SINGAPORE — Just over a year after both entered politics and were immediately made officeholders in a new Cabinet lineup after the elections, Mr Ong Ye Kung and Mr Ng Chee Meng will be promoted to full ministers from Nov 1, the Prime Minister’s Office announced on Friday (Oct 28).

They will continue to jointly helm the education portfolio that they took over from Mr Heng Swee Keat after last year’s General Election. 

Both will also be promoted from Senior Ministers of State to Second Ministers in their other concurrent offices — Mr Ong, in defence; Mr Ng, in transport.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the promotions were part of the leadership renewal process — an issue that had been flagged as a major theme before the polls last year.

“Building a leadership team is one of my top priorities. These changes are part of the renewal process, to reinforce my Cabinet and get a younger team in place, ready to take over,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “I hope that Singaporeans will give them your full support, and work with us to take Singapore forward.”

In unveiling his Cabinet less than a month after the General Election last year, Mr Lee had said his successor was, in all probability, among the current ministers. Mr Lee, 64, had said previously that he would like to step down by 2020 and that he would like to hand over the reins to the next Prime Minister before he turns 70.

Mr Ong and Mr Ng have been widely touted as key members of Singapore’s fourth generation of leaders, alongside Mr Heng, who is Finance Minister, as well as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing and National Development Minister Lawrence Wong.

Mr Ong, who will continue to be in charge of higher education and skills in the Ministry of Education (MOE), said he was grateful for Mr Lee’s continued confidence in him and for giving him the opportunity to contribute to Singapore.

He wrote on Facebook: “Our common vision is a Singapore society that recognises and values a wide range of talents and contributions that goes far beyond academic grades, and which reflects the diverse interests and aspirations of our people. Our higher education system must offer the various options and pathways to develop such talents.

“In the coming years, we will continue to evolve our higher education system, broaden our concept of meritocracy, and uncover the lifelong learner in all of us.” 

Commenting on his promotion, Mr Ng, who will continue to overseeing schools in the MOE, wrote on Facebook that it has been a “fulfilling” year in service and thanked Mr Lee for his confidence in him.

“Together with Ye Kung, my MOE colleagues and our teachers, we will continue to build upon the good work done, equipping our young with skills for the future through a forward-looking curriculum focused on strengthening resilience and inculcating a ‘can do’ spirit, built upon sound values that has made Singapore what it is today,” he said.

Mr Ng added that he was also looking forward to further supporting Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan in realising the new transport master plan for Singapore.