Everything About Lawrence Wong’s New Cabinet in 60 Seconds

By
Zhi Hao
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Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled his first full Cabinet on 21 May 2025, less than three weeks after the General Election. The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) had secured a strong mandate, winning nearly two-thirds of the vote.

Everything About Lawrence Wong’s New Cabinet in 60 Seconds

Gan Kim Yong remains the only Deputy Prime Minister. There is no second DPM, following the retirement of Heng Swee Keat. Gan also continues as Coordinating Minister for the economy and will act as PM if Wong is away.

Three new Coordinating Ministers join the Cabinet:

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  • K Shanmugam takes over as Coordinating Minister for National Security, continuing as Minister for Home Affairs and stepping down from the Law portfolio.

  • Chan Chun Sing becomes Coordinating Minister for Public Services and takes over as Minister for Defence, leaving Education.

  • Ong Ye Kung is now Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, retaining his Health portfolio and responsibility for ageing issues.

Desmond Lee becomes Minister for Education, leaving National Development. Chee Hong Tat takes over National Development, relinquishing his roles as Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance. Edwin Tong becomes Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs, leaving Culture, Community and Youth.

Six officeholders are retiring: Heng Swee Keat, Teo Chee Hean, Dr Ng Eng Hen, Dr Maliki Osman, Heng Chee How, and Dr Amy Khor.

Nine new political office holders join the team, including seven first-term MPs. Notable new acting ministers: Jeffrey Siow (Transport) and David Neo (Culture, Community and Youth).

Three senior ministers of state are promoted: Faishal Ibrahim, Murali Pillai, and Sun Xueling. Baey Yam Keng is promoted to Minister of State.

Labour chief Ng Chee Meng returns to Parliament but does not have a government role yet; this is described as a temporary arrangement.

There are now 15 full ministers and two acting ministers in the Cabinet, distributed among the Prime Minister’s Office and 16 ministries.

Wong keeps his Finance portfolio, which he has held since 2021.

This reshuffle is described as a transition, with more changes expected in the next one or two years as junior officeholders gain experience.

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All appointments take effect from 23 May 2025.

Here’s what NCMPs are, and what to expect after GE2025:

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Zhi Hao
Email: [email protected]