Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, following a commanding win in the 2025 General Election, announced a reshaped Cabinet on May 21. He retained veteran ministers in key portfolios—finance, home affairs, foreign affairs, and trade and industry—to ensure stability during a time of global volatility. Alongside this continuity, his government has launched a wide-ranging leadership renewal across nearly all ministries, signaling a clear commitment to developing future leaders.
In a striking departure from precedent, Mr. Wong declined to appoint a second Deputy Prime Minister—a practice dating back to the 1980s. Instead, he introduced three new Coordinating Ministers: K. Shanmugam, Chan Chun Sing, and Ong Ye Kung. They will join Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong to form the core leadership team.
Leadership revamp across ministries
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that every ministry will undergo changes as part of his effort to broaden the exposure of political office-holders and prepare them for future leadership roles.
The reshuffle brings nine new appointments—the highest number in recent history. Seven of the new appointees are freshly elected Members of Parliament, while two have been promoted from the backbench.
Among the prominent shifts, Edwin Tong will take charge of the Ministry of Law, Chee Hong Tat will lead the Ministry of National Development, Chan Chun Sing will head the Ministry of Defence, and Desmond Lee will move to the Ministry of Education.
Labour chief Ng Chee Meng will leave the Cabinet to focus on his responsibilities at the National Trades Union Congress and his constituency work in Jalan Kayu, following his own request.
The government also promoted Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim to Senior Minister of State and appointed him as Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs. Officials explained that they saw the need to refresh the Malay/Muslim leadership—an area increasingly influenced by regional political dynamics—and to give younger leaders the opportunity to engage the community and advance shared goals.
Complete list of Ministers: https://www.pmo.gov.sg/-/media/PMO/PDF/Annex-A_Cabinet-Appointments-2025-pdf.ashx
The new faces
The new Cabinet will feature several fresh faces taking on significant responsibilities. Among them, Jeffrey Siow and David Neo will serve not only as Acting Ministers—for Transport and for Culture, Community and Youth respectively—but will also hold concurrent appointments as Senior Ministers of State. Mr. Siow will take on the finance portfolio, while Mr. Neo will serve in education.
Joining them is Goh Pei Ming, a former brigadier-general and chief of staff of the Singapore Armed Forces, who will be appointed Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Home Affairs. Dinesh Vasu Dash, the outgoing chief executive of the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), will become Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth as well as for Manpower. He will also serve as Mayor for the South East District.
Jasmin Lau, a former deputy secretary at the Ministry of Health, will be appointed Minister of State for Education and Digital Development and Information. Goh Hanyan, another senior former civil servant, will assume the role of Senior Parliamentary Secretary for both Sustainability and the Environment and for Culture, Community and Youth.
Also joining the new team is psychiatrist and former Nominated Member of Parliament Syed Harun Alhabsyi, who will be appointed Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and Education.
A cabinet to navigate the trade war
Facing rising global trade barriers and increased geopolitical tensions, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stressed the importance of stable leadership by keeping experienced ministers in critical roles like finance, trade and industry, foreign affairs, and manpower.
Mr. Wong will continue to personally oversee the Ministry of Finance, while Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong remains in charge of Trade and Industry. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan will remain Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Tan See Leng will stay at the helm of the Ministry of Manpower. Meanwhile, Mr. K. Shanmugam has been appointed Coordinating Minister for National Security, retaining his role as Minister for Home Affairs.
Analysts view the Cabinet reshuffle as a balance between maintaining institutional expertise and introducing fresh leadership.
