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. He has identified about 6 people in the last cohort of candidates in the GE and promoted them. These are people he identified and brought into politics. It is clear that he is building his own team of people in Cabinet whom he trusts and relies on.

Sim Ann was the only exception 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. The indications point to the fact that Shan will be stepping off some time soon.

Ng Chee Meng’s appointment was a surprise. I didn’t think they would move him 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. Strange.

I know the next reshuffle will be next year. Either their promotions are going to happen next year or they are not going to go anywhere.

We shall see.