Leading contenders given crucial roles in cabinet reshuffle
Singaporeans have to wait a while longer to find out who is closest to claiming the position of the country's prime minister. In a cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday, the three politicians -- Chan Chun Sing, Heng Swee Keat and Ong Ye Kung -- who are widely seen as the leading contenders, took leading ministerial positions.
The leadership handover is going to be the third in the country's 53-year history as an independent nation. In 1990, Lee Kuan Yew, the late father of the current prime minister, passed the baton to Goh Chok Tong. Fourteen years later, in 2004, Lee junior succeeded Goh. The next prime minister will have to tackle various complicated challenges. Singapore has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but it is facing issues including an aging population, a widening gap between rich and poor, as well as looming global protectionist trends and China's expanding influence in the Asian region.
The clear front runner in the race, however, has not emerged yet. In the latest cabinet changes, the office of deputy prime minister, currently shared by so-called "third-generation" leaders Teo Chee Hean and Tharman Shanmugaratnam, was unchanged. Recent prime ministers have spent time as deputy before they stepped up to the top job.
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Singaporeans are in the dark about their next prime minister
Not that their views count for much
A PILLAR of stability, Lee Hsien Loong, son of Singapore’s independence leader, Lee Kuan Yew, has run the country since 2004. Despite a decline in his party’s popularity, the manicured electoral system has returned him to office time and again, most recently in 2015. The country is now more than halfway to the next election, which must be held in 2021 at the latest. As it nears, a tricky subject looms: who will replace Mr Lee? He plans to stand once more before stepping down as prime minister ahead of his 70th birthday in 2022. The question has the government on edge.
Mr Lee will almost certainly win the next election. The ruling People’s Action Party has held power since before independence more than half a century ago. It holds 83 of the 89 elected seats in Singapore’s parliament. Predicting the identity of the next prime minister is trickier. But a cabinet reshuffle this week provided clues. Three older ministers, all in their sixties, stepped down. Younger colleagues were awarded more responsibilities.
Mr Lee’s possible successors include Heng Swee Keat (pictured), the finance minister, Ong Ye Kung, the education minister and Chan Chun Sing, newly promoted from the prime minister’s office to the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Mr Heng, who has led the education ministry and the Monetary Authority of Singapore as well as serving as an aide to Mr Lee’s father, is regarded as the frontrunner. One former official praises him for his growing ease in the public eye despite not being “a natural politician”. Wonkishness does not tend to hold Singaporean politicians back. His health, however, might: he suffered a stroke in 2016.
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WHAT SINGAPORE’S CABINET SHAKE-UP REVEALS ABOUT PLANS FOR LIFE AFTER LEE HSIEN LOONG
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s decision to hold off on naming new deputies in Tuesday’s sweeping cabinet reshuffle suggests all three ministers viewed as contenders for the top political job remain in the running, observers said.
In a Facebook post, Lee said the extensive changes – fourth-generation or “4G” ministers of his long ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) now oversee two-thirds of the country’s ministries – showed the “leadership transition taking place in the next few years is well underway”.
Lee, in power since 2004, had not made such drastic changes to his government since 2011, when senior leaders including his late father and the country’s founding premier Lee Kuan Yew exited cabinet following a weak showing at elections that year.
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Singapore PM Reshuffles Cabinet With Succession Question Looming
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reshuffled his cabinet on Tuesday, naming one of his potential successors, Chan Chun Sing, as trade minister and giving additional duties to two other ministers tipped as contenders.
Lee, the eldest son of Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew, has made clear he is ready to stand down in the next couple of years, but no obvious successor has emerged from a group of 16 ministers tasked with picking a leader from within their ranks. Chan is one of three potential successors touted by Singapore's media and political analysts, alongside Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat and Education Minister Ong Ye Kung.
The People's Action Party has ruled the island-state since its independence more than 50 years ago, and there have been only three prime ministers.
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Who Is in the Running to Be Singapore's Next Prime Minister?
Singaporeans are waiting to find out who will be anointed to succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and become the city-state's fourth leader since its independence in 1965. Lee, the eldest son of Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew, said he intends to step down in coming years. Singapore needs to hold its next general election by early 2021.
The decision will be taken by a group of 16 so-called fourth-generation leaders, all government ministers, who have been asked to choose the next leader from within their own ranks. There is no specific deadline for their decision.
