Cabinet reshuffle: Strong message on who will be in charge next, say observers

Minister Heng Swee Keat was appointed as the sole Deputy Prime Minister in the latest Cabinet reshuffle yesterday, a strong signal to the international community that he is next in charge. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
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One, it puts the spotlight on Mr Heng, who will work closely with PM Lee in directing the next general election, which must be held by April 2021. "That's another reason this reshuffle was so simple - it's supposed to be non-disruptive, to make it clear who the next PM is and to do that, you first need that person to be DPM," he said.

Two, with just Mr Heng as DPM, he can choose his own deputy and by extension, the rest of his team when he eventually takes the top post.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 24, 2019, with the headline Cabinet reshuffle: Strong message on who will be in charge next, say observers. Subscribe