Published March 27, 2009

S'pore gets new DPM, first woman minister

Promotions for Teo Chee Hean, Lim Hwee Hua in Cabinet reshuffle

By CHUANG PECK MING

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(SINGAPORE) Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean has been promoted to Deputy Prime Minister in Cabinet changes that will also see a woman appointed as a full minister for the first time.

Mr Teo, who was introduced as a potential prime minister when he entered politics in 1992, will be Acting Prime Minister in the absence of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, according to a statement issued yesterday.

Mr Teo, a President and SAF Scholar, will continue as Defence Minister.

Wong Kan Seng will stay on as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs. But S Jayakumar will give up his Deputy Prime Minister's post and become Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). He continues to be Co-ordinating Minister for National Security and to oversee foreign policy matters that cut across different ministries and take charge of foreign policy issues involving legal negotiation or international adjudication.

In a historic move, Lim Hwee Hua has been elevated to Minister in the PMO - the first woman to become a full minister in Singapore.

Mrs Lim, who is Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, will also move up to become Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for Transport.

With a few exceptions, all the changes announced yesterday, which came nearly a year after the last Cabinet reshuffle, take effect from April 1.

'These changes are part of continuing leadership renewal and testing out of younger office holders for broader responsibilities,' said the statement issued by the Prime Minister.

Gan Kim Yong, who is Acting Minister for Manpower, is confirmed as Manpower Minister in the latest appointments.

Lee Boon Yang, who announced a year ago that he would retire from the government, will relinquish his position as Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts.

Lui Tuck Yew, Senior Minister of State for Education and for Information, Communications and the Arts, will be appointed as Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts. He will give up his post in the Education Ministry.

The other changes announced yesterday were:

S Iswaran will be made Senior Minister of State for Education, while keeping his present appointment as Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry.

Lee Yi Shyan will be appointed Minister of State for Manpower, while staying on as Minister of State for Trade and Industry.

Sam Tan, a grassroots Member of Parliament in Tanjong Pagar GRC, will take up the appointment of Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts from July 1.

Zainul Abidin Rasheed will give up his appointment as Mayor for North East Community Development Council when his current three-year term ends on May 30. He will continue as Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports and for Transport, will also be appointed as Mayor for North East Community Development Council after Mr Zainul steps down.