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Why the Changes, and Why Now?

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Why the Changes, and Why Now? Why the changes, and why now? The upcoming Cabinet reshufe on May 15 comes earlier in the Government’s term than normal, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday. Below are his explanations for the various movements. On Mr Heng Swee Keat relinquishing Finance: On moving Mr Chan Chun Sing from As I announced two weeks Relinquishing Finance will Trade and Industry to Education: ago, Heng Swee Keat will free him to concentrate continue as Deputy Prime more on the Chun Sing has done an excellent job Minister and Coordinating whole-of-government getting our economy back on track, and Minister for Economic economic agenda, including preparing our industries and Policies. He will also chairing the Future companies to respond to structural continue to oversee the Economy Council, and changes in the global economy. This Strategy Group within the incorporating the has been a major national priority. Now Prime Minister’s Ofce, recommendations of the I am sending him to Education, where which coordinates our Emerging Stronger he will build on the work of previous policies and plans across Taskforce into the work of education ministers, to improve our the Government, as well as the council. He will also education system to bring out the best the National Research continue to co-chair the in every child and student, and develop Foundation. As Finance Joint Council for Bilateral young Singaporeans for the future. Minister, Swee Keat has Cooperation (JCBC), Nurturing people is quite different from carried a heavy burden, together with PRC (People’s growing the economy or mobilising especially during Covid-19 Republic of China) unions. I look forward to Chun Sing when he delivered multiple Vice-Premier Han Zheng. taking on this fresh responsibility and Budgets within a year. broadening his experience. On moving Mr Lawrence Wong and On Mr Gan Kim Yong’s appointment Mr Ong Ye Kung after under a year: as Trade and Industry Minister: I’ve had to move two unfortunately it can’t be adjustment, the new Kim Yong has been Health I hope the investors will see that ministers who have only helped. I think it’s a bit ministers in those two posts Minister for almost a decade. He we have changed from one MTI been in their appointments disruptive for the ministries; will be able to settle down has been a point man in the ght minister who has been for quite a short time, which they have made for some time. against Covid-19, co-chairing the competently discharging his is Lawrence in MOE contributions, they are multi-ministry task force. At MOH, responsibilities to another MTI (Ministry of Education) and getting into their stride, and I appoint my ministers he implemented many major minister who has ample Ong Ye Kung in MOT now I have to disrupt them. where they can best make a healthcare reforms, and leaves a experience and who we have (Ministry of Transport), but But I hope that after this contribution. And in July, signicant legacy of every reason to expect will when we last made the enhancements and improvements discharge his responsibilities appointments, I knew that to our healthcare system. Right equally well. Chun Sing didn’t there were major slots to be now, MTI (Ministry of Trade and come to MTI with a lot of lled, especially in MOH Industry), where he is going, is a economic management (Ministry of Health), where key ministry. experience, but he came bringing (Gan) Kim Yong had been and applying his mind, having minister for some time, but I spent time with the unions, which was not ready to move Kim is very valuable. Before that, he Yong, and I was able to put was in MSF (Ministry of Social and Ye Kung into MOT, and I Family Development), but in MTI, think in less than a year in he mastered the job and, I think, MOT, he has made an over the last year plus, especially, impact there. MTI has been rolling out schemes not just to deal with the crisis and the downturn, but to enable companies to upgrade and to prepare for the future. And Kim Yong comes to MTI having previously been MOM (Ministry of Manpower) minister, On appointing Mr Edwin Tong having previously served in MTI as to the People’s Association: a junior civil servant when I was MTI minister back in 1988, I think. Chan Chun Sing has been in charge of PA for And in between, he had spent a while now... and I think that in Education, more than a decade – 16 years – in he is going to have his hands very full. He is the private sector, which I think is also covering several other additional a valuable experience for anybody responsibilities, including PSD (Public Service who becomes MTI minister. So I Division), as well as party work. So I felt that am sure that the investors will it was better to spread the duties out and, in look at this... If they don’t know this case, I have given PA into the charge of Kim Yong by now from the MTF Edwin Tong, who is in MCCY (Ministry of (multi-ministry task force), if they Culture, Community and Youth), and I think read his CV, I have no reason to there’s synergy between MCCY’s work and doubt that they will maintain full PA’s work. condence in Singapore. On not changing On Mr S. Iswaran moving Mr Desmond Lee’s portfolio: to Transport: I think if you talk to Desmond Lee, he At MCI (Ministry of already has more responsibilities than he Communications and needs. He’s not just minister in MND Information), he has signicantly (Ministry of National Development), but he improved the Government’s is also second minister in MSF (Ministry of public communications and Social and Family Development) and doing sense-making capabilities, and quite intensive outreach in his MSF role. I helped us understand and do have many ideas (on) what I can load respond to citizens’ views and Desmond with, but I’ve decided to hold off concerns. He has managed major for now. upgrades to our tech infrastructure; for example, the award of tenders and roll-out of the new 5G networks. At Transport, he will continue On Mrs Josephine Teo handing over improving the quality, Manpower to Dr Tan See Leng affordability and environmental sustainability of our transport As Manpower Minister, Josephine was workers and upgrade their incomes. This system. Another important task responsible for a whole range of project is making good progress, and is to maintain our status as a policies, including worker safety, she will see this through even though global air and sea hub in the labour relations and retirement she has gone to MCI (Ministry of post-Covid-19 world. MOT adequacy. Under her leadership, we Communications and Information). (Ministry of Transport) also deals achieved tripartite consensus on a with ongoing sensitive air 10-year roadmap to raise the Since (Dr Tan See Leng) was appointed space and maritime issues re-employment age and retirement Second Minister in MOM in July last year, concerning our age. We also made a major expansion he has been leading our efforts to tackle neighbours. Iswaran will of the Silver Support scheme. Last Covid-19 in the migrant worker also continue as year, in the unprecedented Covid-19 dormitories. Now he will take on Minister-in-charge of downturn, MOM (Ministry of Manpower) the full range of responsibilities at Trade Relations in MTI led our efforts to support local job MOM. See Leng will also continue (Ministry of Trade and creation and training opportunities. At as Second Minister at MTI (Ministry Industry). the same time, MOM has been on the of Trade and Industry). This will front line dealing with the migrant help us connect the work of the worker dormitories. Through all this, two vital economic ministries, Josephine has been steadfast in particularly on restructuring the working to support our lower-wage economy and the workforce. ST FILE PHOTOS STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS.
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