Tan Chuan-jin and Lawrence Wong promoted to full ministers by 1 May: PM Lee
Acting Minister of Manpower Tan Chuan-jin and Acting Minister of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) Lawrence Wong will be promoted to become full ministers from Thursday (1 May), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in a press statement on Tuesday.
The changes are part of a fourth round of shifts in the cabinet since 2011’s general election.
PM Lee praised both Tan and Wong’s performances since taking office, saying, “They have performed well since taking office, and mastered their portfolios. They have also worked hard on the ground, winning the respect and trust of Singaporeans.”
On the changes, PM Lee said, "I am strengthening the Cabinet line-up to address our priorities and challenges, and see Singapore through our next phase of development."
Manpower, sports, culture, youth and health are some of the areas the Government is focusing on, he added.
Other changes
Other changes include the appointment of new mayors for two CDCs.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for MCCY Sam Tan will be promoted to become Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and MCCY while Sengkang West MP Lam Pin Min will appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Health (MOH). Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar Denise Phua will replace Tan as the Mayor of Central Singapore CDC.
Senior Minister of State in Ministry of Health Amy Khor will relinquish her post as Mayor of South West CDC at the end of her term, when she will be replaced by Low Yen Ling. Dr Khor has been given additional responsibilities in MOH. "As Co-Chair of the Pioneer Generation Taskforce, Dr Khor will focus on implementing the Pioneer Generation Package, and helping our pioneers to understand and benefit from the Package,” PM Lee said.
PM Lee has also asked Singaporeans to give support to the new ministers. In a Facebook post he said, " I ask all Singaporeans to give them your full support, and work with my team to build a better Singapore for all."
Full list of changes
Here are the full list of changes made by PM Lee. All changes take effect on 1 May 2014 unless explicitly indicated:
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin will be promoted to full Minister in the Ministry of Manpower.
Mr Lawrence Wong will be promoted to full Minister in the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), and 2nd Minister for Communications and Information.
Mr Sam Tan will be promoted to Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the MCCY. He will relinquish his current appointment in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He will also step down as Mayor of Central Singapore CDC on 27 May 2014, at the end of his Mayor’s term.
Dr Lam Pin Min will be appointed as Minister of State in the Ministry of Health with effect from 1 August 2014.
Ms Denise Phua will replace Mr Sam Tan as the Mayor of Central Singapore CDC with effect from 27 May 2014.
Dr Amy Khor will relinquish her appointment as Mayor of South West CDC on 27 May 2014, at the end of her Mayor’s term. She will continue as the Senior Minister of State in the Ministries of Health and of Manpower.
Ms Low Yen Ling will replace Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan as Mayor of South West CDC with effect from 27 May 2014. Ms Low will also be appointed as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, concurrent with her present appointment in the Ministry of Social and Family Development.
