The president of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), a women's advocacy group, said she had been hopeful of seeing one since Dr Seet Ai Mee, then-acting minister for community development, was ousted in the 1991 General Election.

Said Mrs Singam: 'Aware is very disappointed that the Prime Minister has missed an opportunity to put a woman in the highest decision-making body.'

Her disappointment was echoed by Nominated MP Jessie Phua as well as two men - MP Charles Chong and Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong.

Mrs Singam said it was time that a woman be made minister as half the workforce are women and contributing to the economy.

'Yet they don't have a voice in the highest decision-making body,' she said.

Ms Phua added: 'I had been expecting one of them (women Ministers of State) to take on the role.'

Mr Chong, an MP for Pasir Ris- Punggol GRC, felt a woman minister was 'long overdue''.

Singapore has three women Ministers of State. Two will be promoted to Senior Ministers of State next month - Mrs Lim Hwee Hua and Ms Grace Fu.

Mr Siew said there was nothing to suggest they did not have what it takes to become full ministers.

He said: 'I don't agree with appointing a woman minister for the sake of having one, but this does make you wonder what exactly does it take for a woman to get there.'

Others remain hopeful that it will not be long before a woman minister joins the Cabinet.

Political watcher Viswa Sadasivan described Mrs Lim, 49, and Ms Fu, who turned 44 yesterday, as strong candidates.

Said Mr Sadasivan: 'I think we're on track to seeing a woman minister.'