Singapore's media and political analysts have narrowed the list of potential successors down to three most likely candidates - Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung and newly-appointed Trade Minister Chan Chun Sing - but there remains no obvious frontrunner.
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Singapore’s Cabinet Reshuffle
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has announced one of the largest cabinet reshuffles of his administration; making changes at the top of all but one senior government agency. But unlike some governments, these changes don’t reflect scandal or political fallout.
Analysts say they’re part of a process setting up potential political succession. Lee is only the third leader that Singapore has ever known. His father, Lee Kwan Yew was the founding Prime Minister — serving in that role from the country’s birth in 1965 until 1990. Goh Chok Tong led the country for the next 14 years — until Lee Hsien Loong took over in 2004. Now he’s been in office for 14 years, and political observers say the identity of the next leader is far from settled among senior bosses of the dominant People’s Action Party. So the focus has turned to what’s generally called “4G.” Not a type of wireless service, but the “fourth generation” of leadership for the still relatively young nation of Singapore.
Several publications inside and outside Singapore identify three main candidates who are in the running — and they all have cabinet posts. They include the Finance Minister, the Education Minister, and a former chief of the army now serving as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. As for how long the succession process may take in Singapore, there’s no clear timetable.
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The Five Men Who Could Be Singapore's Next (Young) Leader
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 66, has said he will reshuffle his cabinet soon and is widely expected to do so before Parliament reconvenes on May 7. The impending changes will increase the focus on a group of younger ministers -- with an average age of about 50 -- equipping them with more exposure and added responsibilities.
Lee has signaled he doesn’t want to stay in power beyond the age of 70, and speculation on who his successor might be is intensifying. His People’s Action Party has been in power since Singapore’s independence in 1965, and is expected to rule for the foreseeable future.
What the current contenders end up doing in the revamped cabinet will be watched as a signal of where they stand and how the gaps in their experience are being plugged. The next generation of leaders will need to navigate risks associated with an aging population, a maturing economy and the tide of rising protectionism globally.
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Singapore PM's job: Once decided over cake and coffee, now mulled over for months
Singaporeans are not used to uncertainty when it comes to their future political leaders
Only one party has ruled the island-state since its independence more than 50 years ago, and there have been only three prime ministers. When founding father Lee Kuan Yew handed over the reins to cabinet colleague Goh Chok Tong, who in turn gave way to Lee's son and current prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, the changes were fixed long in advance.
But with Lee Hsien Loong making it clear he is ready to stand down in the next couple of years, no obvious successor has yet emerged from a group of 16 ministers tasked with picking a leader from within their ranks to take Singapore into a new era. The protracted process, portrayed as an experiment in democracy in the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), has already caused a rare disagreement between the current and former prime ministers, and raised questions about whether there is enough time to groom a capable successor.
The uncertainty comes at a time when Singapore is facing some major challenges if it is to remain as vibrant and prosperous in the future as it is today. Among the issues is the impact of a rapidly ageing population on the island state's finances, the increasing competition it faces for its traditional business strengths - such as its thriving port - and how to handle the growing dominance of China in the region as both an economic and political power.
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Let the succession games begin: The tussle for Singapore’s leadership
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is believed to be looking for a successor. Photo: AFP
Bolstered by the superficial reportage of many international news outlets, there is an absurd myth that Singaporean politics is boring. In reality, few countries have a more fascinating, more intriguing, more controlled and yet more misunderstood polity than does the Little Red Dot.
Nothing reconfirms this more than when there are leadership issues in the long-ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), either in the cabinet, in the presidency or, as now, in the search for a future prime minister.
Before delving into that high-stakes headhunt, it is worth recalling a favourite anecdote of Indonesia’s late former president Abdurrahman Wahid.
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Dystocia of our next Prime Minister
It is interesting to note that PAP could not decide on which current Minister is to take over LHL as the next Prime Minister after such a long while since 2015.
Well, Singaporeans have absolutely no say in the selection of our Prime Minister and the power of to appoint the next PM lies solely in the Cabinet.
However, PAP’s Ministers cannot just ignore Public Opinion and popularityof their choice of PM-wannabe. But this should be the least of PAP’s concern.
