Singapore announces cabinet reform

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced several changes to his cabinet on April 8, designed to strengthen the country’s leadership before the upcoming general election.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Masagos Zulkifli will be appointed as minister of the PMO and will continue as second minister in both the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs as of April 9.

Meanwhile, Minister for Social and Family Development and second Minister for Defence Chan Chung Sing became General Secretary of the Nation Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and minister in the PMO, taking effect from April 5.

Tan Chuan-Jin, currently Minister of Manpower, was appointed Minister for Social and Family Development. He will hold both positions until he abdicates his role as Minister of Manpower on May 3, which will then be assumed by Lim Swee Say.

Minister of Transport Lui Tuck Yew will serve as second Minister for Defence from April 9.

These adjustments are the fourth change to the country’s cabinet since the 2011 general election; the latest reform went into effect last year.