Sam Tan (politician)

Sam Tan Chin Siong (simplified Chinese: 陈振泉; traditional Chinese: 陳振泉; pinyin: Chén Zhènquán, born 13 October 1958) is a former Singaporean politician. He announced his retirement from politics on 29 June 2020.[1]

The Honourable Sam Tan Chin Siong
陈振泉
Minister of State, Ministry of Social and Family Development
In office 1 May 2018 – 26 July 2020
Prime Minister	Lee Hsien Loong
Minister	Desmond Lee
Succeeded by	Sun Xueling
Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office
In office 1 May 2014 – 30 April 2018
Prime Minister	Lee Hsien Loong
Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In office 1 May 2017 – 26 July 2020
Prime Minister	Lee Hsien Loong
Minister	Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister Josephine Teo, Second Minister
Succeeded by	Chee Hong Tat
Minister of State, Ministry of Manpower
In office 1 October 2015 – 30 April 2018
Prime Minister	Lee Hsien Loong
Minister	Lim Swee Say Josephine Teo
Succeeded by	Zaqy Mohamad
Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
In office 1 May 2014 – 30 September 2015
Minister	Lawrence Wong
Mayor of Central Singapore District
In office 27 May 2011 – 26 May 2014
Prime Minister	Lee Hsien Loong
Preceded by	Zainudin Nordin
Succeeded by	Denise Phua
Member of the Singapore Parliament for Radin Mas SMC
In office 7 May 2011 – 23 June 2020
Preceded by	Chong Weng Chiew (PAP)
Succeeded by	Melvin Yong (PAP)
Member of the Singapore Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC (Radin Mas)
In office 27 April 2006 – 18 April 2011
Preceded by	Chong Weng Chiew
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Deputy Party Whip of the People's Action Party
In office 28 September 2015 – 6 June 2019
Secretary-General	Lee Hsien Loong
Party Whip	Chan Chun Sing
Succeeded by	Sim Ann Zaqy Mohamad
Personal details
Born	13 October 1958 Singapore
Nationality	Singaporean
Political party	People's Action Party
Alma mater	National University of Singapore

He served as Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, as well as in the Ministry of Manpower, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Social and Family Development.[2] He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Radin Mas Single Member Constituency (SMC) from 7 May 2011 to 23 June 2020.[3]

Political career

Tan started his political career in the 2006 general election season at Tanjong Pagar GRC. There were no opposition candidates for that ward in that election, resulting in a walkover.[4]

Tan was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and also the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts from July 2009 to October 2009. He was then promoted to Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the same ministries in November 2009. Tan served in that capacity until May 2011.[5]

In 2011, the district within the GRC that he was a member of was carved out as Radin Mas Single Member Constituency (Radin Mas SMC). Tan faced a challenge from veteran Yip Yew Weng of the National Solidarity Party after two other political parties (Reform Party and Singapore Democratic Alliance) withdrew in favour of the NSP.[6] He won by a large margin, garnering 67.10% of the votes.[7]

Tan was appointed Senior Parliamentary Secretary, for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and also the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports in May 2011. He was also appointed Mayor of the Central Singapore District.[5]

On 28 September 2015, it was announced that Tan will be the Minister of State for Manpower from 1 October 2015.[8]

On 29 June 2020, it was announced that Tan will step down from Radin Mas SMC.[9]

Non-political career

Tan started his career at the People's Association (PA). From 1992 to 1997, he was the Deputy Executive Director and subsequently Executive Director in 1997 of the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC).[10]

From 2007 to 2009, he was CEO of Business China.

Notable awards

• PBM (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat) Public Service Medal award (2002)

Education

• Tuan Mong High School - (1971–1974)
• Hwa Chong Junior College - GCE 'A' Level (1975–1976)
• National University of Singapore - Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (1983)

References

• Parliament of Singapore - CV of Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong

1. Sam Tan - Sam Tan is with Melvin Yong 杨益财. | Facebook, retrieved 2020-06-29
2. "PM Lee announces new Cabinet lineup". Straits Times. 19 May 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-05-20. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
3. http://www.elections.gov.sg/gazette%5CG_ParE2011%5C2011-05-09%20Candidates%20declared%20to%20have%20been%20elected.pdf#zoom=100 Archived 2011-06-24 at the Wayback Machine Singapore Election Department : Gazette Notification on Candidates declared to have been elected Members of Parliament (2011)
4. Singapore Elections. "2006 General Elections". Archived from the original on 2012-04-24.
5. "CV of Sam Tan Chin Siong". Singapore Parliament. Archived from the original on 2014-05-13. Retrieved 2011-05-17.
6. "Four-cornered fight in Radin Mas?". Archived from the original on 2011-04-09. Retrieved 2011-05-17.
7. Singapore Elections. "GE 2011". Archived from the original on 2012-03-30.
8. "Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announces Singapore's new Cabinet". Channel NewsAsia. 28 September 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-09-28. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
9. Mahmud, Aqil Haziq (29 June 2020). "GE2020: PAP announces Tanjong Pagar, Radin Mas line-up; no Chia Shi-Lu, Sam Tan". CNA. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
10. {title}, archived from the original on 2011-08-27, retrieved 24 May 2011