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No new DPMs in next Cabinet reshuffle: PM
Singaporeans will have to wait a little longer to find out who their next prime minister is.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday that no new deputy prime ministers will be appointed during the Cabinet reshuffle, which he said would take place after this year's Budget in February.
This suggests there will be no clear front runners made known to the public even after the reshuffle.
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Cabinet reshuffle is nothing new but switching of roles in a musical chair
My take on the cabinet reshuffle announced a little over 2 hours ago which is essentially nothing new but the "switching of roles in a musical chair"
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is actually scrapping the bottom of the barrel when appointing these office holders as it really does not take much to get the attention of the PM by simply acting up something on hot button issues.
Case in point: Indranee's continuous blabbering (making a fool of herself in the process) and defense of her embattled boss whether he's right or wrong and Sun Xueling who inconveniently questioned PM in the 38 Oxley saga and kicking some fuss on Town Council lift management issues. Both obtained instant promotions!
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Everything you need to know about the 2018 S’pore Cabinet reshuffle
As we said, not that big a reshuffle.
The highly-anticipated Singapore Cabinet reshuffle has been announced on Tuesday, April 24.
Their new roles will take effect from May 1, 2018, the first major movement since the last reshuffle on Sept. 11, 2017.
related: S’pore Cabinet reshuffle 2018 in full at a glance
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Cabinet changes: Lee Hsien Loong still undecided on succession
Singapore’s ministers played musical chairs yesterday (Apr 24) following a Cabinet change announcement.
The new changes still show no indication of a new Prime Minister, as the two elderly Deputy PMs – 63-year-old Teo Chee Hean and 61-year-old Tharman Shanmugaratnam – were told to continue serving. One could claimed that Chan Chun Sing is in the front running as he was given a full Minister profile, but it is also apparent that the PM is heavily reliant on Heng Swee Keat to be the Finance Minister.
The swapping of ministerial profiles is also merely cosmetic, as “heavyweight” profiles like Transport Finance, Law, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Health and Defence remain untouched by any of the so-called “4G” ministers.
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Singapore Promotions Prompt Speculation Over Premier’s Successor
Singapore’s prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, promoted several junior ministers Tuesday, including one who is seen as a possible successor.
The changes come amid speculation over who will replace the 66-year-old Mr. Lee, who has indicated he plans to step down in the coming years. He has served as premier since 2004, and his People’s Action Party has governed since independence in 1965.
The party is expected to run the government for the foreseeable future, allowing it effectively to choose future leaders.
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Lee reshuffles cabinet amid succession row
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reshuffled his cabinet on Tuesday, naming one of his potential successors, Chan Chun Sing, as trade minister and giving additional duties to two other ministers tipped as contenders.
Lee, the eldest son of Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew, has made clear he is ready to stand down in the next couple of years, but no obvious successor has emerged from a group of 16 ministers tasked with picking a leader from within their ranks.
Chan is one of three potential successors touted by Singapore’s media and political analysts, alongside Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat and Education Minister Ong Ye Kung.
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PM Lee’s Latest On 4G Leadership is the Reason We Don’t Care About Politics
If you’ve already placed your bets on who would become the next Prime Minister, too bad—you’ll need to wait for another year at least.
After weeks of speculation about PM Lee’s successor, the man in the top seat threw a curveball by announcing yesterday he would not appoint a new Deputy Prime Minister in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle, expected to take place after the Budget on Feb 19.
PM Lee’s rationale is that Singaporeans need more time to get a feel of the 4G leadership, who will be given more leadership roles in the reshuffle. They need to be known not just as public figures, “but to be responsible for significant policies … carrying them, justifying them, defending them, adapting them, making them work, and showing that they deserve to lead.”
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Cabinet reshuffle to involve 16 ministries: PM Lee
All 16 ministries will see changes in next week's Cabinet reshuffle: PM Lee Hsien Loong
The upcoming Cabinet reshuffle will be announced next week and involve all 16 ministries, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
But not all the ministers are moving to new ministries, he told Singapore media on Friday (April 20) when asked about the scale of the reshuffle.
"Some of the key ministers, their portfolios will be adjusted, but basically staying in places where they still need time to continue to develop initiatives which they have started," he said.
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Lee Hsien Loong 16 hrs
Made many changes to Cabinet and other political appointments today
Cabinet is a live grouping. I regularly have to move Ministers around, appoint new ones from the backbenches, promote some office holders, and from time to time retire others.
