<![CDATA[Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era]]>

jetsetter:
isetan:

[quote=\"jetsetter\"]
4. Strategic to promote Masagos as 2nd Malay full minister with the rise of Indonesia.

Jet setter,

Item 4. Is there any evidence that there is a rise from Indonesia ?

Unfortunately, evidently, nope; just a general sentiment based on varied reports. But it's awakening. Am sure you hv come across more analyst reports and news commentaries by political watchers on Indonesia’s positive economic outlook, after last year's GE which saw Jokowi coming to power.

1. If you've been following world news, you'd know Indonesia led by Jokowi has led a high-level delegation to Beijing last Nov to lobby for AIIB's HQ to be set up in JKT. Indonesia is one of ASEAN’s largest markets, has HUGE infrastructure requirements, and is geopolitically neutral. If this succeeds, wow... 😄

2. You must also hv read abt Jokowi's bold econ & anti-graft policies which have boosted global investors’ confidence in Indonesia. Indonesia’s econ trajectory is moving in the right direction. It's forecast to have the world’s 7th largest economy by 2030 (McKinsey report), and the 4th largest in 2040 (Citibank report), trailing only China, India and US.

3. Annual defence budget has increased (9% increase announced in Aug 2013). Word has it that it aims to increase defense spending to 1.5% of GDP by 2015, or a projected $14 billion. You just need to google to know Indonesia has made significant procurements since Susilo's admin: Sukhoi Su-30MK2s, F-16 and Su-35 fighters, Apache helicopters, German Leopard tanks. I dunno what they are, but they sure sound formidable! U see them flexing their military muscles too (the 2 warships naming).

4. Shift in foreign policy. You notice Indonesia since 1948 had been relatively passive i.e. it pursued a \"non-alignment\" position during the Cold War? It's increasingly playing a more assertive n confident role in the Middle East of late. Last yr, it signed a defense cooperation agreement with S.Arabia (a \"first\" with an Arab state!) on military industry cooperation, counter-terrorism and joint training. Indonesia also co-sponsored UN General Assembly Resolution on the statehood of Palestine. It's gotten more active in the global forum.

5. Did you recall Australian PM Tony Abbott'a famous election maxim, “More Jakarta, less Geneva”. Abbott has put Indonesia at the centre of his foreign policy in a way no other Aussie leader has.

6. Cabinet (coalition with Megawati tho) - It's younger, has women than any previous cabinet, and is also more secular. Notably, we see some strategic appts in Finance, Fgn Affairs, Education and Culture. Jokowi called it a Work Cabinet comprising managers and professionals. However, Jokowi's 100-day report card has not been positive 😞 This fella still has a lot to work on realpolitik and manage the party oligarchs and cronies.

7. Geopolitics: US & Indonesia - Obama visited JKT (under Susilo BB) in 2010. He met the new Prez Jokowi at APEC last Nov, during which Obama and Jokowi discussed security and other issues. Obama invited Jokowi to visit Washington this year, likely early June. Jokowi is among at least 4 Asian leaders (Jap, Kor, China) that Obama is hosting this year.

China & Indonesia - All these years, Indonesia's played a \"broker and neutral mediator\" role in territorial disputes btw China and its South China sea neighbours. BUT, China’s recent inclusion of the Natuna region in newly sanctioned maps and Chinese passports plus unilateral claims on parts of Riau province isles, has sorta awakened Indonesia which now finds itself the latest \"victim\". A tweaked foreign policy to protect Indonesia’s territorial integrity is in the works 😛


So to bring this back to our own Cabinet...in that sense, it's strategic to include 1 more Malay full minister (assuming Yaacob stays after next GE).[/quote]Thanks Jetsetter,

Your awareness on the regional happenings and frontage news is deep and knowledgeable!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/82517/cabinet-reshuffle-2015-post-lky-eraRSS for NodeThu, 23 Apr 2026 19:28:18 GMTThu, 09 Apr 2015 10:18:22 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Thu, 09 Apr 2015 04:12:07 GMT]]>

jetsetter:
janet88:

I like Mr Yaacob Ibrahim. He has this very approachable and friendly look.


With the revamp, some ministers are having heavier responsibilities and the change of portfolio will take time to adjust.

