S'pore Cabinet reshuffle: The what's what and who's who

It came as a surprise to many when Singapore’s Prime Minister (PM) reshuffled his Cabinet three months ago, promoting six office-holders including three relatively new leaders, and creating a not-so-new Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).

More significantly, Grace Fu also became the second woman in Singapore’s history to be promoted to full minister.

The announcement came just 14 months after PM Lee Hsien Loong unveiled a major Cabinet shake-up, post General Election (GE) 2011 – the watershed election where the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) suffered its worst electoral performance in its years of ruling.

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While some have deemed it “timely and smart”, others have also criticized it “minimal”, even “superficial” changes, with an opposition party questioning if the Cabinet reshuffle could perhaps be a public relations (PR) exercise.

As our new political office holders assume their appointments and new ministries start their work proper on Nov 1, let us take another look at the Cabinet reshuffle that was announced three months ago.