S1E48: What PM Wong’s new Cabinet line-up signals for succession

The Straits Times Podcasts

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

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

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 taking on political office.

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.

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

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):

7:51 Are Ministers Ong Ye Kung and Chan Chun Sing the front runners for the other DPM spot?

10:16 On moving National Development Minister Desmond Lee to the Ministry of Education
11:25 A “bigger canvas” at the Ministry of National Development: Prof Tan on Mr Chee Hong Tat’s move
17:56 What does the post of Acting Minister mean?

22:53 A bumper crop of people with “political office holder potential” sets the scene for leadership renewal: Prof Tan

29:01 On Dr Faishal Ibrahim’s appointment as Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs

31:27 Will we see labour chief Ng Chee Meng back in government at a later time?

40:55 Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s role in this Government

Host: Natasha Zachariah ([email protected])

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by ST Video: Joel Chng, Marc Justin De Souza and Rubeen Raj

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Feedback to: [email protected]

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#tup #tuptr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chapters

1. What PM Wong’s new Cabinet line-up signals for succession (00:00:00)

2. The front runners for the other DPM spot (00:07:51)

3. On moving Min Desmond Lee to MOE (00:10:16)

4. Mr Chee Hong Tat’s move to MND (00:11:25)

5. What does the post of Acting Minister mean? (00:17:56)

6. Setting the scene for leadership renewal (00:22:53)

7. On Dr Faishal Ibrahim’s new appointment (00:29:01)

8. Will labour chief be back in Govt? (00:31:27)

9. SM Lee's role in this Government (00:40:55)