Thing is, your Mr friendly guy made some blunders (BBC interview gaffe) and provoked the ire of many civil activists and vigilantes who wanted to #FreeMyInternet.

u remember that interview too? :evil:

hey you need to read the right time man

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487206https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487206Thu, 09 Apr 2015 04:12:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Thu, 09 Apr 2015 02:58:05 GMT]]>

janet88:
I like Mr Yaacob Ibrahim. He has this very approachable and friendly look.


With the revamp, some ministers are having heavier responsibilities and the change of portfolio will take time to adjust.
Thing is, your Mr friendly guy made some blunders (BBC interview gaffe) and provoked the ire of many civil activists and vigilantes who wanted to #FreeMyInternet.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487174https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487174Thu, 09 Apr 2015 02:58:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Thu, 09 Apr 2015 02:50:38 GMT]]>

dimsum:
jetsetter:

[quote=\"starlight1968sg\"]What are the implications/signals?


1. Seat warming for some (before GE2016) as part of succession planning - old ministers must stay till next GE2016 to support PM

Signal: East Coast GRC is in a very dangerous position. Perhaps that is why LSS (whom I thought will retire soon) is now asked to helm MOM?[/quote]Bear in mind LSS is 61 this year. By 2016, he'll be 62.

I see this move as part of someone's seat warming (Item 1) strategy, as the slated one(s) haven't come onboard (due to loss of 4 potential office holders in the last election - GY (Fgn Min), LHH (first lady Full Min, PMO), ZA Rasheed (supposed to be Dep Speaker of Parl but had to give to Palmer) and Ong Ye Kung (4th gen leader).

When they eventually get elected, maybe, just maybe...Ong Ye Kung might take over MOM, as he was in HR sector (WDA CE) as well as labour movement (NTUC) for quite a while before the GE defeat. But he has some exec roles in some trade unions, so there're conflicts of interest there to be ironed out.

If he doesn't, then the next likely candidate I predict, would be Josephine Teo (HR Director of EDB and A*star, plus NTUC). Then maybe, Ong Ye Kung can move over to MTI (cos he played a mega role in US-SIN FTA agreement alongside Ambassador-at-large Prof Tommy Koh last time).

It's time for Lim Hng Kiang to flow on, cos he's from the same batch as TCH, GY, LHL...a bit old liao...But MTI is a mega ministry with 10 \"Firefly agencies\" that bring revenue into Singapore: EDB, IES, STB, JTC and others like A*STAR, EMA, SPRING, CCS, and I forgot who else. Can be rather daunting for Ong who only worked as a director under GY who was MTI minister last time.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487171https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487171Thu, 09 Apr 2015 02:50:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Thu, 09 Apr 2015 02:38:50 GMT]]>

dimsum:
jetsetter:

[quote=\"dimsum\"]What does Minister in PMO do? Is there a need for two FULL ministers in PMO?

Looks like demotion to me for CCS.

There are more than 2 Ministers in PMO currently.

Mr Lim Swee Say (Minister, PMO until 3 May 2015)

Mr S Iswaran (Minister, PMO, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Trade and Industry)

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien (Minister, PMO, Minister i/c of MSO, Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs)

Mr Chan Chun Sing (Minister, PMO)

Mr Masagos Zulkifli (Minister, PMO, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs)

.

Thanks for sharing, JS. You are really very familiar with the operations
:evil: So for full Ministers in PMO, am I right that the total number is increased from current 3 to 4?[/quote]Looks to me we have 4, if we exclude outgoing LSS who will helm MOM come 4 May.

We usually hv 3...like Lim Boon Heng, Lim Hwee Hua...all of them stepped down/ousted.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487166https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487166Thu, 09 Apr 2015 02:38:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Thu, 09 Apr 2015 02:35:37 GMT]]>

isetan:
jetsetter:


4. Strategic to promote Masagos as 2nd Malay full minister with the rise of Indonesia.

Jet setter,

Item 4. Is there any evidence that there is a rise from Indonesia ?

Unfortunately, evidently, nope; just a general sentiment based on varied reports. But it's awakening. Am sure you hv come across more analyst reports and news commentaries by political watchers on Indonesia’s positive economic outlook, after last year's GE which saw Jokowi coming to power.

