9 new office-holders, including David Neo and Jeffrey Siow as acting ministers
All ministries to see at least one change in personnel; six to be led by new ministers
By Goh Yan Han, The Straits Times, 22 May 2025
A core team of four senior leaders and the appointment of two new and younger ministers are part of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s new Cabinet “to take Singapore forward in these uncertain and turbulent times”, he said.
On May 21, PM Wong announced his Cabinet for the new term of government, about two weeks after he received a strong mandate from Singaporeans at the polls.
“With your strong support, I have done my utmost to assemble the strongest team I could for Singapore,” he said at a press conference at the National Press Centre.
Three existing ministers, Mr K. Shanmugam, Mr Chan Chun Sing and Mr Ong Ye Kung, will be taking on coordinating minister roles, while Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong will remain as PM Wong’s No. 2 – making up the team of four senior leaders.
Two new MPs and former public servants, Mr David Neo and Mr Jeffrey Siow, have been appointed as acting ministers.
This is PM Wong’s first Cabinet reshuffle after a general election. He had led his PAP team to win 65.57 per cent of the nationwide vote share at the polls on May 3. PM Wong had made few changes in his first reshuffle in May 2024 after taking on the role of head of government.
The latest changes largely involve the younger and newer office-holders and the social and security portfolios, while the economic portfolios were mostly kept unchanged. All ministries saw at least one change in personnel.
Overall, four existing office-holders will be promoted: Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, Mr Murali Pillai, Ms Sun Xueling and Mr Baey Yam Keng.
Nine new office-holders will be appointed: Mr Neo, Mr Siow, Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Ms Jasmin Lau, Mr Goh Pei Ming, Mr Desmond Choo, Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Ms Goh Hanyan and Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi.
Six office-holders retired from Cabinet and politics: Mr Heng Swee Keat, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Dr Ng Eng Hen, Dr Maliki Osman, Mr Heng Chee How and Dr Amy Khor.
PM Wong said that most of the ministers who lead Singapore’s economic agenda will be kept in their current roles during this critical period.
“We are operating in a changed world with rising trade barriers, sharper competition and greater uncertainty, and we need experienced hands at the helm,” he said. He will continue to helm the Finance Ministry.
The new Cabinet changes will be effective from May 23, when most of the new political office-holders will be sworn in.
There will be only one deputy prime minister in this Cabinet. This departs from tradition, as PM Wong’s predecessors each had two after their first elections as prime minister.
Asked about this, PM Wong said: “For now, I have a solid team behind me. Gan Kim Yong is my deputy prime minister, and I’ve appointed three coordinating ministers. So that’s four senior leaders in my Cabinet.
“They are part of the core team to assist me, to advise me, and also to provide guidance and mentorship to the new and younger ministers.”
DPM Gan will be Acting Prime Minister in his absence, PM Wong added. If both men are not around, one of the coordinating ministers will take that role.
“I think that’s a good configuration for now, and of course, along the way, I may make further adjustments where needed,” said PM Wong.
His Cabinet’s first priority will be to secure Singapore’s position in the new global environment and to advance the nation’s interests overseas.
It will also steer Singapore through economic uncertainties and changes, he said.
“It’s with this in mind that... I’ve kept most of the experienced ministers in the core areas like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the economic ministries, but where there are gaps, then obviously I will have to field and move ministers around,” he said.
Key changes to the Cabinet
The three coordinating ministers will look after three areas – national security, public services and social policies.
Mr Shanmugam will take on the national security portfolio that was previously helmed by Senior Minister Teo.
Mr Shanmugam will also remain Minister for Home Affairs but relinquish his role as Minister for Law to Mr Edwin Tong, who is currently Second Minister for Law.
Mr Chan will look after public services, a new portfolio created in this reshuffle that will look at bringing together public services in a more accessible and integrated manner. This includes coordinating a wide range of different amenities and facilities in the new housing estates.
Mr Chan will also take on the role of Minister for Defence, filling the gap left by the retired Dr Ng. He will relinquish his education portfolio.
Mr Ong will be the one to coordinate and oversee efforts in reviewing and updating social policies.
The role was last held by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was then senior minister.
Mr Ong will continue as Minister for Health, as per his request to oversee the major initiatives started in the last term such as Healthier SG and Age Well SG, said PM Wong.
Among the economic portfolios, DPM Gan will continue as Minister for Trade and Industry, supported by Ms Grace Fu, who will continue as Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations on top of her sustainability and environment portfolio.
Dr Tan See Leng, who is currently Second Minister at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, will be appointed to a new role – Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology. He will remain as Minister for Manpower.
PM Wong said science and technology is a key driver of growth while energy, especially clean energy, will be an important part of this government’s agenda.
Mrs Josephine Teo will continue as Minister for Digital Development and Information and as Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation initiative.
Newly elected Jalan Kayu MP Ng Chee Meng, who was previously a minister before he lost in the 2020 General Election, had requested not to be offered a position in government to focus on his work as secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress and in Jalan Kayu.
PM Wong said on May 21 that the NTUC secretary-general has traditionally held a position in the Cabinet, but he respected Mr Ng’s wishes.
