Latest Cabinet reshuffle sees several significant promotions
The latest Cabinet reshuffle sees several significant promotions among office holders in their 40s, with some relative newcomers to the political scene taking on ministerial mandates.
From left to right: Mr Chan Chun Sing, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin & Mr Lawrence Wong
SINGAPORE: The latest Cabinet reshuffle sees several significant promotions among office holders in their 40s, with some relative newcomers to the political scene taking on ministerial mandates.
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Mr Lawrence Wong and Mr Chan Chun Sing made their political debut during the 2011 general election and now, little over a year later, they are taking on key portfolios.
Mr Chan Chun Sing will assume the role of Acting Minister for the new Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
"Given the emerging demographic, economic and societal challenges we face, the new MSF will bring sharper focus to our work in strengthening families, improving social services and enhancing our social safety nets," he said.
Mr Chan also said that the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports's (MCYS) immediate priority is to ensure continuity in its work, even as the ministry works towards a successful transition to the new ministries.
Mr Chan will also be promoted to the post of Senior Minister of State for Defence.
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin will take over from Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam as Acting Minister for Manpower.
He will also be promoted to Senior Minister of State for National Development.
Mr Tan said: "With this appointment, the work continues, the emphasis doesn't change. And I guess more responsibilities, because now you have to shoulder it yourself. Definitely, team work as well. But I think at the heart of everything we do, we just need to make sure that ultimately, it makes sense for Singaporeans, makes sense for society as well."
Mr Lawrence Wong will be made Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.
Mr Wong will be promoted to Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information.
In a Facebook post, Mr Wong said he was excited about his new ministry's mandate to build social cohesion and greater national identity as society becomes more diverse.
Mr Wong says he looks forward to meeting with many young people, the arts and sports groups, as well as the civic and community volunteers in the coming months to get their ideas and views on how to keep Singapore strong.
Ms Grace Fu will be promoted to full minister. That makes her the second female minister in Singapore's history.
She will serve in the Prime Minister's Office, looking into population matters.
Ms Fu will also serve as Second Minister for Environment and Water Resources and Foreign Affairs.
In her email response to Channel NewsAsia, Ms Fu said: "People are Singapore's greatest resource. I am very privileged to be given this opportunity in NPTD to look into our population issue, with its far-reaching impact that directly affects Singapore's make-up and economic competitiveness.
"I particularly look forward to having discussions with Singaporeans on marriage and parenthood policies and other important decisions relating to our population."
MP Indranee Rajah will leave her law practice, where she has worked for 25 years, to become Senior Minister of State for Law and Education from November 1. This is a new appointment.
"I personally think that the relationship between government and people should be one of working together," she said.
"Because Singapore is so small, there's so much we have to do, so little time to do it, so much competition from outside pressing in on us and we can only do this if we're moving forward together."
Another MP to be promoted is Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim. He will be Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transport.
"I'm quite fortunate, in the sense that when I was doing my PhD, my research involves behavioural science in transport and real estate," he said.
"When I was informed that I'll be going to [the Ministry of Transport], I found that it is very appropriate and I hope that I will be able to share some of my knowledge and experience that I have with regards to transport, real estate and even as far as health facilities are concerned."
