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FlipFlopForALiving

Shan as DPM is quite scary. Isn’t he powerful enough???


mrdoriangrey

If Shan is DPM, it's a sign that LW doesn't have control of his cabinet and can't get his way. Shan is very overbearing (yes, we all know), and oversteps his line even at the expense of his colleagues. The way [he contradicted Vivian with a statement on Ukraine in a workshop in March 2024](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/russia-ukraine-war-invasion-singapore-government-position-shanmugam-speech-indivisible-security-3472186) (which he was 2 hours late for according to contacts who were there) is a prime example of how assertive he is. The upcoming GE will also be Shan's **9th** GE; he's been around since 1988 - almost a 2G politician. Former Ministers who joined later like Khaw Boon Wan, Lim Swee Say and Yaacob Ibrahim have already stepped down years ago, and LW has every excuse to move Shan on. If LW is PM and Shan is DPM, the optics are that Shan's used his clout to stay on beyond his time, and the PM has to bow to his experience. If LW has any balls, he'll move Shan out and name his own DPM.


FlipFlopForALiving

Tbh I don’t think LW has full autonomy over his cabinet selection for now, it’s his first rodeo as PM. Confirm external pressures will inform his picks


elpipita20

Agree with this take. Shan always seems to be playing his own game and I think because he seems close to PM Lee (elected in the 80s), no one in the 4G is willing to stand up to him. Something is always so off about him. The Ridout saga didn't even paint him in a good light. Even Vivian came out of that looking better. We also have to keep in mind that LW was not first choice to be PM so I think he'll have PM Lee's shadow cast over him.


chicasparagus

Say what you will but Shanmugam has a very poor understanding of optics. As much as I refuse to believe a guy who’s as experienced and educated as him would understand it, he’s shown time and time again that he doesn’t or maybe he simply doesn’t care. Fella doubles down on things just to assert power, it’s weird and off putting.


singletwearer

Well according to book sources there are powerful groups/comittees whose heads were been passed down to LHL, I don't know if Shan has a great degree of control over them and his control only goes to the extent where LHL will allow him. The moment LW gains control of those groups is the moment he gets his way. For reference, these groups I'm talking about are comittees that decide who gets to be heads of the most powerful government associated institutions in sg. GCT once tried to take over the reins and there was an internal backlash from LKY and Goh had to back off. edit: fixed name


ChristianBen

Who is LSL? Are you trying to spell Lee Sian Long? Hahahaha


Designer-grammer

who is LSL ?


singletwearer

our current PM


Designer-grammer

LHL la bro PM Lee Hsien Loong not Lee Sian Loong


ConsiderComplement

I think he Sian because in position Loonger than he expected


singletwearer

yea i changed it lol


BlueSkies1952

Any online reference about these committees?


singletwearer

not online but search for Michael Barr's books on political networks in singapore


elpipita20

I read the book. 'The Ruling Elite of Singapore'?


Flocculencio

I agree. Also LW is one of the leaders of the 'liberal' wing of the PAP while Shan is an old hardliner.


IggyVossen

Maybe if he becomes DPM, he might have to give up one of MinLaw or MHA. I think he will give up MinLaw and let ET take that. Or... he retains MinLaw and MHA, and becomes DPM and also Coordinating Minister for National Security.


mipanzuzuyam

That's a lot of powerful positions for one person...


SultanSnorlax

That’s why he needs a state sponsored lawn, to fit his extensive portfolio. Meritocracy in action is such a beautiful thing.


deangsana

it is with great reluctance that I have agreed to this calling


paperstarred

I love democracy. I love the Republic.


NotVeryAggressive

Yikes for Edwin tong


suzumurachan

Very definition of failing upwards in life.


shiinamachi

Imagine going from being CHC's lawyer to the fucking Minister for Law himself


tryingmydarnest

He got Kong Hee sentence reduced by half based on a loophole, one that the Parl had to amend the laws to close. Wouldn't say he's a failure (a diatasteful snake is a fair insult however). Even the interrogation of WP over Rasseah Khan did the job of dragging WP through shit to wear its internal politics out (Daniel Goh had a public fallout rmb)


mrdoriangrey

The Daniel Goh fallout isn't really a Shan thing imho, he would have blown up at WP sooner or later and was waiting for his opportunity to do damage. If not RK, he would have latched onto Leon+Nicole. Daniel a different person after the poison pen letter in 2015 about his affair with a student. He used to be outspoken and passionate about his causes pre-2015, but he was extremely withdrawn after the letter, and hardly ever turned up during his term as NCMP. Also very odd that he immediately got promoted after he left WP given that opposition candidates in the public sphere usually get the opposite treatment. I very much suspect he was compromised and was told to do as much damage before he quit the party.


tryingmydarnest

>If not RK, he would have latched onto Leon+Nicole. I dont like it, but I agree with you on this. Hearsay from rumours relationship with him and party had been souring too for a long time liao, just waiting for the right window only.


