SINGAPORE: A major Cabinet reshuffle is expected following the May 3 election, with the roles of finance minister, defence minister and deputy prime minister among the most closely watched, political analysts said.
With the People’s Action Party (PAP) securing 65.57 per cent of the national vote, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is expected to form his own team and appoint new political office holders to shape the fifth-generation leadership.
The upcoming reshuffle will mark the first Cabinet Mr Wong fully forms since succeeding Mr Lee Hsien Loong in 2024.
Post-election reshuffles typically occur within two to three weeks after a General Election. At a press conference held after the election results were announced, Mr Wong acknowledged that Cabinet formation would be a priority.
“There is added urgency this year given the need to deal with the uncertainty of the trade war and the tariff situation,” said National University of Singapore (NUS) associate professor Chong Ja Ian.
Analysts noted that a major reshuffle has not occurred since 2021, with COVID-19, the leadership transition and mounting global uncertainty contributing to continuity in recent years.
The mostly unchanged portfolios have helped provide stability in the government, said Assoc Prof Chong.
That said, some portfolios may remain untouched despite long tenures, particularly in “specialist ministries” such as trade and industry, foreign affairs, law and home affairs, said Mr Malminderjit Singh, managing director of Terra Corporate Affairs.
Among the current batch of Cabinet members, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has been leading foreign affairs for 10 years and Mr K Shanmugam has been overseeing home affairs and law for 10 years and 17 years respectively.
CLEAR SHIFT TO 4G
With the retirement of three veteran ministers – Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen – and many of the current Cabinet members having held their portfolios since 2020, Mr Wong has room to make bold moves, analysts said.
Singapore Management University’s law don Eugene Tan said the reshuffle would be major, as Mr Wong would want to show the depth of talent within the ruling party.
“Most of the 4G are not ‘his’ people. They all came in at about the same time,” Assoc Prof Tan said. “There will be a focus from PM Wong on appointing people at the junior ministerial levels, where they would get their first POH appointments in his tenure.”
Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) research fellow Teo Kay Key said the strong election results mean Mr Wong retains the full slate of ministers – apart from those who retired – from the previous Cabinet, giving him flexibility.
The reshuffle is also likely to signal a “clear transition” from the 3G leadership to 4G, said Mr Singh.
“While PM Lawrence Wong took over a year ago, he had retained many 3G leaders in his Cabinet. This will be his moment to shape the team that he sees best fit to work with him for the next five years at least, ” he said.
Independent political observer Felix Tan said the reshuffle would be a test of Mr Wong’s campaign rhetoric on renewal and trust in new candidates.
“If you don’t put them into positions, then it goes against the entire rhetoric that he was talking about throughout the campaign, about finding new blood,” he said.
However, IPS’ Dr Teo said the PM may also opt for a more measured approach, making incremental changes over time, given global uncertainties.
NEW DEFENCE MINISTER NEEDED
Among the most significant appointments will be that of a new defence minister. Dr Ng, an oncologist who held the post for 14 years, retired ahead of the election.
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