Mr Teo Chee Hean - Deputy PM, Home Affairs Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security
Mr Teo is a capable minister who has performed well throughout his years in politics and I am confident he will continue to do so.
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam - Deputy PM and Minister for Finance, and Manpower, and Chairman of MAS
Mr Shanmugaratnam is one of the most capable and qualified ministers, having handled himself very well during the TV debate. He has also kept out of controversies by choosing his words carefully and treating residents with proper respect. He may be a potential successor to PM Lee.
Mr Lim Swee Say - Minister in PM's Office
I don't know why this joker is still around. A complete waste of taxpayers' money.
Mr S Iswaran - Second Minister for Trade & Industry, and Home Affairs
Mr Iswaran is an underdog who is generally well-regarded and affable. He should have little problem with his new duties.
Dr Ng Eng Hen - Minister for Defence
Dr Ng had a relatively uneventful ride at MOE, except for the issue over Mother Tongue weightage in the PSLE. He quickly backed down after an outcry. Dr Ng will find little more breathing room in Mindef, where he might face increasing scrutiny over SAF deaths and the oversized defence budget.
Mr K Shanmugam - Minister for Law, and Foreign Affairs
I'm not too sure about his experience in diplomacy, but Mr Shanmugam needs to buck up on his performance after coming under some criticism over the mandatory death penalty and the clemency process. His handling of the Thaipusam noise regulations was also poor and created unnecessary tensions. The independence of the judiciary will also come under scrutiny if defamation suits are filed by PAP leaders in the future.
Mr Lim Hng Kiang - Minister for Trade & Industry
Mr Lim has always stayed out of the spotlight, but may not remain so for long. The debate arising over Mr Tan Jee Say's arguments against manufacturing will force Mr Lim to relook his priorities with regards to the promotion of industry sectors like services and justify them more forcefully in Parliament.
Mr Lui Tuck Yew - Minister for Transport
Mr Lui has been frequently criticised for his regimental style and inflexibility. But he needs to get rid of them if he is going to make serious changes to our overburdened transport system. A more humble approach would be advisable.
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim - Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts
Dr Yaacob survived because he is the only Malay full minister in the cabinet. His poor and lacklustre leadership in the handling of the floods makes it difficult to trust his competency in his new portfolio. He is unlikely to ease censorship and reform other obsolete licensing rules.
Mr Khaw Boon Wan - Minister for National Development
I am surprised that he volunteered for the job. Cleaning up the huge mess left behind by Mah Bow Tan is a daunting task. It remains to be seen if he can fulfill Singaporeans' expectations by reducing housing prices and increasing the supply of new HDB flats. Mr Khaw will be one of the most scrutinised in Parliament, especially by the WP MPs.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan - Minister for the Environment and Water Resources
An obvious demotion for Dr Balakrishnan. Having messed up badly at MCYS, he has been pushed to one of the Cabinet's dead end jobs and is lucky to even remain as a minister. If any floods occur in the future (and they will), expect him to be blasted with public criticism.
Mr Gan Kim Yong - Minister for Health
Mr Gan did not control the entry of foreign workers into Singapore properly, being too liberal in the issuance of permits and other approvals. He also did not take harsh action on employers who abused their workers or sacked pregnant women. But he has another chance to prove himself by helping to increase hospital capacity, control health costs and reduce waiting times. With Singapore's ageing population, he has his work cut out for him.
Mr Heng Swee Kiat - Minister for Education
He really needs to prove himself worthy of the post, being a newbie to Parliament itself. Mr Heng has to reform the "teach less, learn more" concept that has become astray and needs to reduce the pressure on our children. The excessive dependence on tuition must be checked and less emphasis made on academic paper qualifications in defining intelligence and progress.
Mr Chan Chun Sing- Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports
An odd portfolio, considering how he carried himself throughout the election period. But if he's willing to cut the "Ah Beng" attitude and the "Lanfang Republic" analogies and focus on our needy and desperate citizens, I'm willing to give him a chance. Besides, he has a capable Minister of State, Mdm Halimah Yaacob to mentor him. Better take her advice.
Overall, PM Lee has made some much needed changes to his Cabinet, but whether it goes far enough is up for debate. Singaporeans must continue to scrutinise each and every move that ministers make. There will be no more tolerance of further policy mistakes.
1 comment:
Trust me, Chan Chun Sing is a dud, ask anyone who worked with him in the army
Post a Comment