Singapore cabinet sworn in as PM Lawrence Wong vows to steer country through new world order

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pledged to chart a course through a world order he described as turbulent and uncertain, while promising a more consultative style of governance as his new cabinet was sworn in on Friday night.

Addressing 600 guests who gathered at the Istana lawn for the ceremony, Wong said that amid a turbulent world, “Singaporeans voted for a strong and stable government while re-electing opposition MPs in the constituencies they held”.

He described the result of the May 3 election as a “clear mandate”, with his People’s Action Party (PAP) returning to power with a “strengthened majority” from the last election.

“This outcome reflects the collective desire of Singaporeans in these uncertain times – you understood what was at stake, our vulnerability and our future. You chose leaders you could trust, a government you could rely on and a steady course for our nation’s next phase of development,” he said.

This will serve as a “clear advantage” for the country when conducting foreign policy, he added.

Earlier this week, Wong announced his new cabinet line-up, with key changes including former education minister Chan Chun Sing filling the defence spot, and two newly elected faces, former senior civil servant Jeffrey Siow and ex-chief of army David Neo, becoming acting ministers for transport and culture, respectively.