Fourth Lee Hsien Loong Cabinet

Fourth Lee Hsien Loong Cabinet

16th Cabinet of Singapore
2015-2020
Date formed1 October 2015
Date dissolved26 July 2020
People and organisations
Head of stateTony Tan
(1 October 2015 – 31 August 2017)
Halimah Yacob
(since 14 September 2017)
Head of governmentLee Hsien Loong
Deputy head of governmentTeo Chee Hean &
Tharman Shanmugaratnam
(1 October 2015 – 30 April 2019)
Heng Swee Keat
(since 1 May 2019)
Member partyPeople's Action Party
Status in legislatureSupermajority
83 / 100
Opposition partyWorkers' Party
Opposition leaderLow Thia Khiang
(1 October 2015 – 7 April 2018)
Pritam Singh
(since 8 April 2018)
History
Election11 September 2015
Legislature term13th
PredecessorThird Lee Hsien Loong Cabinet
SuccessorFifth Lee Hsien Loong Cabinet

The Fourth Cabinet of Lee Hsien Loong of the Government of Singapore was announced on 28 September 2015[1] following the 2015 general election on 11 September, and came into effect on 1 October 2015. The day after the election, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told the media that he would form the Cabinet within two weeks.[2]

There are seven new office holders, five of whom are newly elected MPs:[3]

Minister Ministry
Ong Ye Kung Ministry of Education
Ng Chee Meng Ministry of Education
Chee Hong Tat Minister of State for Health and Information and Communication
Koh Poh Koon Minister of State for Trade Industry and National Development
Janil Puthucheary Minister of State for Education and Communication and Information
Baey Yam Keng
马炎庆
Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
Amrin Amin
امرين أمين
Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Home Affairs and Health

In addition, there are three outgoing office-holders: Lui Tuck Yew, Hawazi Daipi, and Lee Yi Shyan. Lui Tuck Yew and Hawazi Daipi had both asked to retire before the 2015 general election while Lee Yi Shyan had asked to step down and return to the backbenches.[3]

Initial composition

Cabinet

Prior to the general election held on 11 September 2015, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew announced his retirement on 11 August. All other incumbent office holders successfully defended their parliamentary seats in the elections.[4]

The list of Cabinet ministers and other office-holders was announced on 28 September 2015. In a press conference, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said, "I have given heavy responsibilities to the next generation of Ministers. They will be stretched and tested. They have to prove themselves and must gel together as a team. Soon after the end of this term, we must have a new team ready to take over from me."[3]

Three veteran ministers were named Coordinating Ministers, each of them overseeing a handful of ministries.

Several other ministers will have a change in duties:

  • Vivian Balakrishnan – from Environment and Water Resources to Foreign Affairs.
  • K. Shanmugam – from Foreign Affairs to Home Affairs, while retaining Law.
  • Heng Swee Keat – from Education to Finance.
  • Lawrence Wong – from Culture, Community and Youth to National Development.
  • Masagos Zulkifli – from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to Environment and Water Resources.
  • Grace Fu – from the PMO to Culture, Community and Youth.

The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Trade and Industry will each have two full ministers, covering separate aspects.[3]

Composition of the Cabinet
Portfolio Minister Portrait Date
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
李显龙
Lee Hsien Loong 12 August 2004
Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat
王瑞杰
Heng Swee Keat 1 October 2015
Deputy Prime Minister 1 May 2019[5]
Co-ordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean
张志贤
Teo Chee Hean 1 October 2015
Senior Minister 1 May 2019
Co-ordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam
தர்மன் சண்முகரத்தினம்
Tharman Shanmugaratnam 1 October 2015
Senior Minister 1 May 2019

Co-ordinating Minister for Infrastructure
Minister for Transport

Khaw Boon Wan
许文远
Khaw Boon Wan 1 October 2015
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Ng Chee Meng
黄志明
Ng Chee Meng 1 May 2018

Minister for Communications and Information
Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations

S. Iswaran
எஸ். ஈஸ்வரன்
S. Iswaran 1 May 2018
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu Hai Yien
傅海燕
Grace Fu 1 October 2015
Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen
黄永宏
Ng Eng Hen 1 October 2015
Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung
王乙康
Ong Ye Kung 1 May 2018
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources

Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs

Masagos Zulkifli
ماسڬوس ذوالكفل
Masagos Zulkifli 1 October 2015
1 May 2018
Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan
விவியன் பாலகிருஷ்ணன்
Vivian Balakrishnan 1 October 2015
Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo
杨莉明
Josephine Teo 1 May 2018
Second Minister for Home Affairs 11 September 2017
Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong
颜金勇
Gan Kim Yong 1 October 2015
Minister for Home Affairs
Minister for Law
K. Shanmugam
காசிவிஸ்வநாதன் சண்முகம்
K. Shanmugam 1 October 2015
Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee
李智陞
Desmond Lee 11 September 2017
Second Minister for National Development 1 May 2017
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Thurai Rajah
இந்திராணி ராஜா
Indranee Rajah 1 May 2018
Second Minister for Education 1 May 2018
Second Minister for Finance 1 May 2018
Second Minister for Law 1 May 2018 – 30 June 2018
Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong
黄循财
Lawrence Wong 1 October 2015
Second Minister for Finance 22 August 2016
Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing
陈振声
Chan Chun Sing 1 May 2018
The names in bold are the surnames of Chinese persons, and the personal names of Indian and Malay persons (except for Vivian Balakrishnan and Tharman Shanmugaratnam, where they indicate surnames as well).

Sources: Transcript of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's Statement at the Press Conference on the new Cabinet Line-Up on 28 September 2015, Prime Minister's Office, 29 September 2015, archived from the original on 29 September 2015; Rachel Chang (29 September 2015), "PM names Cabinet aimed at leadership succession: Coordinating ministers will help tackle complex matters, mentor younger ministers", The Straits Times, p. A1; Laura Elizabeth Philomin (29 September 2015), "Five new faces to become office-holders", Today, archived from the original on 29 September 2015.

Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries

Desmond Lee, Mohamad Maliki Osman and Sim Ann were promoted from Ministers of State to Senior Ministers of State.

Reshuffles

Between 1 October 2015 and 1 January 2016

As of 1 October 2015 and 1 January 2016
Ministry Ministers Ministers of State Parliamentary Secretaries
Prime Minister's Office
Defence
Foreign Affairs
Home Affairs
Trade and Industry
Finance
Manpower
Transport
National Development
Communications and Information
Environment and Water Resources
Law
Health
Education
Social and Family Development
Culture, Community and Youth

Between 1 May and 11 September 2017

As of 1 May and 11 September 2017
Ministry Ministers Ministers of State Parliamentary Secretaries
Prime Minister's Office
Defence
Foreign Affairs
Home Affairs
Trade and Industry
Finance
Manpower
Transport
National Development
Communications and Information
Environment and Water Resources
Law
Health
Education
Social and Family Development
Culture, Community and Youth

Between 1 May 2018 and 30 April 2019

As of 1 May 2018 [7]
Ministry Ministers Ministers of State Parliamentary Secretaries
Prime Minister's Office
Defence
Foreign Affairs
Home Affairs
Trade and Industry
Finance
Manpower
Transport
National Development
Communications and Information
Environment and Water Resources
Law
  • Edwin Tong
    (Senior Minister of State; start 1 July 2018)
Health
Education
Social and Family Development
Culture, Community and Youth

Between 1 May 2019 and 26 July 2020

As of 1 May 2019 [8]
Ministry Ministers Ministers of State Parliamentary Secretaries
Prime Minister's Office
Defence
Foreign Affairs
Home Affairs
Trade and Industry
Finance
Manpower
Transport
National Development
Communications and Information
Environment and Water Resources
Law
Health
Education
Social and Family Development
Culture, Community and Youth


