MP Jeffrey Siow being considered for new Cabinet line-up
Chua Chu Kang GRC MPs Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (left) and Mr Jeffrey Siow (second from right) choosing apples with a resident at Brickland Green Festival 2025 on May 17. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
SINGAPORE - Newly-minted Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Jeffrey Siow is among various potential office holders that Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is considering for the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle following Singapore's recently-concluded general election.
Speaking to the media on May 17, Mr Siow said: 'PM is readying his cabinet, he is building his team. I understand he's been speaking to various people in his team who would be taking up positions in the Cabinet. I'm one of the people he has spoken to.'
The MP for the GRC's Brickland ward did not reveal which political office he is being considered for, saying these matters have yet to be finalised.
'We have to give it a bit of time. It's an important decision for PM to form his team. But in the discussions I've had, I'm very happy he knows the experiences and the skills that I have. He knows what I can contribute to his team,' said Mr Siow at the sidelines of a sustainability themed event outside Keat Hong Shopping Centre.
'Whatever role that he thinks that I can play in his team, I'll be very happy to contribute...I will give it my best,' he added.
The PAP fielded 32 new candidates for the 2025 General Election on May 3, the largest batch of fresh faces in decades. PM Wong is expected to announce changes to his Cabinet soon.
A veteran civil servant, Mr Siow, retired as second permanent secretary for trade and industry and manpower before entering politics.
He was also principal private secretary to then PM Lee Hsien Loong between 2017 and 2021.
After 2021, he became the first managing director of Enterprise Singapore.
He has also held key government roles in the Transport and Education Ministries.
With 24 years in the public service, Mr Siow is the most senior civil servant to run in the election this year.
During the 2025 General Election, PM Lawrence Wong had highlighted how some of the PAP newcomers could grow into larger leadership roles, and name-dropped Mr Siow alongside other first-time MPs like Mr David Neo from Tampines GRC and Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash from East Coast GRC.
At the 2025 Brickland Green Festival on May 17, Mr Siow was also accompanied by other MPs in the GRC including Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (Keat Hong) and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng (Chua Chu Kang).
Mr Jeffrey Siow (second from left), Manpower Minister Tan See Leng (second from right) and Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (right) watching a performance at Brickland Green Festival 2025 on May 17.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
The one-day festival allows residents to learn about environmental sustainability through the arts.
The community event also saw the launch of a new initiative focused on reducing waste. Community leaders driving the new Brickland Green Village initiative will rescue and redistribute bruised fruits and vegetables that are commonly ignored by shoppers.
The initiative will also run upcycling workshops as well as a repair corner where residents can learn to fix faulty household items.
At the event, UOB and the SG Eco Fund launched a two-year partnership to drive greater environmental awareness and community engagement on sustainability initiatives across Singapore. A signature component of the partnership is the Green Mosaic Programme, which will involve the community in painting environment-themed murals islandwide.
SG Eco Fund is a $50 million push under the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment that supports green initiatives in the community.
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