SINGAPORE: Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has described Singapore's political self-renewal system as well-balanced, with a good mix of very experienced ministers and new ones who have been gradually tested.

However, Mr Goh said he does not see the need for a third deputy prime minister for Singapore presently.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced several changes to his Cabinet on Saturday, including the appointment of top lawyer and Sembawang GRC MP K Shanmugam as law minister and second minister for home affairs.

He takes over from Deputy Prime Minister S Jayakumar at the Law Ministry.

Mr Lee also announced several promotions to senior minister of state and moved Manpower Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen to the Ministry of Education following Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam's relinquishment of the post to concentrate on the Finance Ministry.

Speaking to the media at the Kaki Bukit Town Carnival on Sunday, Mr Goh also emphasised the need to pay competitive salaries in order to attract the best talent from the private sector to join the government.

He explained that while the private sector is very challenging, entrepreneurial, and gives individuals the freedom to do what they want to advance their personal interest; in public service, people and the country come first.

"If the political leaders and civil servants are not well-paid, we don't attract the best into the public service, the best will go into the private sector," said the senior minister.

Kaki Bukit grassroots leaders have been sharing their views on the latest changes to Singapore's Cabinet with Mr Goh and Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim.

Dr Faishal said: "It's a very systematic and careful approach of leadership renewal. This is very good for Singapore because our ministers are very important as they pursue the directions for Singapore, and with such an approach, I have spoken to the grassroots leaders and they feel reassured of Singapore's future."

Political watchers and some Singaporeans have observed that no woman has been appointed to the Cabinet and no Malay MP has been promoted. Mr Goh said Singapore's system is not based on gender or race but the suitability of individuals for the ministries.

But he added that he believes it is a matter of time before a woman minister is appointed.

"Both Lim Hwee Hua and Grace Fu attend Cabinet meetings. So even though they may not be full ministers, they can give their views quite freely. In that sense, women are represented in Cabinet," said Mr Goh.

Turning to the appointment of a second minister for home affairs, Mr Goh explained that the Law Ministry does not stretch Mr Shanmugam.

He said it is usual that the law minister is given another appointment and he feels it is very good for Mr Shanmugam to have actual experience on how law impacts society.

In an email response, Law Society President Michael Hwang said he expects the close relationship with the lawyers' body and the government to continue under the new law minister.


- CNA/ac/so