How can I not talk about the new ministers of Singapore? Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced a big change to his cabinet this afternoon. Here are the changes and my reactions to them.
Deputy Prime Ministers: Teo Chee Hean, Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Seriously, do we really need not one but two assistants to the Prime Minister? Why does Mr Lee need two back-ups? What is he trying to state? He still needs more support?
Speaking of which, Tharman is the obvious choice to become the next DPM in the post-Wong Kan Seng (shall talk about him later) era. He has the brains and vision to be the second highest-ranking person in the government.
As for Teo Chee Hean, the probability of him taking over as Prime Minister in the future is even higher now with the latest reshuffle.
Defence Minister: Ng Eng Hen
Not much of a surprise. He is expected to be "transferred" to another ministry after a disappointing performance as Education minister. The Defence Ministry is no doubt his next destination.
Finance Minister: Tharman Shanmugaratnam
It's Tharman again! That is a brace for this guy. Let's see how much more hair will he drop from all the counting and calculating of figures.
Foreign Minister: K. Shanmugam
Not much of a surprise either since there are very limited choices in parliament. I thought Lim Hng Kiang would take over George Yeo aka the scapegoat for this post though.
Home Affairs Minister: Teo Chee Hean
From the armed forces to the police force, Teo would be a reliable bet for his new position. Wong Kan Seng would need to learn a thing or two from him.
National Development Minister: Khaw Boon Wan
Hahaha! The shortie Mah Bow Tan has been kicked out and replacing him is another unpopular shortie PAP minister! Khaw does not seem to be the best choice as housing minister though.
I wonder if he will be able to decrease HDB flat prices to as low as $8. Go google "khaw boon wan eight dollar" if you don't understand what I mean.
Law Minister: K. Shanmugam
Another Indian minister scores a brace! It is 99.99% expected that Shanmugam would continue to head the law ministry. As Law Minister, he has been rather "dormant" so appointing him as the schedule-packed foreign affairs minister was a wise move.
Health Minister: Gan Kim Yong
There is a high chance that Gan will screw up the healthcare system of Singapore like what Khaw Boon Wan did. Polyclinic prices are not going to go down because he took over the health ministry.
He needs to learn how to slim down first before becoming a health minister.
Transport Minister: Lui Tuck Yew
Raymond Lim is gone as well. Well, a good punishment for him anyway. Raymond (with the surname Lim) has been boasting about increasing bus and train frequencies every now and then when he was minister but we all know that he's lying.
Lui is a decent choice for this challenging job but I still think that he will not be able to resolve the ERP issue. MRT trains will still be equally packed in the near future.
Manpower Minister: Tharman Shanmugaratnam
It's a hat-trick for Tharman! I wonder if his salary will triple whilst holding three different portfolios in the cabinet.
Tharman will only be holding this position on a temporary basis. Expect this post to be taken over by someone else within the next three years.
Trade and Industry Minister: Lim Hng Kiang
No change. Lim is one of the few quiet ministers who prefer to shun away from the limelight. A good strategy indeed as he managed to keep his job without producing much good news.
Education Minister: Heng Swee Kiat
Who the hell is he? He was the former managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore and only joined politics at this year's elections. And now, he's going to become a millionaire minister!
Swee Kiat, you are damn Heng although I don't understand why the PM chose you.
Environment and Water Resources Minister: Vivian Balakrishnan
Vivian deserves to be given the boot as well but I guess he was given one last chance as he is still "young". Expect to see some creative yet sustainable proposals by him during his reign.
Information, Communication and Arts Minister: Yaacob Ibrahim
No comments.
Community Development, Youth and Sports (Acting) Minister: Chan Chun Sing
What the hell is this guy doing in the cabinet? He did not even contest a single election in his life and is now a minister (never mind the word 'acting")?
Two thumbs down for this appointment. The worst decision of all. Hope he will not follow Mah Bow Tan's footsteps in the future.
Ministers in Prime Minister’s Office: Lim Swee Say, S Iswaran
Lim Swee Say still holds the unglamorous title of minister without portfolio with a new partner this time. Iswaran, with his new appointment, looks set to be part of the PAP suicide squad in Aljunied GRC at the next elections.
Emeritus Senior Minister: Goh Chok Tong
The biggest joke has to be saved for the last. Now what is Emeritus Senior Minister? Why not call Fandi Ahmad as Emeritus Striker of the national football team then?
I shall exclude the ministers of state as those are just small-fry.