This year’s reshuffle is more extensive than usual. Three long-serving Ministers are retiring. Many office holders elected in recent elections are getting new or expanded portfolios. I have decided to stretch the younger ones, giving many of them two ministries and additional responsibilities.
The younger ministers will progressively take over more responsibility for governing Singapore. After this reshuffle, they will head two thirds of the ministries (except for Transport, Health, Defence, Home Affairs and Law). The leadership transition taking place in the next few years is well underway.
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ESM Goh wants 4th-Gen PM to be picked this year but PM Lee tells him off
Had a good, warm chat with former Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, Dr Tayebnia. He is our first LKY Exchange Fellow from Iran. I recalled my two visits to Iran fondly, the first as Prime Minister and the second, as Senior Minister. Both of us now 'watch' things happen, and coincidentally share a common title. He serves as Senior Advisor to his President while I serve as Senior Advisor to MAS! --- gct
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Not sure if fake but good points nevertheless
Excellent read written by my retired Friend. .... Seven pieces of advice Mahathir probably gave to Hsien Loong on his short visit to the comeback man in Putrajaya:
- Next time when you partying with your new friends, don’t forget your old friends outside the gates. When you were eating Durians with Najib and Rosmah you did not even pay a visit to the old man Mahathir to say hello? Well I guess I was a pariah and you did not want to be associated with me. I understand. But good and insightful politicians never assume fallen leaders people can’t make a comeback. So don’t just visit me or Anwar, make time for Najib later after all he is still your Friend is he not and who says he can’t make a comeback? Look at what I have done at 92. Najib still has some years to go.
- There is no need to wear a batik shirt and smile all the time when you come to congratulate me. We are both PMs and are equal in status. If you are filled with humility and respect it will show in other ways so no need to put it on show. I did not care much for your father and disagreed with his policies but I respected him for his firm resolve and standing up to other countries when it mattered. He was a true leader and had balls.
- Be wise in placing your bets and if you lose it is Ok but never do a Tony Fernandez. When your horse doesn’t come in don’t go around telling people it was a mistake or you were forced to make the bet. People will lose respect for you. Don’t forget the same horse may win the next race. I am a good example.
- Choose your cabinet ministers wisely. Scholars and Generals may be fine in intellect but are they leaders with courage and conviction who care enough for the Rakyat? Look at my team. Many have been imprisoned, persecuted and ostracised by BN and their henchmen but they stayed and fought for the Rakyat. Guan Eng has done wonders for Penang. He was jailed twice but he had steel in him. He did not migrate but stayed on to fight because he believed in Malaysia. Now that’s what I call true leaders of the people not those who have high IQs and come out with fantastic income generating policies that contribute to GDP and GNP but with no real benefit for the Rakyat.
- Choose men and women with backbones. Don’t choose people who always say yes to you. Look at Khairy, BN’s former Youth Minister. He is an Oxford grad and highly intelligent. But what did he do when BN was thrown out? He said “Oh we should have spoken out and it was a mistake not to tell Najib that his policies were wrong, etc.” What bullshit! He had no guts to say no to Najib because he was a Yes man and enjoying all the perks of a Minister. You know what happens when you have Yes men in your cabinet? They think only of themselves. Like Judas they will disown you when the chips are down because now they hope they will be absolved of their past crimes.
- Always remember to govern your country with a paramount emphasis on the rule of law. I admit I did not do so in the past when I was PM and that was a bad mistake. When you politicise the police, the attorney general, the civil service, heads of statutory boards, etc, they take the liberty of enforcing your rule with strong-armed and undemocratic tactics and practices. That is not only wrong but harms your integrity, your people’s integrity and the reputation of your country. The world distrusted us because of it. I realised this when I was in the wilderness and part of the Rakyat.
- Don’t get your wife too involved in the affairs of the state. Look at Rosmah. She did not hold any official appointment but she did give orders to many government officials and they obeyed because she was the PM’s wife. Plus Najib was under her spell. Your Father was wise, your Mother played a very supportive role. I do the same with Siti Hasmah. She like your Mother are highly educated women but they stay in the background and are detached from any form of role that has a say in government, state investment or what to do with the state’s coffers.
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From Lim Lui Teo to Yaacob