“But to be clear, this is a temporary arrangement, and I look forward to having the labour chief being part of the Cabinet before too long,” he said.
Across the security portfolios, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan will continue as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
While Mr Shanmugam continues at the Home Affairs Ministry, Mr Tong will be appointed second minister, allowing him to gain experience and “prepare him to assume greater responsibilities in due course”, said PM Wong.
In the social portfolios, Mr Desmond Lee will assume the role of Minister for Education, relinquishing his national development portfolio. He will continue as Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration.
The newly elected Mr Neo, a former chief of army, will be Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, taking over from Mr Tong. Mr Neo will also be Senior Minister of State for Education.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli will continue as Minister for Social and Family Development, but relinquish his appointment as Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.
PM Wong said he had discussed it with Mr Masagos and agreed that it was time for a new generation of leaders to take over the portfolio.
Prof Faishal, who is a minister of state, will be promoted to senior minister of state and assume the role of Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.
Mr Chee Hong Tat will take over as Minister for National Development.
His Transport Ministry portfolio will be covered by new MP Mr Siow, who will be acting minister. Mr Siow will also be Senior Minister of State for Finance.
Promotions and new political office-holders
There are four promotions among existing office-holders.
Prof Faishal, Mr Murali and Ms Sun will be promoted to senior ministers of state. They are now ministers of state.
Mr Baey, who is a senior parliamentary secretary, will be minister of state. He will also take on the role of Mayor for the North East District.
Among the nine new political office-holders, seven are newly elected MPs.
Two are backbenchers – third-term MP Mr Choo will be Minister of State for Defence, and second-term MP Mr Zhulkarnain will be Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development from Feb 1, 2026.
Mr Neo and Mr Siow have been given the most senior appointments among the new faces as acting ministers and senior ministers of state.
Mr Dinesh, former chief of the Agency for Integrated Care, will be Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth as well as for Manpower.
He will also take on the role of Mayor for the South East District that was previously held by Mr Fahmi Aliman, who did not stand for re-election.
Ms Lau, who was deputy secretary of policy at the Health Ministry, will be Minister of State for Digital Development and Information as well as Education.
Mr Goh, former chief of staff – joint staff in the Singapore Armed Forces, will be Minister of State for Home Affairs as well as Social and Family Development.
Ms Goh, a former ministry director, will be Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth as well as Sustainability and the Environment.
Dr Syed Harun, a psychiatrist, will be Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and for National Development. He will assume his roles from Oct 1, 2025.
The latest reshuffle will see new office-holders across all ministries.
“I’m doing this to give younger leaders more experience and exposure across different areas of government so as to prepare them for greater responsibilities in the future,” said PM Wong.
The team is also slightly bigger than before as it is in transition, he said. There are 40 political office-holders, up from 37 previously.
PM Wong said he expects to make further adjustments in one or two years, when more of the junior office-holders are ready to step up.
He thanked the retiring office-holders for their years of contribution and service.
While much has been said already about the four retiring ministers, PM Wong highlighted Mr Heng Chee How and Dr Khor, who had both been mayors and held positions as minister of state and senior minister of state across different ministries. Mr Heng had also contributed to the NTUC.
“They never sought credit or fanfare... A big thank you to Chee How and Amy,” he said.
In a Facebook post, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he would continue to support PM Wong in his role and was confident that Singapore would grow from strength to strength under his leadership.
“There is a good balance of experience and fresh perspectives, and progress in leadership renewal,” he said of the new Cabinet line-up.
Cabinet reshuffle: Jeffrey Siow, David Neo to be acting ministers; 7 new MPs to take political office
By Ng Wei Kai, The Straits Times, 22 May 2025
Former top public servants Jeffrey Siow and David Neo will enter the Cabinet as acting ministers among seven new MPs taking political office in a Cabinet reshuffle announced on May 21.
Mr Siow, 46, a former permanent secretary, will be Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance, while Mr Neo, 47, a former army chief, will be Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced these changes at a press conference on May 21.
PM Wong said he is appointing nine new office-holders in total, comprising the seven new MPs and two promoted from the backbench – Mr Desmond Choo, 47, and Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, 44.
He said: “That’s one of the highest in recent history, and it’s because of the importance of leadership renewal.”
Three new MPs – Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, 50, Ms Jasmin Lau, 42, and Mr Goh Pei Ming, 43 – will become ministers of state. They, along with Mr Siow and Mr Neo, will be sworn into office on May 23.
Another two will be made senior parliamentary secretaries: Ms Goh Hanyan, 39, and Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, 40. They will be sworn in later, with Dr Syed Harun taking office from Oct 1.
Mr Dinesh, former chief of the Agency for Integrated Care and a former brigadier-general in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), will join the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
He will also be appointed Mayor of South East District, replacing Mr Fahmi Aliman, who did not contest the recent general election.
Mr Dinesh said he was honoured to receive his three appointments, and that he hopes to be able to shape social policies to better serve Singaporeans, given his experience in community work.
Ms Lau, a former ministry deputy secretary, will join the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and the Ministry of Education (MOE).
