Tan Chuan-Jin to be Speaker of Parliament from Sept 11

Tan Chuan-Jin to be Speaker of Parliament from Sept 11

Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin will be the Speaker of Parliament with effect from next Monday (Sept 11).

Mr Tan was nominated by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. As the Speaker cannot be elected from members who are office holders, the 48-year-old will resign from his ministerial position.

According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Mr Lee has briefed members of parliament from the People's Action Party (PAP) on his nomination and "received their full support".

In a Facebook post this afternoon, Mr Lee wrote that he had first discussed with Mr Tan after Madam Halimah Yacob told him that she was resigning to run for President in the upcoming Presidential Election to be held on Sept 23. 

Mr Lee explained his decision: " Chuan-Jin has the temperament and personality for this role. Since entering politics, he has built up good links with a diverse range of NGOs, VWOs and interest groups."

He added that Mr Tan has taken a deep interest in social issues, and in helping the needy and disadvantaged.

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Mr Lee also announced office changes and new portfolios of Cabinet members today.

Mr Desmond Lee will be appointed Minister for Social and Family Development (MSF). He will continue as Second Minister in the Ministry of National Development, but will relinquish his appointments in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the PMO.

Mrs Josephine Teo will be appointed as Second Minister in MHA, and will relinquish her appointment in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She will continue as Minister in PMO and Second Minister in the Ministry of Manpower.

klim@sph.com.sg

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