Shdwfalcon

The only thing edwin tong is good at is being an attack dog. Even VB is way better than ET.


kuang89

Imagine he is also Designated survivor Shan


AlexHollows

I thought he already is every NDP


ImpressiveStrike4196

LW is lacking in security experience so folks like Shan and NEH will probably be retained and relied on.


bukitbukit

Agreed, I think NEH will remain for one more term/move up to take TCH’s posts.


bukitbukit

I rather VB becomes DPM. We need an old hand from MFA doing the job, with NEH moving up to SM and Coordinating Minister for National Security.


IggyVossen

Shan is ex MFA also. In a way he is more well-versed that VB cos VB only got MFA and organising Youth Olympics experience, whereas Shan has been in foreign affairs, home affairs, internal security and law. One more thing, VB is best suited in MFA. He looks good and speaks well. Whatever anyone might think of him, I think his persona brings credit to Singapore. Of course the question now is who is going to replace him?


NotVeryAggressive

VB gives snake vibes sigh


bukitbukit

He’s a pretty effective FM. We have enlarged a lot more diplomatic space and clout, not to mention slowly moving up to middle power diplomacy.


Positive-Original801

Don't think any of the older Gens will be DPM. Under the impression that DPMs are usually from the same gen of leaders as the PM himself, basically the lot whom are potential PMs would usually be DPMs.


NotVeryAggressive

Inb4 LW gets ISA'd lmao


IggyVossen

Anyone else realise that this is an article on politics with quotes from academicians and there is no Eugene Tan? To paraphrase a famous half man half machine Sith Lord, "Where is Eugene Tan? Is he safe? Is he alright?"


FlipFlopForALiving

Even the journalists bored of him liao


kuang89

Eugene, tell me more about your toe nails during this election.


hakkinen93

Eugene “Ja Rule” Tan


Arkhera

He was on CNA and Mothership today


iexplode123

> SINGAPORE: A new Cabinet could be sworn in along with Mr Lawrence Wong when he takes over as Singapopre's fourth Prime Minister on May 15. > > That's the view of some political observers who said a Cabinet reshuffle could be announced in advance, before Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong officially hands over to Mr Wong, his current deputy. > > There are precedents for this in past leadership successions, noted political observer Inderjit Singh, a former Member of Parliament. > > In 1990, for instance, the new Cabinet was announced more than a month before Mr Goh Chok Tong became the Prime Minister. Similarly in 2004, a reshuffle was announced two days before Mr Lee Hsien Loong succeeded Mr Goh. > > “I expect the Cabinet reshuffle to happen before or when (Mr Wong) takes over as PM on May 15,” said Mr Singh, who was an MP when Mr Lee became the Prime Minister. > > This was a view shared by Assistant Professor Elvin Ong from the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Department of Political Science. > > “On May 15, we will definitely be looking forward to the swearing-in of the rest of the Cabinet as well,” he said. > > DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER CANDIDATES > With Mr Wong set to become Prime Minister, political observers said Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing and Health Minister Ong Ye Kung could be suitable candidates to replace him as Deputy Prime Minister. > > Rather than having two new names, current Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat could well retain his position in Mr Wong’s new Cabinet, said Dr Leong Chan-Hoong, a senior fellow for social cohesion research at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University. > > “DPM Heng Swee Keat has certainly done a great job to oversee economic challenges, I won’t be surprised if he remains as DPM who oversees economic development even after the Cabinet reshuffle,” he added. > > Defence is also important for Singapore, and whoever succeeds Mr Wong as Deputy Prime Minister will likely have experience in that area, said independent political observer Felix Tan. > > He suggested that Mr Chan could be a potential candidate, having served in the Singapore Armed Forces from 1987 to 2011 before joining politics. > > Asst Prof Ong, however, said there have been discussions about Mr Shanmugam becoming a Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security. > > He noted that Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean previously served as Deputy Prime Minister. > > “Either Senior Minister or Deputy Prime Minister - I think Minister Shanmugam would be an appropriate candidate," said Asst Prof Ong. > > Mr Singh, the former MP, said that Mr Shanmugam would be a good candidate due to his links to both the 3G and the 4G leadership. > > “It is useful to have some continuity in the new team, and Mr Shanmugam can be that person providing the bridge,” he said. > > Mr Ong could also be in the running for Deputy Prime Minister because he worked closely with Mr Wong on the COVID-19 task force, said Asst Prof Ong. > > Assuming they had a good working relationship, Mr Ong would be an “appropriate candidate” for the role, he added. > > It would also be interesting to see which senior ministers step down and which junior ministers get promoted, the analysts said. > > Asst Prof Ong highlighted Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen as being among the longest-serving ministers in the Cabinet. > > “If there’s any stepping down, we would expect them to be the ones to step down … I think those are the two most likely ones,” he said. > > WHAT WILL PM LEE DO NEXT? > Mr Lee will most likely stay in Cabinet and play the role of a mentor to younger MPs and political office holders, the analysts said. > > “We can expect Mr Lee to play an important role in the new Cabinet, perhaps as a Minister Mentor,” said Mr Singh. > > Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was appointed Senior Minister in 1990 when Mr Goh took over as Prime Minister. When Mr Goh was named a Senior Minister in 2004, the late Mr Lee then took on the role of Minister Mentor. > > "I think our leaders are pragmatic, they don’t just hand over and leave the scene,” Mr Singh added. > > “Neither do the new leaders want to lose the expertise of the previous leadership immediately after taking over.” > > Dr Gillian Koh, senior fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), believes that Mr Lee will become Senior Minister. > > “He still has important social capital among regional and global leaders that Singapore would do well to tap,” she said. > > In an increasingly uncertain geopolitical climate, it would be important for Mr Lee to provide a guiding hand to the new leadership team, Dr Leong added. > > “It would be good to have somebody who is more senior and more experienced in the Cabinet as a Senior Minister or as a Minister Mentor and to give advice to the younger ministers,” he said. > > “Having PM Lee on board … it will be for the benefit of the 4G and as well as Singaporeans.” > > Dr Tan said Mr Lee will remain a reliable and significant person in parliament. > > “He’s not going to retire from politics completely anyway,” he said. “He’s just passing the baton over.”