Lastly, I would like to say, George Yeo, you are not alone.
Deputy Prime Ministers: Teo Chee Hean, Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Seriously, do we really need not one but two assistants to the Prime Minister? Why does Mr Lee need two back-ups? What is he trying to state? He still needs more support?
Speaking of which, Tharman is the obvious choice to become the next DPM in the post-Wong Kan Seng (shall talk about him later) era. He has the brains and vision to be the second highest-ranking person in the government.
As for Teo Chee Hean, the probability of him taking over as Prime Minister in the future is even higher now with the latest reshuffle.
Defence Minister: Ng Eng Hen
Not much of a surprise. He is expected to be "transferred" to another ministry after a disappointing performance as Education minister. The Defence Ministry is no doubt his next destination.
Finance Minister: Tharman Shanmugaratnam
It's Tharman again! That is a brace for this guy. Let's see how much more hair will he drop from all the counting and calculating of figures.
Foreign Minister: K. Shanmugam
Not much of a surprise either since there are very limited choices in parliament. I thought Lim Hng Kiang would take over George Yeo aka the scapegoat for this post though.
Home Affairs Minister: Teo Chee Hean
From the armed forces to the police force, Teo would be a reliable bet for his new position. Wong Kan Seng would need to learn a thing or two from him.
National Development Minister: Khaw Boon Wan
Hahaha! The shortie Mah Bow Tan has been kicked out and replacing him is another unpopular shortie PAP minister! Khaw does not seem to be the best choice as housing minister though.
I wonder if he will be able to decrease HDB flat prices to as low as $8. Go google "khaw boon wan eight dollar" if you don't understand what I mean.
Law Minister: K. Shanmugam
Another Indian minister scores a brace! It is 99.99% expected that Shanmugam would continue to head the law ministry. As Law Minister, he has been rather "dormant" so appointing him as the schedule-packed foreign affairs minister was a wise move.
Health Minister: Gan Kim Yong
There is a high chance that Gan will screw up the healthcare system of Singapore like what Khaw Boon Wan did. Polyclinic prices are not going to go down because he took over the health ministry.
He needs to learn how to slim down first before becoming a health minister.
Transport Minister: Lui Tuck Yew
Raymond Lim is gone as well. Well, a good punishment for him anyway. Raymond (with the surname Lim) has been boasting about increasing bus and train frequencies every now and then when he was minister but we all know that he's lying.
Lui is a decent choice for this challenging job but I still think that he will not be able to resolve the ERP issue. MRT trains will still be equally packed in the near future.
Manpower Minister: Tharman Shanmugaratnam
It's a hat-trick for Tharman! I wonder if his salary will triple whilst holding three different portfolios in the cabinet.
Tharman will only be holding this position on a temporary basis. Expect this post to be taken over by someone else within the next three years.
Trade and Industry Minister: Lim Hng Kiang
No change. Lim is one of the few quiet ministers who prefer to shun away from the limelight. A good strategy indeed as he managed to keep his job without producing much good news.
Education Minister: Heng Swee Kiat
Who the hell is he? He was the former managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore and only joined politics at this year's elections. And now, he's going to become a millionaire minister!
Swee Kiat, you are damn Heng although I don't understand why the PM chose you.
Environment and Water Resources Minister: Vivian Balakrishnan
Vivian deserves to be given the boot as well but I guess he was given one last chance as he is still "young". Expect to see some creative yet sustainable proposals by him during his reign.
Information, Communication and Arts Minister: Yaacob Ibrahim
No comments.
Community Development, Youth and Sports (Acting) Minister: Chan Chun Sing
What the hell is this guy doing in the cabinet? He did not even contest a single election in his life and is now a minister (never mind the word 'acting")?
Two thumbs down for this appointment. The worst decision of all. Hope he will not follow Mah Bow Tan's footsteps in the future.
Ministers in Prime Minister’s Office: Lim Swee Say, S Iswaran
Lim Swee Say still holds the unglamorous title of minister without portfolio with a new partner this time. Iswaran, with his new appointment, looks set to be part of the PAP suicide squad in Aljunied GRC at the next elections.
Emeritus Senior Minister: Goh Chok Tong
The biggest joke has to be saved for the last. Now what is Emeritus Senior Minister? Why not call Fandi Ahmad as Emeritus Striker of the national football team then?
I shall exclude the ministers of state as those are just small-fry.
Lastly, I would like to say, George Yeo, you are not alone.
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