Summary

Name 1 October 2015 1 January 2016 22 August 2016 1 November 2016 1 May 2017 11 September 2017 1 May 2018 1 July 2018 1 May 2019
Cabinet Ministers
Lee Hsien Loong
Prime Minister
Teo Chee Hean
Deputy Prime Minister
Senior Minister
Coordinating Minister, National Security
Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Deputy Prime Minister
Senior Minister
Coordinating Minister, Economic & Social Policies
Coordinating Minister, Social Policies
Heng Swee Keat
-
Deputy Prime Minister
Min, Finance
Khaw Boon Wan
Coordinating Minister, Infrastructure
Min, Transport
Ng Eng Hen
Min, Defence
Vivian Balakrishnan
Min, Foreign Affairs
K. Shanmugam
Min, Home Affairs
Min, Law
Gan Kim Yong
Min, Health
S. Iswaran
Min, Trade & Industry (Industry)
Min, Communications & Information
Grace Fu
Min, Culture, Community & Youth
Chan Chun Sing
Min, PMO
Min, Trade & Industry
Lawrence Wong
Min, National Development
Min, National Development
2M, Finance
Masagos Zulkifli
Min, Environment & Water Resources
Ng Chee Meng
Ag Min, Education (Schools)
SMS, Transport
Min, Education (Schools)
2M, Transport
Min, PMO
Ong Ye Kung
Ag Min, Education (Higher Education & Skills)
SMS, Defence
Min, Education (Higher Education & Skills)
2M, Defence
Min, Education
Josephine Teo
SMS, PMO
SMS, Foreign Affairs
SMS, Transport
Min, PMO
2M, Foreign Affairs
2M, Manpower
Min, PMO
2M, Home Affairs
2M, Manpower
Min, Manpower
2M, Home Affairs
Desmond Lee
SMS, Home Affairs
SMS, National Development
Min, PMO
2M, Home Affairs
2M, National Development
Min, Social & Family Development
2M, National Development
Indranee Rajah
SMS, Law
SMS, Finance
Min, PMO
2M, Law
2M, Finance
2M, Education
Min, PMO
2M, Finance
2M, Education
Lim Hng Kiang
Min, Trade & Industry (Trade)
-
Lim Swee Say
Min, Manpower
-
Yaacob Ibrahim
Min, Communications & Information
-
Tan Chuan-Jin
Min, Social & Family Development
-
Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries
Heng Chee How
SMS, PMO
SMS, Defence
Maliki Osman
SMS, Defence
SMS, Foreign Affairs
Edwin Tong
-
SMS, Law
SMS, Health
Lam Pin Min
MOS, Health
SMS, Health
SMS, Transport
Janil Puthucheary
-
MOS, Communications & Information
MOS, Education
SMS, Communications & Information
SMS, Education
SMS, Communications & Information
SMS, Transport
Amy Khor
SMS, Environment & Water Resources
SMS, Health
Chee Hong Tat
MOS, Communications & Information
MOS, Health
SMS, Communications & Information
SMS, Health
SMS, Trade & Industry
SMS, Education
Koh Poh Koon
-
MOS, Trade & Industry
MOS, National Development
SMS, Trade & Industry
SMS, National Development
SMS, Trade & Industry
Sim Ann
SMS, Finance
SMS, Culture, Community & Youth
SMS, Trade & Industry
SMS, Culture, Community & Youth
SMS, Communications & Information
SMS, Culture, Community & Youth
Sam Tan
MOS, PMO
MOS, Manpower
MOS, PMO
MOS, Manpower
MOS, Foreign Affairs
MOS, Social & Family Development
MOS, Foreign Affairs
Zaqy Mohamad
-
MOS, National Development
MOS, Manpower
Amrin Amin
PS, Home Affairs
PS, Home Affairs
PS, Health
SPS, Home Affairs
SPS, Health
Low Yen Ling
PS, Trade & Industry
PS, Education
SPS, Trade & Industry
SPS, Education
SPS, Manpower
SPS, Education
Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim
PS, Education
PS, Social & Family Development
SPS, Education
SPS, Social & Family Development
Baey Yam Keng
PS, Culture, Community & Youth
SPS, Transport
SPS, Culture, Community & Youth
Sun Xueling
-
SPS, Home Affairs
SPS, National Development
Tan Wu Meng
-
SPS, Foreign Affairs
SPS, Trade & Industry
Teo Ser Luck
MOS, Manpower
-
Name 1 October 2015 1 January 2016 22 August 2016 1 November 2016 1 May 2017 11 September 2017 1 May 2018 1 July 2018 1 May 2019

References

  1. ^ Joy Fang (28 September 2015). "PM Lee Hsien Loong reveals new Cabinet line-up". Today. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015.
  2. ^ "PM Lee Hsien Loong says he will form new Cabinet over the next two weeks". The Straits Times. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d "Transcript of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's Statement at the Press Conference on the new Cabinet Line-Up on 28 September 2015". Prime Minister's Office. 29 September 2015. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015.
  4. ^ "Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew will not contest coming General Election". Channel NewsAsia. 11 August 2015. Archived from the original on 13 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.; "Meet PM Lee's New Cabinet". The Straits Times. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  5. ^ "Heng Swee Keat to be promoted to DPM in Cabinet reshuffle". Channel NewsAsia. 23 April 2019. Archived from the original on 23 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Ong Ye Kung and Ng Chee Meng promoted to full Ministers of education". AsiaOne. Asiaone. Archived from the original on 21 March 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  7. ^ Singapore, Prime Minister's Office (24 December 2018). "PMO | Changes to Cabinet and Other Appointments (Apr 2018)". Prime Minister's Office Singapore.
  8. ^ "PMO | Changes to Cabinet and Other Appointments (Apr 2019)". Prime Minister's Office Singapore. 23 April 2019.