Third Lee Hsien Loong Cabinet
The Third Cabinet of Lee Hsien Loong of the Government of Singapore came into existence on 21 May 2011 following the 7 May general election. While many of its members were retained from the previous government, Heng Swee Keat and Chan Chun Sing, who had both just been elected, were given ministerial appointments.
| Third Lee Hsien Loong Cabinet 李显龙第三个内阁 Kabinet Ketiga Lee Hsien Loong மூன்றாவதுலீ அமைச்சரவை | |
|---|---|
 14th Cabinet of Singapore | |
| 2011-2015 | |
 | |
| Date formed | 21 May 2011 |
| Date dissolved | 30 September 2015 |
| People and organisations | |
| Head of state | S.R. Nathan (until 31 August 2011), Tony Tan Keng Yam (from 01 September 2011) |
| Head of government | Lee Hsien Loong |
| Deputy head of government | Teo Chee Hean (from 01 April 2009), Tharman Shanmugaratnam (from 21 May 2011) |
| Member party | People's Action Party |
| Status in legislature | Supermajority |
| Opposition party | Workers' Party |
| Opposition leader | Low Thia Khiang |
| History | |
| Election(s) | 7 May 2011 |
| Legislature term(s) | 12th |
| Budget(s) | 2012 |
| Predecessor | 2nd Lee Cabinet |
| Successor | 4th Lee Cabinet |
With effect from 1 August 2012, Grace Fu became only the second woman in Singapore's history to be made a full minister by being appointed a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. (The first was Lim Hwee Hua.) From 1 November, Chan Chun Sing assumed the designation of Acting Minister for Social and Family Development, while Lawrence Wong was brought into the Cabinet for the first time as Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.
Initial composition
Cabinet
At the 2011 general election, Senior Minister Shunmugam Jayakumar did not contest his seat as part of the East Coast Group Representation Constituency and thus retired from the Cabinet.[1] Foreign Minister George Yeo and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hua contested Aljunied GRC unsuccessfully, and were defeated by a team from the Workers' Party of Singapore.[2]
Following the election, on 14 May 2011, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong tendered their resignations from the Cabinet, stating that they wished to give the Prime Minister a "fresh clean slate" in forming the Government and enable him to "have a completely younger team of ministers to connect to and engage with this young generation".[3] Goh was given the honorary title of Emeritus Senior Minister; the same title was offered to Lee but he declined. Lee and Goh were appointed as senior advisers to the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) respectively.[4]
Four days later, on 18 May, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced a new Cabinet line-up. In addition to Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Chok Tong, George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua, four other ministers retired: Wong Kan Seng, Mah Bow Tan, Lim Boon Heng and Raymond Lim.[5] Two ministers, Lim Hng Kiang and Lim Swee Say, retained their respective Trade and Industry and Prime Minister's Office portfolios, while existing ministers were appointed to new positions in the remaining 11 ministries. Tharman Shanmugaratnam was promoted to Deputy Prime Minister and appointed Minister for Manpower in addition to his portfolio of Minister for Finance, replacing Wong Kan Seng. S. Iswaran, formerly Senior Minister of State for Education and for Trade and Industry, was elevated to the Cabinet as Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, and Second Minister for Home Affairs and for Trade and Industry. Heng Swee Keat and Chan Chun Sing, both elected to Parliament for the first time, were respectively assigned the posts of Minister for Education, and Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and Minister of State for the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts.[6] Heng was the first new MP directly appointed a full minister since 1984.[7]
With effect from 21 May 2011, the Cabinet of Singapore consisted of the following persons:[8]
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Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries
Where Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries were concerned, new appointments were made following the 2011 general election, including the appointment of three newly elected MPs: Sim Ann, Tan Chuan-Jin and Lawrence Wong. Backbenchers Halimah Yacob and Josephine Teo were made Ministers of State.[9] With effect from 21 May 2011 the following Members of Parliament were appointed as Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries:[8]
| Portfolio | Member of Parliament |
|---|---|
| Senior Ministers of State | |
|
Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts |
Grace Fu Hai Yien |
