Tan Chuan-Jin to be unofficial MND point-man for NGOs

Acting Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin may have relinquished his position in the Ministry of National Development (MND) on Monday but he will continue to be the ministry's unofficial point man for NGOs.

Writing on the ministry's blog, MND Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that Mr Tan, formerly the Senior Minister of State for National Development, feels passionately for these causes.

He wrote: "Many MND projects benefited from his inputs and insights. He made great efforts to reach out to relevant stakeholders. He walked, jogged, cycled, dived, and of course Facebooked, to build up a strong and productive relationship between MND and the interested NGOs. The Rail Corridor, Bukit Brown, animal welfare and biodiversity conservation issues, and many other projects benefited from his suggestions and feedback.

"MOS Desmond Lee will take over some of this portfolio as ex-officio, but Ag Minister Tan Chuan-Jin will continue as our unofficial point person with these NGOs. He feels passionately for these causes, and we too."

Mr Khaw added: "As he leaves MND to focus on MOM, our partnership will continue and our common aspiration to raise construction industry productivity will see our paths crossing often, I am sure."

The changes to personnel were part of a Cabinet reshuffle announced last week which also saw Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing promoted to full minister. Other changes include two the promotion of two backbenchers, Jurong GRC MP Desmond Lee and Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Low Yen Ling. Ms Low was appointed parliamentary secretary with Mr Chan's Ministry of Social and Family Development, while Mr Lee was appointed Minister of State with MND.

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