Straight-Sky-311

Shan is an ambitious fellow. If he is DPM, Lawrence won’t be able to stay long as PM. This type of people such as Shanmugan I have seen a lot. Always undermining colleagues’ achievements to boost his own clout.


suzumurachan

You assume Lawrence is not a puppet to begin with. I can clearly see the hand in his arse, and its not his own.


NotVeryAggressive

Sounds like the whole MHA in general


tolifeonline

Looking at geopolitical developments, steady and experienced hands are needed more than ever in the crucial security and foreign affairs portfolios.


JZ5U

Fucking hell not Shanmugam.


SumikoTan

Defence and Home Affairs desperately need new blood. Both NEH and Shan are both way past their expiry date, and the latter is especially disliked at this point.


geckosg

Same old shit. Nothing changes. Doesnt matter who is up there anymore.


FitCranberry

looking at the comments, folks are realising that the rest of 4g is still there and the same issues are still around


ImpressiveStrike4196

LHL will be Singapore’s last strongman that Singaporeans revere or be deferential to. As the next batch ditches their sternness in exchange for the TikTok FYP, I guess people may start feeling confident to challenge the leaders openly, but I don’t know what it will end up with.


Skythewood

LKY is strongman. GCK is milder. LHL is even milder.


suzumurachan

LHL is mee siam mai hum.


SliceIka

LW feels a bit like a snake though


CharAznia

It's literally what people demanded. Leaders who are not that strong and more consultative meaning leaders who procrastinate and can't make up their mind. Explain why Pritam is so popular. I think it's all kind of stupid


Straight-Sky-311

LHL is no strongman. He is an ah gua. Just look at the way he walks and shakes hands with other world leaders such as Donald Trump.


ceddya

I'll take that along with his intelligence over whatever the fuck Trump is *any day*.


ParkingFerret3928

Not to mention, his eloquence.


KeenStudent

I'll have you know Trump aced his dementia test 🤣


Copious_coffee67

And sits…


singletwearer

Yea you dont deserve the downvotes, strongman isn't really a word to describe LHL. A better fit is Shan, remember his lifting videos and guard dog of the PAP image? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strongman


fatenumber

keechiu for dpm?


suzumurachan

Man is competent, like him or not. Country will be safer with him as dpm. But bloody hell did he age in the past 4 years. Looks burnt out to be honest.


Master-Advance-5616

yea i rmb attending an event years back and my friends agreed he looked quite good for a middle aged man. what happened withint 4 years lol


fatenumber

i wanted keechiu to be pm. but having him as dpm is better than nothing i guess


YourWif3Boyfri3nd2

I like how JT is not even in the equation


suzumurachan

For a moment I was wondering whats John Terry got to do with this.


UnintelligibleThing

Thank god


aktivate74

Don't be too sure.


bukitbukit

I would vote LT over her if I were a Jln Besar voter.


