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SINGAPORE – Law and Home Minister K. Shanmugam has rejected speculation that he could occupy one of the top positions in the People's Action Party's (PAP) new central executive committee (CEC).
Who occupied the positions of first and second assistant secretary-generals (ASGs) last Sunday (Nov 11).
When the 14 elected and co-opted members of the CEC went on stage, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was flanked by Mr Shanmugam on his right and Chan Chun Sing Trade and Industry Minister on his left.
Mr Shanmugam is the next most senior MP after PM Lee. Some political watchers have also speculated he could be a deputy prime minister.
Mr Shanmugam said: "I can understand the speculation based on the subject of the conference and my relative seniority. rather than a deep understanding of how the PAP operates and how transition works.
"I have said on Sunday, in response to a question of the ASGs, that these matters have to be decided by the CEC, but that transition.
"So quite a bit of the breathless speculation may be off the mark."
The prime minister occupies the secretary-general post, which PM Lee has held since 2004.
The front runners for Singapore's next prime minister are expected to be given the post of ASG.
Sources say that the CEC's office-holders will be chosen in a matter of weeks, it is very likely to be made up – and consensus reached – on who the ASG, or ASGs, will be.
Deputy prime ministers Teo Chee Hean, 63, and Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 61, were first and second ASGs in the previous CEC. Both stepped down from the new CEC, which will lead the party into the next general election which has to be called by January 2021.
Co-ordinating Minister for Infrastructure Khaw Boon Wan, 65, who was party chairman, former minister Yaacob Ibrahim, 63, who was vice-chairman, and former minister Lim Swee Say, 64, also stepped down to make way for new blood.
At the party's elections on Sunday, 12 were elected to the CEC. The list, as released by the party:
- PM Lee, 66
- Mr Shanmugam, 59
- Chan Chun Sing Trade and Industry Minister, 49
- Culture, Community and Youth Minister Grace Fu, 54
- Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, 59
- Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, 57
- Minister and Environment Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli, 55
- Minister Indranee Rajah, 55
- Ng Chee Meng Minister's Office
- Education Minister Ong Ye Kung, 48
- Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin, 49
- Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, 57
They had received the most votes from about 2,000 executives gathered at the Singapore Expo.
Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, 59, and Manpower Minister Josephine Teo, 50, were co-opted, receiving the 13th and 14th highest votes.
It is understood that PM Lee and Mr Shanmugam were the first senior MPs. The others from Mr. Chan were alphabetically arranged.
Three names have been run for the first time – Mr Heng, Mr Chan and Mr Ong.
After Sunday's elections, Mr. Heng and Mr Chan for the ASG – and future PM.
The writing, they say, was in the background CEC had left Mr Ong's name in its own shortlisted choice of future key leaders.
The Straits Times had last seen how to be leaders in the leadership. Of the 19, seven names would be highlighted CEC's choice, ST had reported.
The seven were, in this order: PM Lee, Mr Shanmugam, Mr Chan, Ms Fu, Mr Gan, Mr Heng and Mr Masagos. Mr Ong's name was conspicuously absent.
In the previous CEC, Mr Ong had been co-opted, but on Sunday, he made it to the decision-making body under his own steam.
PM Lee had described "a major transition point for the party" and said the new line-up is a "major step forward in our political renewal".
The list of offices will be revealed after the new CEC meets and PM Lee said this will be followed up in the Cabinet line-up.
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