1. If you've been following world news, you'd know Indonesia led by Jokowi has led a high-level delegation to Beijing last Nov to lobby for AIIB's HQ to be set up in JKT. Indonesia is one of ASEAN’s largest markets, has HUGE infrastructure requirements, and is geopolitically neutral. If this succeeds, wow... 😄

2. You must also hv read abt Jokowi's bold econ & anti-graft policies which have boosted global investors’ confidence in Indonesia. Indonesia’s econ trajectory is moving in the right direction. It's forecast to have the world’s 7th largest economy by 2030 (McKinsey report), and the 4th largest in 2040 (Citibank report), trailing only China, India and US.

3. Annual defence budget has increased (9% increase announced in Aug 2013). Word has it that it aims to increase defense spending to 1.5% of GDP by 2015, or a projected $14 billion. You just need to google to know Indonesia has made significant procurements since Susilo's admin: Sukhoi Su-30MK2s, F-16 and Su-35 fighters, Apache helicopters, German Leopard tanks. I dunno what they are, but they sure sound formidable! U see them flexing their military muscles too (the 2 warships naming).

4. Shift in foreign policy. You notice Indonesia since 1948 had been relatively passive i.e. it pursued a \"non-alignment\" position during the Cold War? It's increasingly playing a more assertive n confident role in the Middle East of late. Last yr, it signed a defense cooperation agreement with S.Arabia (a \"first\" with an Arab state!) on military industry cooperation, counter-terrorism and joint training. Indonesia also co-sponsored UN General Assembly Resolution on the statehood of Palestine. It's gotten more active in the global forum.

5. Did you recall Australian PM Tony Abbott'a famous election maxim, “More Jakarta, less Geneva”. Abbott has put Indonesia at the centre of his foreign policy in a way no other Aussie leader has.

6. Cabinet (coalition with Megawati tho) - It's younger, has women than any previous cabinet, and is also more secular. Notably, we see some strategic appts in Finance, Fgn Affairs, Education and Culture. Jokowi called it a Work Cabinet comprising managers and professionals. However, Jokowi's 100-day report card has not been positive 😞 This fella still has a lot to work on realpolitik and manage the party oligarchs and cronies.

7. Geopolitics: US & Indonesia - Obama visited JKT (under Susilo BB) in 2010. He met the new Prez Jokowi at APEC last Nov, during which Obama and Jokowi discussed security and other issues. Obama invited Jokowi to visit Washington this year, likely early June. Jokowi is among at least 4 Asian leaders (Jap, Kor, China) that Obama is hosting this year.

China & Indonesia - All these years, Indonesia's played a \"broker and neutral mediator\" role in territorial disputes btw China and its South China sea neighbours. BUT, China’s recent inclusion of the Natuna region in newly sanctioned maps and Chinese passports plus unilateral claims on parts of Riau province isles, has sorta awakened Indonesia which now finds itself the latest \"victim\". A tweaked foreign policy to protect Indonesia’s territorial integrity is in the works 😛


So to bring this back to our own Cabinet...in that sense, it's strategic to include 1 more Malay full minister (assuming Yaacob stays after next GE).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487163https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487163Thu, 09 Apr 2015 02:35:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Wed, 08 Apr 2015 15:02:50 GMT]]>

jetsetter:
starlight1968sg:

What are the implications/signals?


1. Seat warming for some (before GE2016) as part of succession planning - old ministers must stay till next GE2016 to support PM
2. \"Shorthanded\" for the time being, hence the double hatting here and there. Need more talent to join the ranks.
3. Too many young ministers. Need time to acclimatise/groom/cultivate relationship with whoever (foreign counterparts)
4. Strategic to promote Masagos as 2nd Malay full minister with the rise of Indonesia. He's from humble background. Very nice chap.

Jet setter,

Item 4. Is there any evidence that there is a rise from Indonesia ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487040https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487040Wed, 08 Apr 2015 15:02:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:37:50 GMT]]>I like Mr Yaacob Ibrahim. He has this very approachable and friendly look.


With the revamp, some ministers are having heavier responsibilities and the change of portfolio will take time to adjust.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487037https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487037Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:37:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:25:27 GMT]]>

jetsetter:
starlight1968sg:

What are the implications/signals?


1. Seat warming for some (before GE2016) as part of succession planning - old ministers must stay till next GE2016 to support PM
2. \"Shorthanded\" for the time being, hence the double hatting here and there. Need more talent to join the ranks.
3. Too many young ministers. Need time to acclimatise/groom/cultivate relationship with whoever (foreign counterparts)
4. Strategic to promote Masagos as 2nd Malay full minister with the rise of Indonesia. He's from humble background. Very nice chap.

