SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will remain in the Cabinet as a Senior Minister after stepping down as government leader, but there will not be many changes to the rest of the line-up for now, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday (April 16).
Details of the Cabinet reshuffle will be announced days before the inauguration ceremony on May 15, said Wong, Singapore’s next prime minister a day after the leadership handover date was announced.
Wong told reporters that Singapore’s government system works on the basis of continuity and progressive change.
He added that it had never happened before in Singapore’s leadership transition that all the old ministers stepped down simultaneously.
“Instead, they continue to contribute in different ways, while providing space for the younger generation to progress. So I will apply the same approach when I take over,” he said again.
Wong, who is also Finance Minister, said he was pleased Lee had agreed to remain in the Cabinet as a Senior Minister. Former Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong also served as Senior Ministers after stepping down.
When asked whether Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean would continue in his role, Wong said most existing ministers would remain in their current portfolios, although he was in the process of talking to individual ministers.
“I will also consider the possibility of promotion as well as consider bringing in some backbenchers to strengthen the team,” said Wong. “I will not be able to bring in anyone from outside to join the team until the election, so for now, the general shape of the team remains intact.”
