Minister with no portfolio Promoted!

[Jman888]

den Dhana goes where?

 

retiring fr Temasek X= retired

 

 

the news said he will become the advisor, now they just created another payroll

[Alheych]

the news said he will become the advisor, now they just created another payroll

 

don't worry about him... they can always create the office of the "Emeritus Chairman Mentor"

[Yuan]

the news said he will become the advisor, now they just created another payroll

 

Advisor sounds very direct or too direct.

 

Maybe the title shall be known as "consultant".

[Rncw]

the news said he will become the advisor, now they just created another payroll

 

wow....

 

first, fresh pork....then fresh pork becomes bacon....then later become bak kua....then pork floss.......

[Xefera]

bak gua becomes pork floss a bit difficult leh.

 

maybe become waxed pork? can last a life time prolly

[Rncw]

bak gua becomes pork floss a bit difficult leh.

 

maybe become waxed pork? can last a life time prolly

 

there can only be one waxed pork....you guess who....???

[S2077s]

Eh.... seems like all this thread about is a discussion based on the literal translation of the term "without portfolio".

I think everyone knows deep inside that this title does not literally equate to Minister "without job description"..... right? Does everyone?

 

A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry. The sinecure position is particularly common in countries ruled by coalition governments and a cabinet with decision making authority wherein a minister without portfolio, while he or she may not head any particular office or ministry, does have the right to cast a vote in cabinet decisions. In some countries where the executive branch is not composed of a coalition of parties and, more often, in countries with purely presidential systems of government, such as the United States, the position (or an equivalent position) of minister without portfolio is uncommon. - Wiki

 

So he is promoted, no one has expressed knowledge of what actually his role serves, and majority insinuated that it is a role that need to do nothing.

Therefore promotion is questionable.... so..... well.... says something doesn't it.

 

 

[OTOT]

Eh.... seems like all this thread about is a discussion based on the literal translation of the term "without portfolio".

I think everyone knows deep inside that this title does not literally equate to Minister "without job description"..... right? Does everyone?

 

A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry. The sinecure position is particularly common in countries ruled by coalition governments and a cabinet with decision making authority wherein a minister without portfolio, while he or she may not head any particular office or ministry, does have the right to cast a vote in cabinet decisions. In some countries where the executive branch is not composed of a coalition of parties and, more often, in countries with purely presidential systems of government, such as the United States, the position (or an equivalent position) of minister without portfolio is uncommon. - Wiki

 

So he is promoted, no one has expressed knowledge of what actually his role serves, and majority insinuated that it is a role that need to do nothing.

Therefore promotion is questionable.... so..... well.... says something doesn't it.

Err... I've the impression this portfolio is like the "super-sub" in football, can play in all position and always ready! It's like a ready "reserve" that can bao shua bao hai when called upon. [laugh]

[Alheych]

Once and for all, what Minister without Portfolio means in the Singapore context:

 

It used to be called Minister without Portfolio, now it's called Minister, Prime Minister's Office. Presumably "without Portfolio" doesn't sound nice, especially in Chinese.

 

They are full Ministers, but don't helm a ministry personally. Usually they are Second Ministers in a ministry, so they are full cabinet positions. But because it's not nice to have their title as only Second Minister for XXX, they are given the title of Minister, Prime Minister's Office to remove any doubt that they are cabinet level.

 

For example, Grace Fu is 2M for MFA and MEWR; Iswaran is 2M for MHA and MTI.

 

There used to be a time in the mid 2000s when all ministers with the surname Lim are in PMO and all the PMO Ministers have the surname Lim: Lim Boon Heng, Lim Swee Say, Lim Hng Kiang, Raymond Lim, Lim Hwee Hua.

 

PMO Minister doesn't necessarily mean no power; the Secretary General of NTUC will always be a PMO Minister, because by custom they are cabinet positions, but they can't possibly helm another ministry, or even be Second Minister. Lim Swee Say relinquished his 2M for MND when he became NTUC Secretary General.

 

It is true that PMO is a "retirement" place for some; Lim Boon Heng stayed as PMO Minister for 4 years after stepping down from NTUC. Lee Yock Suan, who used to helm Labour and Education, retired as PMO Minister.

 

PMO Minister may also be a stop-gap measure for people who have been promoted to cabinet level, but have no "free" ministry to helm yet; case in point: Raymond Lim, who became PMO Minister in 2005, and only took over Transport when Yeo Cheow Tong retired after GE2006. The same could be said for Grace Fu and Iswaran now, though it remains to be seen if they will ever helm ministries.

 

Finally, PMO Minister... may be seen as "time-out" for some. It has been said that when Lim Hng Kiang didn't handle SARS properly, he was made PMO Minister for a year after being forced to step down from MOH. He has since recovered and helmed MTI ever since 2004. When LHL + 2 DPMs were both on leave this year, he was even Acting Prime Minister. Should be safe to say he's fully "rehabilitated".

Edited July 25, 2013 by Alheych

[2BDriver]

there can only be one waxed pork....you guess who....???

I know ! I know ! The crying MIW with white handkerchief in black white TV appears 1 month before National Day in almost every years

[Mobycane]

From no portfolio to Sibeh-bui-Encyclopedia ... can only happen in this Tiny and Super-rich spot.