She will also take charge of the Government Technology Agency, a statutory board responsible for the Government’s digital services.
Former SAF chief of staff – joint staff Goh Pei Ming will be minister of state at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
Ms Goh Hanyan, formerly a director at MDDI, will be appointed to two ministries: MCCY and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE).
Ms Goh told The Straits Times: “I hope to contribute meaningfully and to learn from those around me as we work together to build a better future for Singapore.”
Dr Syed Harun, a former Nominated MP, will join MOE and the Ministry of National Development (MND).
All seven were newly elected on May 3 and, during the hustings, had been tipped for political office by senior PAP leaders, including PM Wong.
Leaders from the public service who entered politics have historically taken political office quickly after being elected.
They include PM Wong, who was appointed Minister of State for Education and Defence at the first Cabinet reshuffle after being elected in 2011. He had resigned as chief of the Energy Market Authority before standing for election.
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, also a former army chief, was appointed Acting Minister at the then Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports after being elected in 2011.
Mr Neo is succeeding Mr Edwin Tong, who is moving to head the Ministry of Law.
PM Wong said: “David has had experience previously helming the Silver Generation Office, so he knows what it takes to build strong community bonds.”
Mr Neo handed over the reins as army chief on March 21. He joined the Singapore Army in 1996 and helmed the service from March 2022.
The Tampines GRC MP was also programme director of the Pioneer Generation Office and the founding group chief of the Silver Generation Office under the Agency for Integrated Care, which coordinates the delivery of aged care services.
Mr Siow, who is an MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC, will take over from Mr Chee Hong Tat at the Ministry of Transport. Mr Chee is moving to helm the MND. Mr Siow was previously second permanent secretary at MOM and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. He has held various senior roles in the public service over his career, including managing director of statutory board Enterprise Singapore and principal private secretary to Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong when he was prime minister.
PM Wong said: “He is familiar with land transport policies from his past experience as a civil servant. Of course, there’s much more to be done as a minister, he will be stretched and tested, but I’m confident he will be able to step up in this round.”
PM Wong added that the pair were appointed acting ministers after an assessment of their abilities and potential.
Explaining the appointments, PM Wong said: “It’s really on the basis of having worked with them closely, feedback from different parties who have worked with them, interacted with them, and our assessment of their abilities and potential.”
Mr Siow told ST that he is honoured by his appointments and said he is looking forward to playing his part in the Cabinet to lead the Government in the coming years, while Mr Neo said he looks forward to working closely with all stakeholders – in the arts, in sports, in the community and with youth – to nurture a caring and cohesive Singapore.
PM Wong said the others coming in at a junior level also have the potential to do more. “Hopefully, they will develop, grow, and they will be able to take on larger responsibilities in due course.”
The next generation
With the latest Cabinet changes, Singapore is starting to see “the outlines of the next-generation team”, PM Wong said.
He hopes that over time, younger office-holders will step up, he said.
He said: “The ones who do well and are able to take on more responsibilities, I would want them to do so, and maybe even amongst those whom I have not brought in this time around – existing backbenchers and other MPs whom I have not brought in this time round – there may be a chance for them to come in later.”
With this reshuffle, all ministries will have new office-holders, he added. “I’m doing this to give younger leaders more experience and exposure across different areas of government so as to prepare them for greater responsibilities in the future,” he said.
PM Wong added that he expects to make further adjustments in one or two years when more junior office-holders are “ready to step up”.
Ms Lau, who spoke at the press conference on behalf of the new political office-holders, said the group is grateful for the trust placed in them by senior leaders.
She added that the group “fully trusts” the deployments PM Wong and other leaders have made.
She said: “It is a long game. It is for the long haul, and so over time, we must remain committed and flexible in terms of where we are sent to and the work that we do now.”
The group will “hit the ground running” after being sworn in, and there is much to learn, said Ms Lau, who is an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC.
Many have been put into portfolios different from their past work, the former career civil servant said. Ms Lau spent most of her career in healthcare and was most recently deputy secretary (policy) at the Ministry of Health before resigning early in 2025 ahead of the election.
She said: “We have to understand how policies have evolved over time to where they are, and we must also learn the impact of our work on the stakeholders in our different areas.
“So no time to waste there in terms of picking up and learning the ropes.”
But at the same time, the group is aware that there is no need for haste, and they must also be patient in the changes that they want to bring about, she added.
She said: “We do have the energy to contribute, but we must also know that any work that we do must be considered carefully, and we must be quite clear about the purpose of the work that we do.
“On behalf of all the new political office-holders, we look forward to the work ahead.”
DPM Gan, three coordinating ministers to form core of PM Wong’s Cabinet
By Wong Pei Ting, The Straits Times, 22 May 2025
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and the three new coordinating ministers in his Cabinet will form a core team to assist and advise him, as well as provide guidance and mentorship to younger ministers.
The three ministers who will be appointed coordinating ministers are Mr K. Shanmugam, who will be Coordinating Minister for National Security; Mr Chan Chun Sing, who will be Coordinating Minister for Public Services; and Mr Ong Ye Kung, who will be Coordinating Minister for Social Policies.