| Prime Minister's Office | Heng Chee How |
| Ministers of State | |
|
Ministry of Trade and Industry |
Lee Yi Shyan |
| Ministry of Health | Amy Khor Lean Suan |
|
Ministry of Home Affairs |
Masagos Zulkifli |
| Ministry of Trade and Industry | Teo Ser Luck |
| Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports | Halimah Yacob |
|
Ministry of Finance |
Josephine Teo |
|
Ministry of Communications, Information and the Arts |
Chan Chun Sing |
|
Ministry of Defence |
Lawrence Wong |
|
Ministry of National Development |
Tan Chuan-Jin |
| Senior Parliamentary Secretaries | |
|
Ministry of Education |
Hawazi Daipi |
|
Ministry of Defence |
Mohamad Maliki Osman |
|
Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
Sam Tan Chin Siong |
|
Ministry of Education |
Sim Ann |
| Parliamentary Secretaries | |
| None | |
Reshuffles
As of 1 August and 1 November 2012
On 31 July 2012, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced several changes to his Cabinet and other appointments. With effect from 1 August, Grace Fu was promoted to Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, the second woman to be appointed a full minister in Singapore.[10] Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Lui Tuck Yew relinquished their respective appointments as Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs to Tan Chuan-Jin and Grace Fu, while Yaacob Ibrahim became Minister for Communications and Information. With effect from 1 November, Chan Chun Sing was redesignated Acting Minister for Social and Family Development, while Lawrence Wong was brought into the Cabinet for the first time as Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.[11]
Thus, as of 1 November 2012, the composition of the Cabinet was as follows:[12]
The following changes to the Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries were also made with effect from 1 August 2012 (or 1 November, if so indicated):[12]
| Portfolio | Member of Parliament |
|---|---|
| Senior Ministers of State | |
| Prime Minister's Office | Heng Chee How |
| Ministry of Communications and Information (from 1 November 2012) | Lawrence Wong |
| Ministry of Defence | Chan Chun Sing |
|
Ministry of Home Affairs |
Masagos Zulkifli |
|
Ministry of Law (from 1 November 2012) |
Indranee Rajah |
| Ministry of National Development | Tan Chuan-Jin |
|
Ministry of Trade and Industry |
Lee Yi Shyan |
| Ministers of State | |
| Ministry of Social and Family Development (from 1 November 2012) | Halimah Yacob |
|
Ministry of Health |
Amy Khor Lean Suan |
|
Ministry of Transport |
Josephine Teo |
| Ministry of Trade and Industry | Teo Ser Luck |
| Senior Parliamentary Secretaries | |
|
Ministry of Defence |
Mohamad Maliki Osman |
|
Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
Sam Tan Chin Siong |
|
Ministry of Education |
Hawazi Daipi |
|
Ministry of Communications and Information (from 1 November 2012) |
Sim Ann |
| Parliamentary Secretary | |
|
Ministry of Health |
Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim |
As of 1 September 2013
On 28 August 2013, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced several changes to his Cabinet and other appointments. With effect from 1 September, Chan Chun Sing was promoted to the full Minister and will continue to helm the Ministry of Social and Family Development.[13] Mr. Chan was also appointed the second minister for the Ministry of Defence. Tan Chuan-Jin relinquished his appointment as Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of National Development while maintaining his post as an acting Manpower minister.[14][15]
Thus, as of 1 September 2013, the composition of the Cabinet was as follows:[16]
Changes to the Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries were also made with effect from 1 September 2013. Amy Khor and Josephine Teo were promoted to Senior Minister of State while Mohamad Maliki Osman, Sim Ann and Desmond Lee were given the post of Minister of State in their respective ministries. Low Yen Ling was appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Social and Family Development from 1 October 2013 onwards.[14][15]
| Portfolio | Member of Parliament |
|---|---|
| Senior Ministers of State | |
| Prime Minister's Office | Heng Chee How |
|
Ministry of Home Affairs |
Masagos Zulkifli |
|
Ministry of Law |
Indranee Rajah |
|
Ministry of Trade and Industry |
Lee Yi Shyan |
| Ministry of Communications and Information | Lawrence Wong |
|
Ministry of Health |
Amy Khor Lean Suan |
|
Ministry of Transport |
Josephine Teo |
| Ministers of State | |
| Ministry of Trade and Industry | Teo Ser Luck |
|
Ministry of Communications and Information |
Sim Ann |
| Ministry of Defence | Mohamad Maliki Osman |
| Ministry of National Development | Desmond Lee |
| Senior Parliamentary Secretaries | |
|
Ministry of Education |
