Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam's popularity in recent times seems to have culminated in his new role as Coordinating Minister (CM).

The wannabe poet -- who even the opposition suggests is badass -- is joined by DPM Teo Chee Hean and Khaw Boon Wan as the three new CMs, taking up the role of Coordinating Minister of economic and social policies.

Teo and Khaw will oversee national security and infrastructure respectively. All three will oversee and guide the new ministers.

As compared to the other two CMs, Tharman's portfolio of economic and social policies is a massive one. Why? Let's examine.

A total of 16 ministries form the Singapore government. They are:

1. Foreign Affairs

2. Home Affairs

3. Defence

4. National Development

5. Environment and Water Resources

6. Community, Culture and Youth

7. Trade and Industry

8. Finance

9. Education

10. Health

11. Social and Family Development

12. Law

13. Communications and Information

14. Transport

15. Manpower

16. Prime Minister's Office (PMO)

With the exception of PMO, the rest of the 15 will try to fit themselves into the three umbrellas.

- Economic and social policies (possibly includes: Social and Family Development, Community, Culture and Youth, Trade and Industry, Manpower, Law, Finance, Education, Health, Communications and Information)

- National security (possibly includes: Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, Defence, Communications and Information)

- Infrastructure (National Development, Transport, Environment and Water Resources)

Note: Communications and Information ministry will possibly straddle between economic (new tech etc) and national security (the rise of new media).

That's like more than half the government under Tharman's tender loving care.

In PM Lee's speech, he mentioned that a key priority in the next term will be creating jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans and mentioned that the Ministries of Finance, Trade and Industry, Education and Manpower will be key.

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