DPM Gan will be Acting Prime Minister in PM Wong’s absence. In the event that neither of them are around, one of the three coordinating ministers will be appointed, said PM Wong on May 21 at a press conference to announce his new Cabinet line-up.
There have typically been two deputy prime ministers in the Cabinet.
Asked why he did not appoint one of the fourth-generation leaders as deputy prime minister, PM Wong said having these four senior leaders in his team is “a good arrangement for now”.
“They are key ministers who will help me, assist me in the work, and they will also advise, guide the younger ministers,” he added.
“Along the way, there may be changes, but as we start this new term, I am happy with this configuration.”
Mr Chan will be appointed Defence Minister and will relinquish his role as Education Minister, besides taking on his coordinating minister role. He continues as Minister-in-charge of the Public Service, a role he has held since 2018.
Mr Shanmugam will remain Minister for Home Affairs and relinquish his Law Ministry portfolio to Mr Edwin Tong.
Mr Ong will stay on as Health Minister and Minister-in-charge of Ageing Issues.
Bringing together different government services
Of the three coordinating minister roles, Mr Chan’s public services portfolio is new.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam was Coordinating Minister for Social Policies between 2015 and 2023, while Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is retiring after 33 years in politics, has been Coordinating Minister for National Security since 2011.
Asked what Mr Chan’s role as Coordinating Minister for Public Services entails, PM Wong said the role is renamed from the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure portfolio previously held by former transport minister Khaw Boon Wan to give it a “new focus and priority”.
That role entailed strengthening internal coordination within the Government for urban planning and major infrastructure projects, such as housing and rail lines.
PM Wong said he decided on the new role, as he saw two areas for improvement that are “more about public services than large-scale infrastructure planning”.
The first pertains to last-mile public services, or “how we bring together a whole range of different government services in order to better service residents and Singaporeans”.
PM Wong said the introduction of the ServiceSG one-stop platform for citizens to access government services is one improvement made under this scope, but more can be done.
The second area is in coordinating and implementing amenities, facilities and services for newer residential estates.
“It’s not easy, because you get the buildings and the housing delivered already, but sometimes, the bus services are not there, the amenities are not all ready, so how can we put all of that and roll them out in a more coordinated and timely fashion?” PM Wong said.
Mr Chan said the new focus under his role also encompasses the execution and planning of digital services beyond physical ones.
This entails putting together new processes to transform the way public service can be delivered, he noted.
There is also a forward planning element to plan upfront the way the Government builds its digital services infrastructure, to “minimise the downstream remediation that we may need to do”, he said.
“The better we do with upfront planning, the less we need to do downstream,” he added.
Asked about helming the Defence Ministry, Mr Chan said Singapore will need to evolve new capabilities to be prepared for new scenarios in a changed world.
This entails re-examining some fundamental assumptions on the kind of environment the country will face in the coming years, and asking what new capabilities must be built ahead of time “so that our defence force can remain ready, relevant and resilient”, added Mr Chan, who was Chief of Army before entering politics in 2011.
Another newly created role in this round of Cabinet changes is Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology under the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Dr Tan See Leng, who will continue as Manpower Minister, will take on this role. He is currently also Second Minister for Trade and Industry.
PM Wong said the new role covers key areas for Singapore’s economy. Science and technology are key drivers of growth, while energy – especially clean energy – will be an important part of his Government’s agenda, he added.
With the new role, the Government will consider how it can better organise itself to accelerate its transition to clean energy, he added.
Preparing for an ageing Singapore
At the press conference, Mr Ong also set out his priorities for his Coordinating Minister for Social Policies role.
They include carrying on the work of Forward Singapore, a nationwide engagement exercise headed by PM Wong that has involved more than 200,000 Singaporeans since it kicked off in June 2022.
Mr Ong will constantly review Singapore’s policies amid the changing economic environment to ensure that the needs of the population are met.
“As the PM said, at every stage of life, and every age, there should be a social safety net to guide us through life. We need to constantly review our policies, to refresh, update those policies, and strengthen our social compact,” he said.
Another priority is to ensure that Singaporeans from “very vulnerable backgrounds” also get a chance to excel.
Mr Ong said Singapore’s inclusive economic model and system of meritocracy cannot be taken for granted and have to “constantly evolve”.
“So long as someone is prepared to work hard, prepared to seize opportunities, we must continue that spirit of social mobility. No matter how hard your background is in Singapore, you must be able to succeed,” he said.
Tackling an ageing population is another priority, with it being “the single largest social development (Singapore) will see in the next decade”, Mr Ong added.
This was why he had requested to continue as Health Minister, he said.
“We need to adapt to it in the way we learn, we work, we play or live through our silver years. So I think that still requires a lot of work.”
On Mr Shanmugam’s appointment as Coordinating Minister for National Security, PM Wong said it is a “critical role with far-reaching responsibilities”.
Security threats are constantly evolving, and safeguarding Singapore’s safety and survival is essential, he noted.
“I can think of no one better than Shanmugam to take over from Teo Chee Hean for this far-reaching function of national security,” PM Wong said.
