Cabinet Reshuffle

I was expecting these changes in the later part of the year. Instead they were announced on Wednesday evening.

It was a smaller change than I expected. The PM has identified about 6 people in the last cohort of fresh candidates, who were elected in the GE, and promoted them. These are people he picked and brought into politics. He is building his own team of people in the Cabinet whom he trusts and relies on, as he should.

Sim Ann was the only exception as she was from an earlier cohort. She has been moved to MFA, presumably to understudy and take over the current Minister for Foreign Affairs. She has also been made the 2nd Minister at Home Affairs. These indications point to the fact that Shan will be stepping off some time soon, now that he has also been made a Senior Minister.

Ng Chee Meng’s appointment was a surprise. I didn’t think he would have moved up, especially since there is still a strong negative reaction to him. But I guess they owe him something. And this may be his last chance to prove himself, both as a Minister and as an MP.

I had expected some of the other younger Ministers to move up to take up more senior positions. To my surprise, they weren’t.

I expect the next reshuffle to be next year. Either the promotions of those in the earlier cohorts are going to happen then or they are not going to go anywhere.

We shall see.