Everything About Lawrence Wong’s New Cabinet, Which Includes a Surprise New DPM

Lawrence Wong has announced his new Cabinet, and no, it’s not from IKEA.

His Cabinet isn’t made out of hardwood or plywood, but rather, people.

Reader: Wait… that sounds a bit sus and quite scary-

Let me cut you off there, we’re not talking about cabinets that go in your room or kitchen.

The Cabinet we’re talking about is basically a group of the top leaders in the executive branch, aka the Ministers. These people are responsible for all government policies and the day-to-day administration of the affairs of state.

Basically, they’re the big bosses that make sure things in Singapore run smoothly.

If you’re wondering why Lawrence Wong has announced a new Cabinet and why Prime Minister Lee isn’t the one making this announcement, then you’re probably living under a rock.

Here’s everything you need to know on why there’s a new Cabinet and who’s in it.

PM Lee Hands Over To DPM Wong

Yesterday (13 May 2024), President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong, and Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Lawrence Wong exchanged letters to formally mark the leadership handover happening tomorrow (15 May 2024).

PM Lee’s Letter to President Tharman

“I write to inform you that I intend to resign as Prime Minister on 15 May 2024,” PM Lee’s letter read.

Wow, only two days notice. You probably can’t find that anywhere else in Singapore.

“I now formally advise you to invite Mr Lawrence Wong, who commands the confidence of the majority of Members of Parliament, to form the next government,” the letter read.

President Tharman’s Letter to PM Lee 

In response, President Tharman thanked PM Lee for his four decades of service.

He wrote: “You opened new pathways of opportunity for Singaporeans, improved life for every segment of society and strengthened our social safety nets.”

“You gave our people the confidence to see through (the 2008 Global Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic), while staying united. You steered a nation to emerge not just intact but stronger and more resilient,” President Tharman’s letter read.

“Your sense of duty and integrity, wisdom and compassion, have set a high standard, and will inspire those who follow.”

President Tharman’s Letter to DPM Wong

President Tharman then wrote to DPM Wong and notified him that, in line with PM Lee’s advice, he intends to appoint DPM Wong as Prime Minister on 15 May 2024, and invited him to form the next government.

“I have every confidence that as Prime Minister, you will lead Singapore with honour and ensure the continued stability and vitality of our nation,” President Tharman wrote.

PM Wong, Not DPM Wong

DPM Wong replied to President Tharman and accepted his appointment to the office of Prime Minister of Singapore.

So from tomorrow (15 May) onwards, we’ll be calling him “PM Wong”, not “DPM Wong”.

And with his appointment as PM, DPM Wong has announced the new Cabinet lineup.

(Made of people, not wood.)

New Cabinet Lineup

“Continuity and stability are key considerations especially as we are approaching the end of this term of government,” DPM Wong said.

“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.”

DPM Wong said that he will be keeping Ministers in their present roles until the end of the term “to avoid any disruptions”.

He added that there would be “bigger changes” after the upcoming General Election.

Which, by the way, could be happening as early as this year.

DPM Wong also said that he will be making some promotions amongst the junior office holders and backbenchers to renew the team.

The new cabinet lineup will take effect from 15 May 2024.

Lee Hsien Loong to Be Senior Minister

Lee Hsien Loong will be appointed Senior Minister.

Mind you, “Senior Minister” doesn’t mean a minister who’s old.

This position is only granted to those who have previously served as the PM or DPM.

Others who have held this title include S. Rajaratnam, Lee Kuan Yew, and the current President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

In his letter, President Tharman wrote to PM Lee: “Your experience and advice will I am sure benefit the new leadership team as they chart the next phase of our history and make an even better Singapore.”

Promotions

The Cabinet reshuffle will see four promotions for Gan Kim Yong, Low Yen Ling, Desmond Tan, and Rahayu Mahzam.

Gan Kim Yong will be promoted to Deputy Prime Minister.

He will also carry on as Trade and Industry Minister.

He will take over from Mr Wong as Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore and will assume responsibility for the strategy group within the Prime Minister’s office.

This is rather “surprising” as many expected DPM Wong to be searching for fresh blood.

There had been speculation that DPM Wong would pick one of his 4G (4th Generation) leaders for the role, though this move has shown that DPM Wong is prioritising experience in the short run.

Low Yen Ling will be promoted to Senior Minister of State.

She will continue in the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. She will also continue serving as the Mayor of the South West District.

Desmond Tan will also be promoted to Senior Minister of State.

He will stay with the Prime Minister’s Office and the National Trades Union Congress.

Rahayu Mahzam will be promoted to Minister of State.

She will take up a new appointment in the Ministry of Communications and Information and will continue on in the Ministry of Health.

She will, at the same time, be relinquishing her role in the Ministry of Law.

New Appointments

Two new faces will be joining Lawrence Wong’s Cabinet.

Bukit Batok SMC MP Murali Pillai will be appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Transport.

Jurong GRC MP Shawn Huang will be appointed Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.

While Huang will be appointed on 15 May and sword in on 24 May, Pillai will be appointed and sworn in on 1 July.

Most Ministers Will Retain Their Positions

As DPM Wong has decided to keep most Ministers in their present role for the time being, there are not many changes to the Cabinet.

Same old, same old.

The following Ministers will retain their current roles:

• Heng Swee Keat: Deputy Prime Minister
• Teo Chee Hean: Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security
• Ng Eng Hen: Minister for Defence
• Vivian Balakrishnan: Minister for Foreign Affairs
• K Shanmugam: Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law
• Grace Fu: Minister for Sustainability and the Environment
• Chan Chun Sing: Minister for Education
• Masagos Zulkifli: Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health
• Ong Ye Kung: Minister for Health
• Josephine Teo: Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Home Affairs
• Desmond Lee: Minister for National Development
• Indranee Rajah: Minister, Prime Minister’s Office; Second Minister for Finance; and Second Minister for National Development
• Maliki Osman: Minister, Prime Minister’s Office; Second Minister for Education; and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Edwin Tong: Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law
• Tan See Leng: Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry
• Chee Hong Tat: Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance

In addition to the ministers above, Gan Kim Yong will be retaining his role as Minister for Trade and Industry while taking on his new role as Deputy Prime Minister.

Lawrence Wong will also be retaining his role as Minister for Finance as he takes on his new role as Prime Minister.

Ministers of State

The following Members of Parliament will be appointed as Ministers of State with effect from 15 May 2024, with the exception of Mr Murali Pillai, who is to be appointed with effect from 1 July 2024.

Think of them as junior Ministers that assist Ministers in their duties.

They are to be designated as follows:

Senior Ministers of State

• Heng Chee How: Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
• Amy Khor: Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment & Ministry of Transport
• Sim Ann: Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of National Development
• Janil Puthucheary: Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of Health
• Koh Poh Koon: Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Manpower & Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment
• Zaqy Mohamad: Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence & Ministry of Manpower
• Tan Kiat How: Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of National Development
• Low Yen Ling: Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry
• Desmond Tan: Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office

Ministers of State

• Faishal Ibrahim: Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of National Development
• Sun Xueling: Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development
• Gan Siow Huang: Minister of State, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Manpower
• Alvin Tan: Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry
• Rahayu Mahzam: Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of Health
• Murali Pillai: Minister of State, Ministry of Law & Ministry of Transport

Parliamentary Secretaries

The following Members of Parliament will be appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries with effect from 15 May 2024 and will assist the Ministers for the following Ministries:

• Baey Yam Keng: Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment & Ministry of Transport
• Eric Chua: Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Social and Family Development
• Shawn Huang: Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Finance