Outgoing Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong confirmed on Wednesday, July 28, he would take on the role of senior minister, the second most powerful cabinet position in terms of protocol, when he relinquishes the leadership on August 12.

Goh will replace Lee Kuan Yew, who is Lee Hsien Loong's father and was the nation's prime minister from independence in 1969 to 1990.

Although the elder Lee, aged 80, will lose his "number two" status, he will also stay in the cabinet and has repeatedly vowed to remain in politics for as long as he is able.

"You don't have to tell me (when to leave politics). I can feel it when I am no longer making a contribution," the famously hard-nosed Lee told the media last year.

But Goh, 63, insisted on Wednesday that the nation's first two prime ministers would not impose their views on the younger Lee, 52.

"That is the usual superficial concern," Goh said when asked whether having the two former prime ministers in cabinet would give Lee little room to manoeuvre.

"We are trying to be helpful and we will not in any way cramp the power of the new prime minister.

"I can tell you that Mr Lee Hsien Loong makes up his own mind. He takes our inputs and makes up his own mind, even inputs from Lee Kuan Yew."

Goh also said that when the new prime minister was overseas or incapacitated, one of the country's deputy prime ministers, not himself, would step in as acting leader.

Political pundits are meanwhile focusing on which of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) stalwarts will be promoted in the cabinet reshuffle, which is due to be announced one or two days before the handover.

Lee Hsien Loong is currently one of two deputy prime ministers, leaving at least one position vacant.

Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng are two names most commonly thrown up for the position.

Since Singapore traditionally has two deputy prime ministers, both could get appointed but only if the other deputy premier, Tony Tan, 64, the Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence, stands down.

Teo, 49, has also served as education minister among other senior posts since retiring as commander of Singapore's navy in 1992 to run for public office.

Wong, 58, is a political veteran who has also held various senior government posts, including minister of foreign affairs.

A former school teacher, Wong is a member of the PAP's central executive committee but is best known for taking a leading role in Singapore's fight against terrorism.

Under his watch, the Home Affairs Ministry dismantled a Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist cell in Singapore that the government says was plotting to blow up the US embassy and other major targets.

Speculation is also high that Trade Minister George Yeo could take on the foreign ministry portfolio, headed by veteran Shunmugam Jayakumar who turns 65 next month.

Yeo, 49, is the chief architect of Singapore's web of free-trade arrangements with major trading partners and is a respected voice in efforts to forge a global trade agreement under the World Trade Organisation.

Among the politicians expected to be promoted to full cabinet rank are Acting Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, 52, Acting Education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 47, and Acting Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen, 45.

Tharman, a former managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, is also being talked about as a possible finance minister along with current second finance minister Lim Hng Kiang.

The finance minister portfolio is currently held by Lee Hsien Loong, who may have to give up the post when he becomes prime minister.

The PAP has ruled virtually unchallenged throughout the nation's 39-year history and currently holds all but two seats in parliament.


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