted office holders and Zaqy Mohamad—recently tasked with Muslim affairs and Senior Minister of State for Defence and Sustainability and the Environment—announced the new government line-up at a press conference at the National Press Centre.
He said: “We are continuing the process of leadership transition, with younger and less experienced members of the team taking on greater responsibilities. In addition, as there have been recent resignations, corresponding adjustments are necessary.”
Former Acting Minister in charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, resigned his political office and parliamentary seat on the 20th due to inappropriate online interactions with a woman. Earlier in May this year, Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Health Dr Koh Poh Koon announced he would step down from political office in June for family reasons, though he remains a Member of Parliament.
The public has been watching to see if the contours of the fifth-generation leadership team are taking shape. In response to a reporter’s question, Lawrence Wong said: “From these appointments, you can see that the newly joined office holders have performed well and are ready to take on more important roles. The leadership renewal is progressing smoothly. This process will continue, and, in time, more fifth-generation leaders will emerge.”
No Appointment of Second Deputy Prime Minister
Lawrence Wong did not appoint a new Deputy Prime Minister in this cabinet reshuffle. The role of Deputy Prime Minister continues to be held by Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong.
Lawrence Wong said the current leadership structure is appropriate. Although there is only one Deputy Prime Minister, there are also three Coordinating Ministers. These three were appointed after last year's general election, and together with the Deputy Prime Minister, form a very strong and seasoned leadership team.
However, he emphasized that as the situation continues to evolve, leadership renewal will also continue, and ministers will keep gaining experience and growing. In the future, they may take on even more significant roles. He will keep reviewing the present leadership structure and adjust it when appropriate.
The three Coordinating Ministers are K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for Public Service and Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing, and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung.
Continues Serving as Finance Minister
Regarding when he might step down as Finance Minister, a role he has held since 2021, Lawrence Wong said he has been looking for a suitable successor, and this is still in progress.
In this reshuffle, there will be two Second Ministers at the Ministry of Finance: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development Indranee Rajah, and Chee Hong Tat, who has been promoted to Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance.
Chee Hong Tat is one of the political office holders promoted to Minister in this round; the other two are Liang Zhenwei and Sim Ann. Liang Zhenwei will be appointed Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, as well as Second Minister for Education, while Sim Ann will take on the role of Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs. The portfolios of all three remain the same.
Overall, among 16 ministries, apart from the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the remaining ministries will continue to be managed by their current ministers.
Dr. Tan See Leng, the outgoing Manpower Minister in charge of energy and technology, will relinquish his Ministry of Manpower duties and serve as Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry). Gan Kim Yong will continue as Minister for Trade and Industry, responsible for trade matters. Liu Jiemin will replace Tan See Leng as Acting Minister for Manpower.
To reflect the importance of energy matters to Singapore’s economic competitiveness and future development, the Ministry of Trade and Industry will be renamed the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Trade Ministry) from October 1 this year.