PM Lee announces Cabinet reshuffle likely in early June

WASHINGTON - Singapore's upcoming Cabinet reshuffle is likely to take place in early June, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Friday (May 13).

The move is likely to see Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, PM Lee's successor, promoted to deputy prime minister.

PM Lee said the Cabinet changes were in the works and added that he expected them to be announced after his upcoming overseas trips.

He is scheduled to speak at the 27th International Conference on the Future of Asia, organised by the Nikkei business media group on May 26 and 27.

The conference will be streamed online and held in Tokyo, and is titled "Redefining Asia's role in a divided world".

"I am working at it. I had to focus on this trip, and I have another trip coming up in two weeks' time, going to the Nikkei conference," said PM Lee, who was asked by Singapore reporters for updates on Cabinet movements.

"But I am working at it and hope I shall be able to do it once I am done with my trips, which means early June," he added.

PM Lee was speaking after the Asean-US Special Summit in Washington, which ended on Friday.

PM Lee departs Washington on Saturday.

Last month, Mr Wong was announced as the top choice of Singapore's fourth-generation team of political leaders to head them, paving the way for him to be the country's next prime minister.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.