5 key takeaways from PM Lawrence Wong’s Cabinet reshuffle
By Hariz Baharudin, The Straits Times, 22 May 2025
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on May 21 unveiled his refreshed Cabinet after the 2025 General Election.
He will appoint three new coordinating ministers who, along with Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, will form the core of his team.
They are: Mr K. Shanmugam, who will be Coordinating Minister for National Security; Mr Chan Chun Sing, who will be Coordinating Minister for Public Services; and Mr Ong Ye Kung, who will be Coordinating Minister for Social Policies.
With this reshuffle, all ministries will have new office-holders, PM Wong noted at a press conference.
Here are five key highlights from the reshuffle:
1. New office-holders in every ministry
PM Wong announced that every ministry will see changes in the latest Cabinet reshuffle, as part of efforts to give political office-holders broader exposure and opportunities to learn.
He noted that rotating ministers across portfolios allows them to be tested in different domains and to better understand the challenges facing Singapore.
Six out of 15 ministries will be helmed by new ministers.
Among the changes, Mr Edwin Tong will take over as Minister for Law, Mr Chee Hong Tat will lead the Ministry of National Development, Mr Chan Chun Sing will helm the Ministry of Defence, and Mr Desmond Lee will be appointed Minister for Education.
The reshuffle will also introduce new political office-holders into key roles.
Former permanent secretary Jeffrey Siow, a newly elected MP, will be appointed Acting Minister for Transport. One of the roles Mr Siow held during his public service career was director for land transport at the Transport Ministry.
Another newcomer, former Chief of Army David Neo, will take on the role of Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth. Mr Neo had previously helmed the Silver Generation Office under the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC).
2. Three new coordinating ministers
PM Wong has appointed three new coordinating ministers – Mr Shanmugam, Mr Chan and Mr Ong.
Along with DPM Gan, these senior leaders will form the core team to assist and advise PM Wong, as well as provide guidance and mentorship to the new and younger ministers.
Among the quartet, DPM Gan will serve as Acting Prime Minister in PM Wong’s absence.
However, if both PM Wong and DPM Gan are unavailable, one of the three coordinating ministers will assume the role.
There have typically been two deputy prime ministers in the Cabinet.
Asked why he did not appoint one of the fourth-generation leaders as a DPM, PM Wong said having these four senior leaders in his team is “a good arrangement for now”.
“Along the way, there may be changes, but as we start this new term, I am happy with this configuration,” he added.
3. New faces stepping up
The new Cabinet will see several new faces stepping up.
In addition to their acting minister roles, Mr Siow will also serve as Senior Minister of State for Finance, while Mr Neo will be Senior Minister of State for Education.
Besides the two, former brigadier-general and chief of staff of Singapore Armed Forces Goh Pei Ming will be appointed Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Home Affairs.
Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, who was chief executive of AIC, will be appointed Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Manpower. He will also serve as a Mayor for the South East District.
Former Health Ministry deputy secretary Jasmin Lau will be appointed Minister of State for Education and Digital Development and Information.
Ms Goh Hanyan, another former senior civil servant, will take on the role of Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment, as well as Culture, Community and Youth.
Psychiatrist and former Nominated MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi will be appointed Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and Education.
4. No labour chief in Cabinet a ‘temporary arrangement’
Labour chief Ng Chee Meng will not be part of the new Cabinet, as he had asked to focus on his duties at the National Trades Union Congress and his constituency work in Jalan Kayu, said PM Wong.
PM Wong added that he respected Mr Ng’s decision, but described it as a temporary arrangement.
“I look forward to having the labour chief being part of the Cabinet before too long,” he said.
Mr Ng, who has served as NTUC secretary-general since 2018, is the first labour chief in decades to not hold a Cabinet position. The former Cabinet minister had contested Sengkang GRC in the 2020 General Election and lost.
On May 6, Mr Ng said he had asked not to be given a government post following the general election. This came after renewed public criticism over a 2017 dialogue he attended while helming the Ministry of Education, and a recently resurfaced photo showing him at a dinner with a man later convicted of money laundering.
PM Wong noted that the NTUC secretary-general has traditionally held a position in Cabinet. “I value this link. I know the NTUC values it too,” he added.
In the meantime, the Government will continue working closely with NTUC and ensure that the labour movement’s views and the interests of workers are fully considered in policymaking.
5. New Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs
Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim will be promoted to Senior Minister of State and appointed Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.
Prof Faishal will take over the Muslim Affairs portfolio from Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli.
PM Wong said Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad will take over the chairmanship of self-help group Mendaki. He is currently deputy chairman.
The Prime Minister said he had discussed the leadership transition with Mr Masagos, who has helmed the portfolio for seven years.
They agreed that it was time to refresh the Malay/Muslim leadership and give new and younger office-holders the opportunity to step up, engage the community, and work with them to achieve shared goals.
After consultations with the Cabinet and Mr Masagos, it was agreed that Prof Faishal would be the best person to take over as Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.
PM Wong noted that Prof Faishal will be supported by others in the leadership team, including new Malay/Muslim political office-holders such as Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, who will be Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development, and Dr Syed Harun.
