Burning questions about upcoming 2018 Cabinet reshuffle, answered by PM Lee

So who is going to be the next PM?

Tan Xing Qi | April 21, 2018, 03:56 PM

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, where he spoke about Singapore's sustainability commitment among other important issues.

And at the close of the meeting, he spoke to the mainstream media on April 20, 2018, regarding the anticipated Cabinet reshuffle.

And the number one question on every Singaporean reporter's' mind? Will the PM front-runner emerge?

Read on to see whether PM Lee answered that question.

When is it gonna happen?

Next week. PM Lee told reporters that it's just a few days of suspense and hope they can bear with it.

Who goes where?

Short of being specific, PM Lee did say that all 16 ministries will see changes.

WOAH. That means all the ministries will have new ministers?

No. While there will be some significant changes, not all ministers will move. He added:

"Some of the key ministers, their portfolios will be adjusted, but basically staying in places where they still need time to continue to develop initiatives which they have started."

So can we know who is the next PM after the reshuffle?

PM Lee gave nothing away and said that he was confident that the 4G ministers were making progress in the selection of a new PM.

So non-committal. Then can he tell us more about what the 4G ministers are doing?

They will draft the government’s agenda for the President’s Address that will be delivered by President Halimah Yacob when Parliament is back in business on May 7.

Oh, I thought it's always been drafted by PM Lee?

Traditionally, for the past 30 odd years at least, PM Lee had a hand in drafting the address.

However, he told reporters that his involvement in the upcoming draft will be “the least of all”.

[related_story]

How important is this year's address?

They consulted PM Lee for advice and he described drafting the address as an "iterative process".

"Because to understand the issue is one thing and you have it all in your mind. But you have to be able to put it across in a compact way which is coherent and vivid and structured."

And since it's led by the young ministers, we can have a better sense of their thoughts and whether they make sense.

So it's draft number what now?

20.

H/T: The Straits Times, Channel NewsAsia

Top photo via MCI

 

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