[Neost]

Look in correct perspective, I don't think Mr. Lim wants this post as Chairman of Temasek. After so many years in politics, enough said and done.

 

He is already 60+ and should have be more than enough money to live a very comfortable retirement life. Just be a nobody enjoying last 20+ years of his life assuming he can live until 90. Why would he want to take on this highly stress role as chairman of Temasek?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Yuan]

Once and for all, what Minister without Portfolio means in the Singapore context:

 

It used to be called Minister without Portfolio, now it's called Minister, Prime Minister's Office. Presumably "without Portfolio" doesn't sound nice, especially in Chinese.

 

They are full Ministers, but don't helm a ministry personally. Usually they are Second Ministers in a ministry, so they are full cabinet positions. But because it's not nice to have their title as only Second Minister for XXX, they are given the title of Minister, Prime Minister's Office to remove any doubt that they are cabinet level.

 

For example, Grace Fu is 2M for MFA and MEWR; Iswaran is 2M for MHA and MTI.

 

There used to be a time in the mid 2000s when all ministers with the surname Lim are in PMO and all the PMO Ministers have the surname Lim: Lim Boon Heng, Lim Swee Say, Lim Hng Kiang, Raymond Lim, Lim Hwee Hua.

 

PMO Minister doesn't necessarily mean no power; the Secretary General of NTUC will always be a PMO Minister, because by custom they are cabinet positions, but they can't possibly helm another ministry, or even be Second Minister. Lim Swee Say relinquished his 2M for MND when he became NTUC Secretary General.

 

It is true that PMO is a "retirement" place for some; Lim Boon Heng stayed as PMO Minister for 4 years after stepping down from NTUC. Lee Yock Suan, who used to helm Labour and Education, retired as PMO Minister.

 

PMO Minister may also be a stop-gap measure for people who have been promoted to cabinet level, but have no "free" ministry to helm yet; case in point: Raymond Lim, who became PMO Minister in 2005, and only took over Transport when Yeo Cheow Tong retired after GE2006. The same could be said for Grace Fu and Iswaran now, though it remains to be seen if they will ever helm ministries.

 

Finally, PMO Minister... may be seen as "time-out" for some. It has been said that when Lim Hng Kiang didn't handle SARS properly, he was made PMO Minister for a year after being forced to step down from MOH. He has since recovered and helmed MTI ever since 2004. When LHL + 2 DPMs were both on leave this year, he was even Acting Prime Minister. Should be safe to say he's fully "rehabilitated".

 

And this is a very good clarification. I agree and well said.

[Kb27]

I dunno much about these titles, but it seems to me if you want someone there to be a minister for whatever reasons.

 

But you don't trust him enough to handle a portfolio.

 

So he becomes a Minister without Portfolio.

[Flying_genie]

Well written article. Thank you.

Edited July 25, 2013 by Flying_genie

[RadX]

And this is a very good clarification. I agree and well said.

 

 

good post and sounds like super-sub [laugh]

[2BDriver]

Once and for all, what Minister without Portfolio means in the Singapore context:

 

It used to be called Minister without Portfolio, now it's called Minister, Prime Minister's Office. Presumably "without Portfolio" doesn't sound nice, especially in Chinese.

 

They are full Ministers, but don't helm a ministry personally. Usually they are Second Ministers in a ministry, so they are full cabinet positions. But because it's not nice to have their title as only Second Minister for XXX, they are given the title of Minister, Prime Minister's Office to remove any doubt that they are cabinet level.

 

For example, Grace Fu is 2M for MFA and MEWR; Iswaran is 2M for MHA and MTI.

 

There used to be a time in the mid 2000s when all ministers with the surname Lim are in PMO and all the PMO Ministers have the surname Lim: Lim Boon Heng, Lim Swee Say, Lim Hng Kiang, Raymond Lim, Lim Hwee Hua.

 

PMO Minister doesn't necessarily mean no power; the Secretary General of NTUC will always be a PMO Minister, because by custom they are cabinet positions, but they can't possibly helm another ministry, or even be Second Minister. Lim Swee Say relinquished his 2M for MND when he became NTUC Secretary General.

 

It is true that PMO is a "retirement" place for some; Lim Boon Heng stayed as PMO Minister for 4 years after stepping down from NTUC. Lee Yock Suan, who used to helm Labour and Education, retired as PMO Minister.

 

PMO Minister may also be a stop-gap measure for people who have been promoted to cabinet level, but have no "free" ministry to helm yet; case in point: Raymond Lim, who became PMO Minister in 2005, and only took over Transport when Yeo Cheow Tong retired after GE2006. The same could be said for Grace Fu and Iswaran now, though it remains to be seen if they will ever helm ministries.

 

Finally, PMO Minister... may be seen as "time-out" for some. It has been said that when Lim Hng Kiang didn't handle SARS properly, he was made PMO Minister for a year after being forced to step down from MOH. He has since recovered and helmed MTI ever since 2004. When LHL + 2 DPMs were both on leave this year, he was even Acting Prime Minister. Should be safe to say he's fully "rehabilitated".

This explaination had been useful to cleared many doubts in my mind for so many years The mighty Lee's and The fortunate Lim's are good cousins, thank you for the clarification

[Old-driver]

They're cousins?