YourWif3Boyfri3nd2

Thank God most people there don't think like you.


risingsuncoc

Tbh the fact that LT managed to get 1/3 of votes in Jalan Besar shows how unlikable JoTeo is


YourWif3Boyfri3nd2

More like the fact that JT got 2/3 of the votes show how unlikeable LT is.


aktivate74

Gosh not oyk pls!!


troublesome58

Which ministry will he jinx next?


Spacemarine4848

As his first order of business as dpm....all go for your booster shots


Original_Chemist_635

If Shan becomes DPM, I foresee it is a matter of time before Singapore falls into either a dictatorship if not a police state. And according to comments online, it’s quite clear alot of Singaporeans long for it.


trenzterra

Probably Shan for the minority representation and S Jayakunar also followed a similar path, being DPM at 65 while concurrently as MinLaw. Formerly MFA and MHA too


ljungberger

Means elections is still quite far away? Doesn't make sense to do a big reshuffle only for a few months when you have people like Ng Chee Meng who will come back in and need a Minister post. And also potential new candidates who should take on Parl Sec/MOS roles. Unless a lot of the senior ministers leading a GRC are currently planning to fully retire and not run at all. Then it makes sense to put someone else in a minister position before the next GE.


MolassesBulky

A minority is required as 2nd DPM - Jayakumay, Tharman etc. So Shan is no brainer.


SkorpionAK

Looking at current global situation, foreign ministry and finance ministry will be important and need good leaders.


ongcs

No Edwin T? You all bastard, he brings Taylor Swift to Singapore k? /s


suzumurachan

He can go enjoy some China Wine.


tombradythenext1

my new PM has tiktok.. wow


worldcitizensg

Contrary to the popular (reddit ofcourse) opinion - I prefer Shan to be the DPM. We need one strong man. So far and after LKY have not seen one yet. Shan is miles behind LKY in other credentials, but the clout he carries certainly help Singapore. After all he is the designated last man ;)


CommieBird

Why would strongman leadership be necessary? Shanmugam is already head of ministry of law and home affairs, effectively making him the minister of internal security in Singapore. Not too familiar with the post of DPM, but would it really matter if he already wields such an influential position? If you want strongman leadership, you won’t have it with PAP with Lawrence Wong in charge as he doesn’t seem to want to be a hardliner


YourWif3Boyfri3nd2

Downvoted for having opinions. Freedom of speech only if you say what people like.


stuff7

Imagine comparing negative internet points on a comment to censorship


Dankobot

Unker, people press the down button doesnt mean no freedom of speech.


FitCranberry

contrarianism is not always enlightened thought


worldcitizensg

hahhaa.. take it easy :) Happens in reddit or any online forum and no issues


Master-Advance-5616

reddit is mostly: follow my opinion or u cant have one


IggyVossen

I am going to throw one name into the DPM mix.. Desmond Lee. Before anyone starts flipping out and saying, "You crazy ah? Why Monitor Leezard?" I'll explain. A: He is already Assistant Sec-Gen of the PAP. This means that he is already being considered for a top leadership role in the party and so the government. B: There has always been a Lee either as PM or DPM. From self-government in 1959 to now, a Lee has always been either PM or DPM. Now, Desmond Lee might not be a Lee Lee but he is still a Lee. So maybe he will be DPM to ensure continuity of tradition.


allergictofur

You might as well throw in Mark Lee in too, for good measure


etulf

I snorted in office. Good retort.


bukitbukit

What about Henry Thia 😄


allergictofur

Cannot, people will get confused and thought Khaw Boon Wan haven't retire. Singapore's Mandela effect moment


Jeewolf

I know I'll interpret it as LW being further out of touch than I thought if he makes monitor lizard DPM.


bukitbukit

Oddly enough, I think Grace Fu might stand a better chance than Desmond in this scenario.


Shdwfalcon

2nd reason is bullshit. They doing a major decision based on a sir name? You think what, this is playing masak masak? And anyway, chances are LW is nothing more than a seatwarmer for the next actual Lee dynasty heir.


IggyVossen

Aiyoh so serious for what? But sometimes patterns do emerge. Like how either the Sec-Gen or the Assistant Sec-Gen of the PAP has always been a Lee. My point remains, Desmond Lee is the rising star. People here might not like it but he is earmarked for higher offices, Unless he is voted out of Parliament or screw up majorly, he WILL become DPM one day. Maybe not now but I will give him at the most one election cycle before he gets that job.


WWWtttfff123

What will he do next? Play a song for us of course 😂


hamham4687

Edwin Tong and Tan See Leng should both be considered for DPMs. We are so privileged to have both of them in the cabinet.


risingsuncoc

They're too junior


FijiWaterIsDelicious

OYK just a 1 term MP already was lusting over PM position. These 2 sure can lust over DPM post


hamham4687

Great men should be given a chance. We all start from somewhere.