Lawrence Wong announces cabinet reshuffle; Gan Kim Yong promoted to DPM

SINGAPORE: Incoming Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday (13 May) announced a Cabinet reshuffle, Mr Gan Kim Yong is set to be promoted to Deputy Prime Minister while retaining his position as Trade and Industry Minister.

Additionally, Mr Gan will serve as the Acting Prime Minister when the Prime Minister is absent and will assume the chairmanship of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Moreover, he will take charge of the Strategy Group within the Prime Minister’s Office.

The official appointment to these new roles for Mr Gan will take place on Wednesday, coinciding with Mr Wong assuming leadership from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

It’s noteworthy that current Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat will continue his duties in the same capacity.

51-year-old Mr Wong also announced additional promotions and appointments on Monday, yet there were no significant changes to the leadership of each ministry in this reshuffle.

Mr Wong will continue to lead the Finance Ministry.

Other appointments

Ms Low Yen Ling will be elevated to the position of Senior Minister of State, serving concurrently in the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth (MCCY), as well as the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Additionally, she will retain her role as Mayor of the South West District.

Mr Desmond Tan’s promotion will see him assume the role of Senior Minister of State, maintaining his responsibilities within the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the National Trades Union Congress.

Ms Rahayu Mahzam will advance to the position of Minister of State, undertaking a new role within the Ministry of Communications and Information, while continuing her duties within the Ministry of Health.

However, she will step down from her position within the Ministry of Law.

Upon stepping down as the government’s leader, PM Lee will continue serving in the Cabinet as Senior Minister, concurrently holding the position of chairman of the Research, Innovation, and Enterprise Council.

Mr Murali Pillai will assume the role of Minister of State in both the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Transport.

Mr Shawn Huang’s appointment will see him taking on the position of Senior Parliamentary Secretary in both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.

Prioritizing continuity and stability

During a press conference at the Istana on Monday, Mr Wong emphasized that continuity and stability are paramount as the government approaches the conclusion of its current term.

“All the ministers already have a full plate of work to see through, and some have also just rolled out new programmes in their ministries. ”

“To avoid any disruptions, I have decided to keep them in their present roles until the end of the term.”

He further explained his decision to retain his position as Finance Minister even upon assuming the role of Prime Minister on Wednesday.

Regarding Mr Gan’s promotion, the PM-to-be noted their shared experience navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting Mr Gan’s unwavering support throughout.

Mr Gan’s expertise in international economics, Mr Wong added, will be invaluable as Singapore navigates an increasingly competitive global landscape.

Reflecting on his relationship with Mr Heng, Mr Wong mentioned their shared journey in politics since 2011, working closely together in both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.

Describing both Mr Gan and Mr Heng as seasoned ministers, Mr Wong expressed confidence in their ability to provide stability during this transitional phase and to mentor younger political leaders.

“I’m glad they will be supporting me as my deputies,” Mr. Wong concluded, underscoring the importance of their guidance and counsel.

Mr Gan is 65 years old, while Mr Heng is 63.

Acknowledging the blend of seasoned ministers and younger officials within his new team, Mr Wong expressed his intention to rotate the PAP fourth-generation (4G) ministers across various portfolios.

This strategy aims to provide them with broader exposure and experience, contingent upon the party’s re-election after the current term.

“Among them, I’m sure some will be able to step up and take over from their senior colleagues in due course,” he said, emphasizing the readiness of junior officeholders to assume additional responsibilities.

Anticipating the likelihood of retirements among older ministers either by the end of the current term or shortly thereafter, Mr Wong affirmed his active pursuit of new candidates capable of assuming office.

“I aim to further renew and strengthen the team with new members, especially men and women in their 30s and 40s. There’s no higher priority for me, and that is to form the best possible team to serve Singapore and Singaporeans.”

Addressing queries regarding the absence of a Second Minister for the Ministry of Defence to shadow current Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Mr Wong reiterated the eventual retirement of senior ministers and the necessity of identifying successors.

He emphasized that successors may emerge from the existing pool of ministers or through broader considerations post-General Election, potentially involving wider exposure for 4G ministers across various portfolios.

Mr Wong’s rationale for Mr Gan’s appointment despite Mr Gan “not quite 4G”

In response to inquiries about the criteria for appointing Mr Gan as Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Wong acknowledged that while Mr Gan may not fit squarely within the 4G category, his appointment aligns with the goals of ensuring continuity and stability while gradually renewing the team.

“But that’s ok, because … I am looking at ensuring continuity and stability while renewing the team,” Mr Wong said.

The most recent cabinet reshuffle by the PAP government occurred on 23 April 2021.

During the 2021 reshuffle, Education Minister Lawrence Wong assumed the Finance Minister portfolio from Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat. This transition was part of a larger Cabinet reshuffle that impacted seven key ministries referred to as “frontline ministries”.

The appointments announced on Monday by Lawrence Wong are slated for 15 May, except Mr Pillai’s, which will occur on 1 July.

Additionally, the Senior Parliamentary Secretaries will be appointed on 15 May and sworn in on 24 May.

In a further announcement made on Monday, the Ministry of Communications and Information will be renamed the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, effective 8 July.

This change reflects the ministry’s expanded role in driving Singapore’s national digital agenda, alongside its continued oversight of information policy and strategy, media development, and public communications efforts.

Mr Wong is set to be sworn in as Singapore’s fourth Prime Minister at 8 pm on Wednesday at the Istana, succeeding PM Lee, who served as the government’s leader for 20 years.

Mr Wong had previously stated that significant Cabinet changes are expected post the next General Election, mandated to occur by November 2025.