PM Lee: Khaw is 'ideal candidate' for Transport Minister

Sembawang Park might have a new "resident" after yesterday's Cabinet reshuffle at the Istana.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan had volunteered for his current job in the Ministry of National Development (MND) and frequented the park whenever he was stressed over housing issues.

At last month's introduction of the Sembawang slate for the Sept 11 General Election, he shared with reporters that he would not volunteer for the Transport Minister portfolio vacated by Mr Lui Tuck Yew, even though many had linked him to the job then.

Said Mr Khaw then: "I think I have made enough trips to Sembawang Park. I cannot be camping there all day."

That changed yesterday when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced Mr Khaw's new appointment to the Ministry of Transport (MOT), said by political observers to be a hot seat after several consecutive ministers served only one term in the role.

To add to his challenges, Mr Khaw was also made the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure, a newly created position which will oversee all infrastructure-related issues.

Singapore

Khaw Boon Wan given Newcastle keys for promoting Aussie city

Jul 26, 2022

Related Stories

Three weeks, 19 leaders interviewed: How Lawrence Wong was picked as PAP's 4G leader

New CEO of SPH Media Trust to be named within two weeks: Khaw Boon Wan

Tuas West Extension on East-West Line to be isolated

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam was appointed the Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies.

DPM Teo Chee Hean will remain as the Coordinating Minister for National Security. 

The Cabinet changes will take effect from Oct 1.

Said PM Lee of Mr Khaw's new posts: "We need to tie together closely the different aspects of urban planning and infrastructure provision - housing, commercial and industrial development, road and rail networks, even our IT infrastructure."

He later explained his decision in Mandarin: "When it comes to infrastructure, everyone knows that everyone has an opinion on it. If it is not perfect or has flaws, everyone can feel it immediately.

"This is an important issue, so I require Khaw's experience. With his experience in MND and now in MOT, I think he will be able to play a deeper role as a coordinating minister."

As to why Mr Khaw was assigned the Transport Minister role, PM Lee added: "There is an opportunity, there is a job to do and he is the ideal candidate for it."

SELFISH TO SAY NO

Mr Khaw said in his first blog post as the incoming Transport Minister: "If my term turns out to be a thankless job, the loss is personal. But if we succeed collectively in transforming the city, the benefits will go to millions of Singaporeans.

"In such a cost-benefit equation, I will be selfish to say 'no' to PM. I just hope that my heart, my own body train, can withstand the stress and do not break down."

He added that he did not volunteer for the job this time.

"If you volunteer once, then once is enough. One should not keep on volunteering because people will misunderstand."

The veteran minister is known for his ability to tackle prickly issues while helming the MND and the Health Ministry (MOH).

He was in the Government team during the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) crisis. After taking over the health portfolio in 2004, he was responsible for reforming MediShield and restoring public confidence in the charity sector after the National Kidney Foundation debacle.

When he was in MND, he was credited with cooling the runaway cost of private and public housing, and increasing the supply of HDB flats.

Said Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan: "He's really in many ways your utility minister who can get the job done."

Associate Professor Tan believes this move is part of the Government's gearing up for a larger population in the future, while "capitalising" on Mr Khaw's abilities.

"With a very experienced minister who is also known to be able to make tough decisions, the stakeholders will know they are dealing with a heavyweight minister who will not pull his punches," he said.

Prof Tan anticipates that if Mr Khaw can get MOT on the right track, he may end up relinquishing his Transport Minister role and solely take on the coordinating minister's position.

Asked if he might retire midway through his term, Mr Khaw simply laughed.
Said the minister: "It is an important job, so obviously there is a hole that has to be filled. So when PM asked me to do so, I readily said yes."

KHAW BOON WAN, 62

CAREER SO FAR:

2004: Minister for Health

2011: Minister for National Development

NOW:

2015: Minister for Transport & Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure

If my term turns out to be a thankless job, the loss is personal. But if we succeed collectively in transforming the city, the benefits will go to millions of Singaporeans.

- Mr Khaw Boon Wan