No sharp turns in PM Wong’s first post-election Cabinet, but leadership shifts afoot: Analysts
By Wong Pei Ting and Goh Yan Han, The Straits Times, 22 May 2025
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s choice to have only one deputy prime minister and three coordinating ministers in the latest Cabinet changes creates a broader senior leadership team, said political observers.
They added that it leaves open the possibility for one of the fourth-generation ministers to be appointed as deputy prime minister in a future reshuffle, with Mr Chan Chun Sing and Mr Ong Ye Kung the front runners, having been appointed coordinating ministers in this round.
PM Wong announced his new post-election Cabinet on May 21, with a mix of experienced hands at the helm for key economic and external-facing portfolios amid the global uncertainty, as well as the injection of new blood to ensure renewal.
Among the more significant changes was the appointment of Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam as Coordinating Minister for National Security, as well as Mr Chan as Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Mr Ong as Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, who will boost what PM Wong described as his “core team”, which also includes Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.
While it was widely expected that he would appoint a second deputy prime minister as has been the case for many of the previous terms of government, PM Wong did not do so.
Professor Terence Ho, an adjunct associate professor in practice at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said this can be seen as “an innovation to create a broader senior leadership team”.
Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) Social Lab research fellow Teo Kay Key, describing it as a “break from typical expectations”, said that with policies being more multifaceted now, having coordinating ministers can help to prevent overlaps or contradictions.
“In this sense, they might be more helpful to the overall operation of the Government compared to one more DPM, who would be playing more of a role to assist the PM in determining the overall direction of the country or overarching national policies,” she said.
Meanwhile, IPS senior research fellow Gillian Koh said the coordinating minister appointments will help to nurture the younger leaders and provide them the “pressure” to think holistically.
Sharing her sentiment was independent political observer Felix Tan, who saw it as a test for Mr Chan and Mr Ong, who are covering critical areas.
Mr Chan is also taking on another new role as Defence Minister and relinquishing his Education Ministry portfolio, while Mr Ong will retain his Health Ministry portfolio.
PM Wong does not appear to be in a hurry to appoint a peer as his deputy, said Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan.
“The two 4G coordinating ministers may well be the front runners to be made DPM perhaps in a mid-term reshuffle,” he said.
Balancing renewal and continuity
Analysts also said PM Wong’s Cabinet choices signal his priorities in both continuity and renewal, with the ruling PAP’s 4G leadership now clearly in the driver’s seat.
Noting that only a handful of the 3G leaders remained to lend their experience and expertise, Prof Ho said the retirement of several party stalwarts in the recent election signals confidence that the team of younger leaders “is ready to steer the country forward”.
Where PM Wong has opted for continuity are in key portfolios such as foreign affairs, trade and industry and manpower, and this is in recognition of the need for stability as Singapore grapples with an uncertain geopolitical environment, he pointed out.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan will continue as Minister of Foreign Affairs, DPM Gan as Minister for Trade and Industry, and Dr Tan See Leng as Manpower Minister.
Ms Nydia Ngiow, managing director at policy advisory firm BowerGroupAsia’s Singapore office, noted that outside of Mr Chan’s appointment as defence minister, the 3G leaders still hold the “more heavyweight” portfolios of home affairs and foreign affairs.
Mr Shanmugam and Dr Balakrishnan have both held these portfolios since 2015.
She added that the Cabinet line-up was a “very safe” one that businesses would be happy with, since most of their key stakeholders will remain the same.
This was reflected in a statement from the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry on the Cabinet changes, which said it was “heartened” that PM Wong and DPM Gan will keep their finance and trade and industry portfolios.
“Their steady stewardship and deep understanding of Singapore’s economic and financial landscape provide the foundation for continued policy continuity and effective navigation of the rapidly changing global environment,” it said.
Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior international affairs analyst at Solaris Strategies Singapore, said the incremental changes to PM Wong’s Cabinet reveal a priority for him to “put together a functioning Cabinet”.
He cited the appointment of Mr Jeffrey Siow as Acting Transport Minister as an example, noting that Mr Siow was a senior civil servant with experience helming ministries as a permanent secretary and “knows how policy is made”.
Mr Siow was most recently the second permanent secretary at the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, before he resigned on April 2 to run in the recently concluded general election. He was also principal private secretary to then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong from 2017 to 2021.
Given the number of leaders placed in positions with enlarged responsibilities, such as the coordinating ministers, this round of changes has surely “set the tone” for future Cabinets and expectations for those in political office, said Dr Mustafa.
Building blocks of the 5G
With the 4G transition almost complete, some of the new political office-holders may also be the foundational pieces of the 5G leadership, said some analysts.
PM Wong appointed nine new political office-holders, of which seven were newly elected at the recent polls.
Among the appointees were Mr David Neo and Mr Siow, who will both be acting ministers and senior ministers of state. The rest were given a mix of roles as ministers of state and senior parliamentary secretaries.
PM Wong said the new appointees reflect the importance he had placed on leadership renewal. “I think we are starting to see the outlines of the next-generation team, and hopefully over time – this is just the beginning of the term – … you can see the younger ones stepping up,” he said. The next-generation team to take Singapore forward may also include those who were not brought in in this round, he added.
