The Usual Place Podcast

What PM Wong’s new Cabinet line-up signals for succession

SMU law professor Eugene Tan and BowerGroupAsia’s managing director Nydia Ngiow discusses the Cabinet reshuffle in this episode of The Usual Place.

Natasha Ann Zachariah

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The votes are in, the general election is over, and a new Parliament is taking shape.

The last piece of the GE2025 chapter was unveiled on May 21: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s Cabinet line-up, which had a few surprises including just one deputy prime minister (DPM) position and

a bumper crop of seven newly-elected MPs

who will be political office-holders.

In this episode of The Usual Place Podcast, I

unpack the post-GE2025 Cabinet line-up

with Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan and Ms Nydia Ngiow, the managing director of strategic advisory firm BowerGroupAsia.

(From left) SMU law professor Eugene Tan and BowerGroupAsia’s managing director Nydia Ngiow speak with Natasha Ann Zachariah - correspondent and The Usual Place Podcast host - about the Cabinet reshuffle.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

For Prof Tan, not having a second DPM was a surprise move, and he noted that PM Wong is “breaking that particular trend”.

He pointed out that Mr Chan Chun Sing, who will be Defence Minister and Coordinating Minister for Public Services, and Mr Ong Ye Kung, who will continue on as Health Minister and take on the role of Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, are both front runners for the DPM position, given that they are part of PM Wong’s core team of senior leaders.

However, Prof Tan pointed out, “the field may not be limited to them”. As the new government gets to work, other potential candidates may eventually stand out.

“I think nothing is cast in stone. There is certainly no inevitability from being coordinating minister to DPM.”

Going into the next term of government, Ms Ngiow said the much-talked about 4G leadership renewal is in place.

Given the publicity and talk around the new faces during the general election, she added: “We can expect that the public will definitely scrutinise this Parliament and Cabinet a bit more closely. All eyes will be on how the 4G leaders will then be helping to lead and guide the younger generations moving forward.”

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:21 Was it a safe reshuffle, or were there surprises in PM Wong’s new Cabinet?

3:03 One thing about the line-up that stood out for Prof Tan and Ms Ngiow

4:18 “Breaking the trend” when it comes to having two DPMs - and who could step up by the mid-term

7:46 Are Ministers Ong Ye Kung and Chan Chun Sing the front runners for the DPM spot?

10:11 On moving National Development Minister Desmond Lee to the Ministry of Education

11:20 A “bigger canvas” at the Ministry of National Development: Prof Tan on Mr Chee Hong Tat’s move

13:42 The task force at the Ministry of Trade and Industry

17:51 What does the post of Acting Minister mean?

19:48 The mix of new faces in the Cabinet

22:48 A bumper crop of people with “political office-holder potential” sets the scene for leadership renewal: Prof Tan

24:46 Not getting a promotion in this Cabinet isn’t necessarily a negative thing

27:22 Different people bring their own strengths, says Ms Ngiow on those who have stayed in their roles

28:56 On Dr Faishal Ibrahim’s appointment as Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs

31:22 Will we see labour chief Ng Chee Meng back in government at a later time?

35:21 People want to see what the PAP backbenchers can do; must show that they are relevant, says Prof Tan

37:17 With the 4G renewal complete, it’s time to look at the next generation of leaders

40:50 Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s role in this Government

Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (

natashaz@sph.com.sg

)

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