At this typical juncture of a Cabinet reshuffle, well ahead of the next election which must be held by December 2030, Mr Wong has time to battle-test the new office holders and for them to learn and prove themselves in the cauldron of politics.

PROMOTING FIRST-TIME PARLIAMENTARIANS

Yet challenges remain, including a question of maintaining bench strength that could be a problem if we see the loss of more parliamentarians for any reason in the years ahead.

Recent resignations have left gaps in Mr Wong’s Cabinet. Earlier in the week (Jul 20), Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Faishal Ibrahim resigned as a political office holder, Member of Parliament (MP) and PAP member after a “lapse in judgment” in his interactions with a female member of the public that fell short of the standards expected of him.

Tampines MP and 4G politician Koh Poh Koon had also in June stepped down from his roles as senior minister of state for manpower and health, citing the need to focus on his family.

Mr Wong signalled that he is prepared to ensure that bench strength is maintained early on, filling those spots quickly in the latest reshuffle. He drafted in first-year backbenchers Foo Cexiang and Shawn Loh, who will be Minister of State for Manpower and Trade and Industry and Minister of State for Education and Health respectively. The appointments will take place over the next few months.