IPS’ Dr Teo said the newcomers to the Cabinet, having been appointed so early in their political career, are likely the first batch to be considered for potential 5G leadership.
However, she noted that whether they end up in future leadership positions will depend on their performance, and not just their public service credentials.
Expectations are high for Mr Siow and Mr Neo, said Prof Eugene Tan. The two acting ministers are currently defined by their prior public sector performance and attainments, but “will have to show their worth as politicians and political leaders”, he added.
Dr Tan Ern Ser, adjunct principal research fellow at IPS’ Social Lab, added that some in the previous batches, such as Mr Desmond Lee, 48, who will head the Education Ministry after the reshuffle, could be leading the 5G pack.
“The younger ones will have the opportunity to gain experience and eventually be appointed to offices where they best fit,” he added.
Swearing-in ceremony of Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his Cabinet at the Istana on 23 May 2025
Top priority for new Govt is securing an assured place for Singapore in a changed world: PM Lawrence Wong
The conditions that once underpinned success are shifting, he says at swearing-in
By Goh Yan Han, The Straits Times, 24 May 2025
The new Government’s first priority is to secure for Singapore an assured place in a changed world, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
With major world powers reassessing strategies and shifting positions to gain the upper hand, competition is intensifying, and smaller nations risk being caught in the crossfire, or being cut out of the conversation altogether, he warned.
“Singapore will not stand still. We cannot afford to be passive. We must be clear-eyed, proactive and adapt nimbly to the shifting dynamics,” he said on May 23, at the swearing-in ceremony of his new Cabinet at the Istana.
In a world that is more uncertain and unpredictable than before, the conditions that once underpinned success are shifting, he said.
“The rules-based international order, which formed the foundation for peace, security and free trade, is fraying.
“Multilateral cooperation is giving way to a tangle of bilateral and transactional deals, where might often makes right.”
He added: “Our goal is not just to navigate this uncertain world, but to help shape it for the better – by working with like-minded partners, upholding shared principles and values, so that small nations too have a place under the sun.”
This will be done on several fronts.
The Government will deepen Singapore’s relations with the major powers, especially the United States and China, he said.
“We will stay friends with both, without being caught in their rivalry. We will engage openly and honestly with each, in a consistent and principled manner.
“Where our interests align, we will work with them. Where they do not, we will stand firm and protect Singapore’s security and sovereignty.”
The Republic will also strengthen its ties with friends near and far, while seeking new ones in parts of the world such as Africa and South America where it does not yet have much presence, PM Wong added.
“In a world of shifting alliances, we will be a steady and constructive partner – one willing and able to contribute to peace and stability, to advance dialogue and fraternity, and support a rules-based global order.”
The Government will also have to steer the economy through the challenges ahead, and update its economic strategies for the new landscape.
These will include creating good jobs and remaining competitive, as well as helping businesses and households.
The Government will work with tripartite partners to develop a new economic blueprint for the next phase, said PM Wong.
“We will work closely with NTUC to support our workers and job seekers, so that every Singaporean who is prepared to work is able to secure a job and progress in their careers,” he added.
In addition, the Government will press on with the Forward Singapore agenda, to refresh and strengthen the social compact.
Beyond immediate concerns, the Government will also prepare Singapore for the future.
It will accelerate the nation’s transition to cleaner energy and create smarter, more connected and greener homes for all Singaporeans, PM Wong said.
“Above all, we will work shoulder to shoulder with all Singaporeans to write this next chapter of our nation’s story.”
The new Government will continue to engage Singaporeans from all walks of life, and actively involve them in creating and implementing solutions.
“This is how my team and I will govern – in partnership with Singaporeans. Everyone will have a say in shaping our way forward and building our shared future,” PM Wong said.
The team is not afraid of differing views – it welcomes constructive debates that will push it to think harder, plan better and serve Singaporeans more effectively, he added.
“But at the same time, we must always respect one another, and remember that even with our differences, we share more in common with each other.”
The election outcome reflects the collective desire of Singaporeans, said PM Wong.
“In these uncertain times, you understood what was at stake – our vulnerability and our future,” he said.
“You chose leaders you could trust, a government you could rely on, and a steady course for our nation’s next phase of development.”
PM Wong had on May 21 announced a slew of changes to the Government’s top leadership, bringing in fresh faces who will have fresh perspectives and ideas, as well as having experienced ministers with steady hands.
It was his first big overhaul of the Cabinet since assuming the role of head of government in May 2024, and came after he led the ruling People’s Action Party to secure a convincing majority at the May 3 polls, with 65.57 per cent of the vote.
PM Wong and his new team were sworn in by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon in front of about 650 guests, comprising MPs, former ministers, diplomats and representatives from across Singapore society.
The international community and investors would have taken note of the election outcome, said the Prime Minister.
“They would see a nation that is united – standing firmly behind its leaders, and placing confidence in a government with the strength and security to secure Singapore’s place in an unpredictable world.
“The outcome leaves no room for doubt – no one in the world can question the resolve of Singaporeans and the Government they have chosen,” he said.
“This is a clear advantage for Singapore, especially in the conduct of our foreign policy.”
