Current Health Minister Will Remain in the COVID-19 Task Force Even After He Moves to MTI from 15 May

After Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Heng Swee Keat dropped the bombshell that he will be stepping down as 4G leader, another bigger bombshell was dropped by Prime Minister (PM) Lee.

Mr Ong Ye Kung, who has been in the Ministry of Transport (MOT) for a shorter amount of time than COVID-19 existence, will take over as Heath Minister.

This means that our current Health Minister, Mr Gan Kim Yong, will vacate his post and take over the Ministry for Trade and Industry (MTI).

However, he will still be aiding in our fight against the pesky coronavirus.

Current Health Minister Will Remain in the COVID-19 Task Force Even After He Moves to MTI from 15 May

Even after taking on his new role as Minister for Trade and Industry on 15 May, Mr Gan will still be our face of the fight against COVID-19.

Well, one of the faces.

Since Mr Ong will become co-chair of the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force (MTF) as well after becoming Health Minister, and our next Finance Minister Mr Lawrence Wong (formerly our Education Minister) will remain in the force, we will have three ministers leading our fight against the coronavirus.

“I’ve discussed with Minister Wong and Minister Ong and we’ve discussed how we can ensure continuity,” Mr Gan said.

“The three of us will continue to be involved in the MTF, to share and support one another. I will continue to work with the two co-chairs to ensure that there is continuity.”

Mr Gan has been in the Health Ministry for almost a decade.

Cabinet Reshuffle

On 23 April, while we were rearranging our dusty books and expired passports in our cabinet, PM Lee rearranged his cabinet extensively.

Clearly, our cabinets are very different.

A total of seven ministries will get new ministers, and all appointments will take effect on 15 May.

So, what are the changes?

Since DPM Heng will be stepping down, Mr Lawrence Wong, 48, will take over the Ministry of Finance (MOF) after serving in the Ministry of Education (MOE) for nine months.

Mr Chan Chun Sing, 51, will be leaving his post in the MTI and will move to MOE.

And, as previously mentioned, own Daniel Dae Kim lookalike—Mr Ong Ye Kung—will be heading the Ministry of Health (MOH). His post in the MOT will be taken over by Mr S Iswaran, 58.

52-year-old Mrs Josephine Teo, currently heading the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), will take over the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI), while Dr Tan See Leng, 56, will take her place.

While the changes have led some to believe that PM Lee knows who his successor is, experts think no one is currently leading the race, and the post remains up for grabs.

Feature Image: Facebook (Gan Kim Yong / Ministry of Trade & Industry)