Singapore PM Lawrence Wong appoints three new Coordinating Ministers and brings in nine fresh faces in wide-ranging Cabinet reshuffle anchored on renewal and national resilience. Image Credit – Lawrence Wong Facebook
By TENGKU NOOR SHAMSIAH TENGKU ABDULLAH
SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has unveiled a bold and forward-looking Cabinet lineup following his People’s Action Party (PAP) election victory earlier this month, blending experienced leadership with a record influx of new officeholders.
At a press conference Wednesday, Wong announced the appointment of three new Coordinating Ministers — K. Shanmugam (National Security), Chan Chun Sing (Public Services), and Ong Ye Kung (Social Policies) — alongside Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who retains oversight of the economic portfolio and now also climate change and population strategies.
The reshuffle includes the retirement of six senior officeholders, including Heng Swee Keat, Teo Chee Hean, and Ng Eng Hen, as well as promotions for four ministers and the inclusion of nine new political officeholders, one of the highest numbers in recent years. All appointments take effect from May 23, 2025.
Key Appointments and Promotions:
- Gan Kim Yong remains as DPM and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He also oversees climate change and population policy.
- K. Shanmugam appointed Coordinating Minister for National Security; retains Home Affairs; relinquishes Law to Edwin Tong.
- Chan Chun Sing becomes Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Defence Minister, replacing Ng Eng Hen.
- Ong Ye Kung appointed Coordinating Minister for Social Policies; continues as Health Minister.
Ministerial Movements:
- Desmond Lee moves to Education, replacing Chan Chun Sing.
- Chee Hong Tat shifts to National Development; relinquishes Transport.
- Jeffrey Siow appointed Acting Minister for Transport.
- David Neo appointed Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.
Other notable changes:
- Faishal Ibrahim promoted to Senior Minister of State and named Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.
- Edwin Tong takes over Law from Shanmugam; appointed Second Minister for Home Affairs.
- Tan See Leng becomes Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology in MTI; remains at Manpower.
- Masagos Zulkifli remains at MSF; steps down from Muslim Affairs portfolio, which now passes to Faishal.
Retirements: Veteran leaders Heng Swee Keat, Teo Chee Hean, Ng Eng Hen, Maliki Osman, Heng Chee How, and Amy Khor are retiring from Cabinet. PM Wong thanked them for their distinguished service, calling them “true servant leaders.”
New Faces and Leadership Renewal: A total of nine new officeholders have been brought into the administration:
- David Neo (MCCY)
- Jeffrey Siow (Transport)
- Goh Pei Ming (Home Affairs, Social and Family Development)
- Jasmin Lau (Digital Development & Information, Education)
- Dinesh Vasu Dash (MCCY, Manpower)
- Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (Foreign Affairs, Social and Family Development)
- Syed Harun Alhabsyi (Education, National Development)
- Goh Han Yan (Culture, Sustainability)
- Desmond Choo (Defence)
Policy Priorities and Continuity
Wong emphasized that the reshuffle aims to ensure continuity while preparing Singapore for future challenges — including global economic headwinds, evolving security threats, and rapid technological change. The Cabinet line-up is designed to deliver on key pillars of the Forward Singapore agenda, from economic resilience and clean energy to social inclusion and digital transformation.
“I have done my best to put together an effective government to take Singapore forward in these uncertain and turbulent times,” Wong said. “I ask Singaporeans to give me and my team your full support.”
The swearing-in ceremony for ministers and senior officeholders will take place on May 23, with Parliamentary Secretaries to follow at a later date.
- TNS News