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

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 Education11:25 A “bigger canvas” at the Ministry of National Development: Prof Tan on Mr Chee Hong Tat’s move17:56 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 #tuptrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.