Hawazi Daipi |
|
Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
Sam Tan Chin Siong |
| Parliamentary Secretary | |
|
Ministry of Health |
Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim |
| Ministry of Social and Family Development | Low Yen Ling |
As of 1 May 2014
Changes to the Cabinet and other appointments were announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 29 April 2014. With effect from 1 May, Tan Chuan-Jin and Lawrence Wong were promoted to full ministers of the Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth respectively. Tan relinquished his appointment as Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of National Development.[17]
Changes to the Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries were also made with effect from 1 May 2014. Sam Tan relinquished his appointment in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs upon being promoted to Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office and for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Dr. Lam Pin Min was appointed Minister of State for Health with effect from 1 August, while Low Yen Ling was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth in addition to her current portfolio in the Ministry of Social and Family Development from 1 May.[17]
| Portfolio | Member of Parliament |
|---|---|
| Senior Ministers of State | |
|
Ministry of Health |
Amy Khor Lean Suan |
|
Ministry of Home Affairs |
Masagos Zulkifli |
|
Ministry of Law |
Indranee Rajah |
|
Ministry of Trade and Industry |
Lee Yi Shyan |
|
Ministry of Transport |
Josephine Teo |
|
Prime Minister's Office |
Heng Chee How |
| Ministers of State | |
|
Ministry of Communications and Information |
Sim Ann |
|
Ministry of Defence |
Mohamad Maliki Osman |
| Ministry of Health (from 1 August 2014) | Lam Pin Min |
|
Ministry of National Development |
Desmond Lee |
| Ministry of Trade and Industry | Teo Ser Luck |
|
Prime Minister's Office |
Sam Tan Chin Siong |
| Senior Parliamentary Secretaries | |
|
Ministry of Education |
Hawazi Daipi |
| Parliamentary Secretary | |
|
Ministry of Health |
Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim |
|
Ministry of Social and Family Development |
Low Yen Ling |
Source: Press Statement from the Prime Minister on Changes to Cabinet and Other Appointments, Prime Minister's Office, 29 April 2014, archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
As of 9 April and 4 May 2015
Changes to the Cabinet and other appointments were announced on 8 April 2015. With effect from 9 April, Chan Chun Sing relinquished his posts of Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Defence to become a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. Tan Chuan-Jin became Minister for Social and Family Development and will relinquish his post of Minister for Manpower on 4 May. Lim Swee Say will take over as Manpower Minister on that date. Lui Tuck Yew, currently Minister for Transport, took on the additional post of Second Minister for Defence as of 9 April. Masagos Zulkifli was promoted to full minister as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. This is the first time there are two Malay full ministers in the Cabinet, the other being Yaacob Ibrahim.[18]
Source: Press Statement from the Prime Minister on Changes to Cabinet and Other Appointments, Prime Minister's Office, 8 April 2015, archived from the original on 10 April 2015.
As Masagos Zulkifli was also promoted to Second Minister for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs, he has ceased to be a Senior Minister of State in these ministries.[18]
| Portfolio | Member of Parliament |
|---|---|
| Senior Ministers of State | |
|
Ministry of Health |
Amy Khor Lean Suan |
|
Ministry of Law |
Indranee Rajah |
|
Ministry of Trade and Industry |
Lee Yi Shyan |
|
Ministry of Transport |
Josephine Teo |
|
Prime Minister's Office |
Heng Chee How |
| Ministers of State | |
|
Ministry of Communications and Information |
Sim Ann |
|
Ministry of Defence |
Mohamad Maliki Osman |
| Ministry of Health | Lam Pin Min |
|
Ministry of National Development |
Desmond Lee |
| Ministry of Trade and Industry | Teo Ser Luck |
|
Prime Minister's Office |
Sam Tan Chin Siong |
| Senior Parliamentary Secretaries | |
|
Ministry of Education |
Hawazi Daipi |
| Parliamentary Secretary | |
|
Ministry of Health |
Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim |
|
Ministry of Social and Family Development |
Low Yen Ling |
Sources: Press Statement from the Prime Minister on Changes to Cabinet and Other Appointments, Prime Minister's Office, 29 April 2014, archived from the original on 14 July 2014; Press Statement from the Prime Minister on Changes to Cabinet and Other Appointments, Prime Minister's Office, 8 April 2015, archived from the original on 10 April 2015.
