Tan Chuan-Jin appointed as minister for social and family development: PMO

Manpower minister Tan Chuan-Jin has been appointed as the new minister for social and family development, according to the Prime Minister’s office on Wednesday.

Tan will take on his new role starting Thursday (9 April). He will be holding both portfolios until 4 May. Lim Swee Say will be taking over as Minister for Manpower and relinquish his appointment as minister in the prime minister’s office.

Chan Chun Sing will take over Lim’s appointment and relinquish his current roles as the minister for social and family development and second minister for defence on Thursday.

“Chun Sing will have much work to do building on what Swee Say has done, but I am confident that he is up to the task,” said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a Facebook post.

Transport minister Lui Tuck Yew will be appointed second minister for defence with effect from Thursday and continue with his current role.

Meanwhile, second minister for home affairs and foreign affairs Masagos Zulkifli will be promoted to full minister with effect from Thursday. He will be appointed minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and continue with his roles in the two ministries.

“I am promoting Masagos Zulkifli to full Minister. He has performed well, both in his ministries and as an MP in Tampines. It is the first time we are having two Malay full ministers, which reflects the progress of the Malay community,” said Lee.

Commenting on the cabinet changes, Lee added, “These changes are a part of continuing leadership renewal, to build a strong ‘A’ team for Singapore.”