Signal: East Coast GRC is in a very dangerous position. Perhaps that is why LSS (whom I thought will retire soon) is now asked to helm MOM?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487031https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487031Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:25:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:15:53 GMT]]>

jetsetter:
dimsum:

What does Minister in PMO do? Is there a need for two FULL ministers in PMO?

Looks like demotion to me for CCS.

There are more than 2 Ministers in PMO currently.

Mr Lim Swee Say (Minister, PMO until 3 May 2015)

Mr S Iswaran (Minister, PMO, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Trade and Industry)

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien (Minister, PMO, Minister i/c of MSO, Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs)

Mr Chan Chun Sing (Minister, PMO)

Mr Masagos Zulkifli (Minister, PMO, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs)

.

Thanks for sharing, JS. You are really very familiar with the operations
:evil: So for full Ministers in PMO, am I right that the total number is increased from current 3 to 4?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487027https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487027Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:15:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:49:14 GMT]]>

starlight1968sg:
What are the implications/signals?

1. Seat warming for some (before GE2016) as part of succession planning - old ministers must stay till next GE2016 to support PM
2. \"Shorthanded\" for the time being, hence the double hatting here and there. Need more talent to join the ranks.
3. Too many young ministers. Need time to acclimatise/groom/cultivate relationship with whoever (foreign counterparts)
4. Strategic to promote Masagos as 2nd Malay full minister with the rise of Indonesia. He's from humble background. Very nice chap.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487017https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487017Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:49:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:44:17 GMT]]>Demotion or not I dunno…But it’s a certainly big hat to wear for ex-COD. He’s cut for that kind of job to mingle with blue collar workers and of course increasingly more PMEs these days, coming from a humble background (single parent - mom washer woman).


He can connect with the ground/ working class, I’m sure. U need someone w grit, guts and gumption to tame and woo those trade unionists. More imptly, u need someone who speak their Hokkien language like "kee chiu" does.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487016https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487016Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:44:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:38:55 GMT]]>

dimsum:
What does Minister in PMO do? Is there a need for two FULL ministers in PMO?

Looks like demotion to me for CCS.
There are more than 2 Ministers in PMO currently.

Mr Lim Swee Say (Minister, PMO until 3 May 2015)

Mr S Iswaran (Minister, PMO, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Trade and Industry)

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien (Minister, PMO, Minister i/c of MSO, Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs)

Mr Chan Chun Sing (Minister, PMO)

Mr Masagos Zulkifli (Minister, PMO, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs)

And other office-holders are:

Mr Heng Chee How (Senior Minister of State, PMO)

Mr Sam Tan (Minister of State, PMO)


+++

There are A LOT OF THINGS to oversee under PMO. These guys provide support to PM by helping to coordinate inter-ministries activities and whole-of-govt policies and chart overall policy direction.

Don't forget there are 2 stat boards: MAS and CSC are under PMO directly.

And many depts like CPIB, PSC, Elections Dept, NPTD, NSCS and NRF.

PM needs these Ministers to cover him from time to time too. Like Grace Fu will take charge of national population and Municipal Services Office (remember her new hat after NDR 2014 to look into the fishball stick along the pavement?).

And by default, another Minister will be the Labour Chief of NTUC like Lim SS will be succeeded by CCS effective 4 May. PM needs eyes and ears among the trade unions, so we won't hv industrial confrontation but collaboration.

PSC already covers a lot of responsibilities from Admin service, Com & Ben, scholarships, PS21.

CSC will take care of all T&D matters within the ENTIRE civil service.

Someone needs to eyeball a VERY IMPT stat board - MAS, like liaise with int'l/fgm financial orgs.

NSCS is somewhat like our \"CIA\"/\"CTU\" - counter terrorism, intelligence...which coordinates efforts of Mindef, SPF and ISD. That's why Benny Lim was pulled over to PMO.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487014https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487014Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:38:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:26:28 GMT]]>What are the implications/signals?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487002https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1487002Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:26:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Cabinet Reshuffle 2015 - Post-LKY era on Wed, 08 Apr 2015 11:36:44 GMT]]>What does Minister in PMO do? Is there a need for two FULL ministers in PMO?

Looks like demotion to me for CCS.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1486974https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1486974Wed, 08 Apr 2015 11:36:44 GMT