Lawrence Wong made Singapore finance minister as Lee Hsien Loong reshuffles cabinet

In one of the biggest reshuffles of recent years, Wong will take over the finance portfolio from Heng Swee Keat, putting him among the favourites to become the country’s next leader

The reshuffle affects seven ministries. Chan Chun Sing becomes education minister and Ong Ye Kung becomes health minister. Heng retains his position as deputy prime minister

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Lawrence Wong is to be Singapore’s next finance minister. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:41pm, 23 Apr 2021Updated: 10:07am, 24 Apr 2021

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday named Lawrence Wong as the country’s next finance minister, signalling that the 48-year-old - the public face of Singapore’s Covid-19 response - may be among the favourites to become the country’s next leader after the previous heir apparent stepped aside.

Analysts said heavyweight new portfolios given to two other likely contenders to succeed Lee – Chan Chun Sing and Ong Ye Kung – meant they remained in contention for the job.

Lee’s retention of his most senior lieutenants in the important defence, home affairs and foreign ministries meanwhile underscored that he has no intent of rocking the boat while the Covid-19 crisis continues, the observers said.

Wong will take over the finance ministry from Heng Swee Keat, who earlier in April said he was stepping aside as prime minister-designate.

As part of that move, Heng, 60, relinquished the influential finance ministry portfolio but remains deputy prime minister.

Heng Swee Keat is stepping aside as Singapore’s prime minister-designate. Photo: Reuters

Wong’s change in portfolio was part of a major cabinet reshuffle with seven of the city state’s 15 ministries getting new ministers.