SINGAPORE, Sept 28 — The new Cabinet line-up, which will take effect on Thursday (Oct 1), will have three Coordinating Ministers - overseeing national security, economic and social policies, as well as infrastructure — as Singapore prepares for the next stage of nation-building.

For the first time, two ministries — Education, and Trade and Industry — will be helmed by two ministers each on equal footing, a departure from the past practice of having first and second Ministers in some ministries.

And the much-anticipated Transport Ministry appointment will go to Mr Khaw Boon Wan, who will also be one of three Coordinating Ministers.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announces his Cabinet lineup, September 28, 2015. — Ng Jing Yng/TODAY pic

These changes were announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana this afternoon.

Currently, there is one Coordinating Minister — Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, for National Security. He will retain this role, while relinquishing his Home Affairs portfolio. Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam will be the Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies, and relinquish his role as Minister for Finance. Both Mr Teo and Mr Tharman will remain as Deputy Prime Ministers, with Mr Teo standing in as Acting Prime Minister when Mr Lee is on leave.

Mr Khaw, who will relinquish his National Development portfolio, will oversee infrastructure as Coordinating Minister, to coordinate different aspects of urban planning and infrastructure provision. 

Two newcomers will take on the Ministry of Education as Acting Ministers. Former defence force chief Ng Chee Meng will be in charge of school matters, ranging from pre-school education, special education and primary, secondary and junior college levels. Mr Ong Ye Kung will be in charge of matters to do with higher education and skills, overseeing the Institute of Technical Education, polytechnics, private education institutes as well as upgrading and workforce training.

The Ministry for Trade and Industry will see current Minister Lim Hng Kiang in charge of trade, overseeing the Economic Development Board and Jurong Town Corporation, while Mr S Iswaran, currently Second Minister in the ministry, will be in charge of industry. He will oversee statutory boards such as the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, the Energy Market Authority, the International Enterprise Singapore and Spring Singapore.

Overall, there will be 20 full or acting ministers in the Cabinet, one more than currently. Nearly half of them were elected in the last three General Elections, and half are below the age of 55.

The new Cabinet will see the exit of Mr Lui Tuck Yew from the Ministry of Transport, who did not stand for re-election. Senior Minister of State (Trade and Industry and National Development) Lee Yi Shyan also asked to step down after the General Election.

Also stepping down is Mr Hawazi Daipi, who has been serving as Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower and Education. He announced he would be stepping down before the Sept 11 polls. — TODAY