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

May 22, 2025

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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 (natashaz@sph.com.sg)

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

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