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who presided over the ceremony, also spoke about the global challenges ahead.
Small states like Singapore will feel the weight of the geopolitical cross-currents more than most countries, he said.
“Our well-being has always depended on a stable, rules-based international order. That order is unravelling, forcing us to adapt and find new ways to remain in control of our destiny, and hold together as a people with our values intact,” he said.
“There is no telling whether this global disorder will eventually subside. But there is no returning to the world we knew over our first 60 years of nationhood.”
PM Wong noted that history has not been kind to small nations like Singapore.
“We have always been vulnerable, caught between the interests of greater powers. Yet for 60 years, Singapore has defied the odds,” he said.
This was not due to good luck, but Singaporeans’ courage, conviction and collective will, he stressed.
“As long as we continue to believe in ourselves, have faith in one another, and work together, we will endure.
“Singapore will endure. So be it SG100, or even beyond, there will still be Singaporeans – standing strong and free,” said PM Wong.
“And not only will we survive – we will prevail.”
Government will always put Singaporeans at the centre of all it does, says PM Lawrence Wong
By Chin Soo Fang, The Straits Times, 24 May 2025
The newly formed Government will press on with realising its road map for a fairer and more just society, and will work closely with Singaporeans in shaping these plans, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pledged on May 23.
Besides moves to strengthen Singapore’s social compact, it will also look beyond immediate concerns to prepare Singapore for the future, he said in a speech at the Istana following the swearing-in of his refreshed Cabinet.
“Together, as a team, we pledge to serve Singaporeans to the best of our abilities, with commitment and integrity, with sincerity and humility,” he said.
He added: “Our mission is clear: To always put Singaporeans at the centre of all we do, to listen to your concerns, and to respond decisively.”
PM Wong said Forward Singapore – a blueprint for the next phase of Singapore’s growth drawn up through consultations with over 200,000 citizens – is especially critical today, as a society torn by inequalities cannot be resilient in the face of a more turbulent world.
That is why the Government will enhance the country’s social support system to provide greater assurance to Singaporeans across all life stages, from early childhood to retirement.
This means keeping essential services like education, healthcare and housing accessible and affordable, and strengthening support for seniors so they can live with dignity, purpose and fulfilment, he said.
More diverse and flexible pathways will be created for Singaporeans to seek happiness, prosperity and progress, whether they are a student exploring career options, a mid-career worker seeking to upskill, or a senior who wishes to continue contributing, said PM Wong.
“Our aim is for every Singaporean to thrive and flourish on their own terms,” he said.
The mutual understanding and respect between people of different ethnic, religious and social backgrounds will also be deepened to strengthen the bonds that unite Singaporeans, he added.
He noted that Singaporeans did not allow issues of race and religion that surfaced during the general election to divide them. This showed how far society has come, but was also a reminder for the country not to take its harmony for granted.
“We will continue to guard these fault lines carefully, and redouble our efforts to build a society where everyone feels respected and valued, and knows they truly belong,” he said.
Speaking in Malay, PM Wong said he had strengthened his team with the promotion and appointment of several new office-holders who are from the Malay community, and that the Government will continue to strengthen its relationship with the Malay/Muslim community.
Looking further ahead, the Government will also accelerate Singapore’s transition to cleaner energy, and adapt to the realities of climate change.
Infrastructure will be transformed to create smarter, more connected and greener homes for all Singaporeans, and PM Wong gave the assurance that the city will be dynamic and vibrant, yet distinctly Singaporean – “a great place to live, and one we are all proud to call home”.
Above all, the Government will work shoulder to shoulder with all Singaporeans to write this next chapter of the nation’s story, he said.
This means continuing to engage Singaporeans from all walks of life to hear their hopes and concerns, and actively involving the people such that their voices are reflected in government policies, said PM Wong.
PM Wong said in his Mandarin remarks that he and his team will henceforth ramp up their engagement with Singaporeans, with the aim of together achieving a common vision and goals.
“This is how my team and I will govern – in partnership with Singaporeans,” he said. “Everyone will have a say in shaping our way forward and building our shared future.”
A more open and engaged society will strengthen, not weaken, Singapore, he stressed.
“We are not afraid of differing views – we welcome constructive debates. They push us to think harder, plan better, and serve Singaporeans more effectively,” he said.
“But at the same time, we must always respect one another, and remember that even with our differences, we share more in common with each other.”
While history has not been kind to small nations like Singapore, and the Republic has always been vulnerable, caught between the interests of greater powers, PM Wong noted that Singapore has defied the odds for 60 years.
It has done so not just because of good luck, but because of Singaporeans’ courage, conviction, and collective will as one people, he added.
As long as the people continue to believe in themselves, have faith in one another, and work together, Singapore will endure, he added.
“So be it SG100, or even beyond, there will still be Singaporeans – standing strong and free,” he said. “And not only will we survive – we will prevail.”
The Prime Minister called on Singaporeans to once again muster the courage, imagination and new resolve to build a country that is open, inclusive and full of opportunities.
“Let us secure a brighter future for ourselves, our families and for generations to come,” he said.
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