Summary
| Name | 21.5.2011 | 1.8.2012 | 1.11.2012 | 1.9.2013 | 1.5.2014 | 9.4.2015 | 4.5.2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Ministers | ||||||||
| Lee Hsien Loong | Prime Minister | |||||||
| Teo Chee Hean | Deputy Prime Minister Min, Home Affairs | |||||||
| Tharman Shanmugaratnam | Deputy Prime Minister Min, Finance Min, Manpower | Deputy Prime Minister Min, Finance | ||||||
| Lim Hng Kiang | Min, Trade & Industry | |||||||
| Lim Swee Say | Min, PMO | Min, Manpower | ||||||
| Yaacob Ibrahim | Min, Information, Communications & the Arts | Min, Communications & Information | ||||||
| Khaw Boon Wan | Min, National Development | |||||||
| Ng Eng Hen | Min, Defence | |||||||
| Vivian Balakrishnan | Min, Environment & Water Resources | |||||||
| K Shanmugam | Min, Foreign Affairs Min, Law | |||||||
| Gan Kim Yong | Min, Health | |||||||
| Lui Tuck Yew | Min, Transport 2M, Foreign Affairs | Min, Transport | Min, Transport 2M, Defence | |||||
| S Iswaran | Min, PMO 2M, Home Affairs 2M, Trade & Industry | |||||||
| Heng Swee Keat | Min, Education | |||||||
| Grace Fu | SMS, Information, Communications & the Arts SMS, Environment & Water Resources | Min, PMO 2M, Environment & Water Resources 2M, Foreign Affairs | ||||||
| Chan Chun Sing | Ag Min, Community Development, Youth & Sports MOS, Information, Communications & the Arts | Ag Min, Community Development, Youth & Sports SMS, Defence | Ag Min, Social & Family Development SMS, Defence | Min, Social & Family Development 2M, Defence | Min, PMO | |||
| Tan Chuan-Jin | MOS, National Development MOS, Manpower | Ag Min, Manpower SMS, National Development | Ag Min, Manpower | Min, Manpower | Min, Manpower Min, Social & Family Development | Min, Social & Family Development | ||
| Lawrence Wong | MOS, Defence MOS, Education | SMS, Information, Communications & the Arts SMS, Education | Ag Min, Culture, Community & Youth SMS, Communications & Information | Min, Culture, Community & Youth 2M, Communications & Information | ||||
| Masagos Zulkifli | MOS, Home Affairs MOS, Foreign Affairs | SMS, Home Affairs SMS, Foreign Affairs | Min, PMO 2M, Home Affairs 2M, Foreign Affairs | |||||
| Senior/ Ministers of State and Senior/ Parliamentary Secretaries | ||||||||
| Heng Chee How | SMS, PMO | |||||||
| Lee Yi Shyan | MOS, Trade & Industry MOS, National Development | SMS, Trade & Industry SMS, National Development | ||||||
| Indranee Rajah | - | SMS, Law SMS, Education | ||||||
| Amy Khor | MOS, Health | MOS, Health MOS, Manpower | SMS, Health SMS, Manpower | |||||
| Josephine Teo | MOS, Finance MOS, Transport | SMS, Finance SMS, Transport | ||||||
| Teo Ser Luck | MOS, Trade & Industry | |||||||
| Halimah Yacob | MOS, Community Development, Youth & Sports | MOS, Social & Family Development | - | |||||
| Mohamad Maliki Osman | SPS, Defence SPS, National Development | MOS, Defence MOS, National Development | ||||||
| Sim Ann | SPS, Education SPS, Law | SPS, Education SPS, Communications & Information | MOS, Education MOS, Communications and Information | |||||
| Desmond Lee | - | MOS, National Development | ||||||
| Sam Tan | SPS, Foreign Affairs SPS, Community Development, Youth & Sports | SPS, Foreign Affairs SPS, Culture, Community & Youth | MOS, PMO MOS, Culture, Community & Youth | |||||
| Lam Pin Min | - | MOS, Health | ||||||
| Hawazi Daipi | SPS, Education SPS, Manpower | |||||||
| Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim | - | PS, Health PS, Transport | ||||||
| Low Yen Ling | - | PS, Social & Family Development | PS, Social & Family Development PS, Culture, Community & Youth | |||||
References
- Zakir Hussain (25 March 2011), "Veterans Jayakumar and Abdullah stepping down", The Straits Times; Leong Wee Keat (26 March 2011), "East Coast: The GRC to watch?", Today, archived from the original on 18 May 2011.
- "81–6: Workers' Party wins Aljunied GRC; PAP vote share dips to 60.1%", The Sunday Times, Singapore, pp. 1 & 4, 8 May 2011; Low Chee Kong (8 May 2011), "A new chapter and a time for healing: PAP wins 81 out of 87 seats; WP takes Hougang, Aljunied", Today (Special Ed.), pp. 1 & 4, archived from the original on 9 May 2011.
- Singapore founding father Lee Kuan Yew resigns, BBC News, 14 May 2011; Zuraidah Ibrahim (15 May 2011), "Lee Kuan Yew steps down: He and Goh Chok Tong retire to give PM room to break from the past", The Sunday Times, Singapore, pp. A1–A2; Eugene K[heng] B[oon] Tan (16 May 2011), "A new, post-Lee Kuan Yew era: Departure reinforces belief that Singapore system based on institutions not personalities", Today, archived from the original on 18 May 2011.
- Zakir Hussain (19 May 2011), "PM accepts MM, SM's offer to step down: They will be senior advisers to GIC, MAS respectively", The Straits Times, p. A3; Leong Wee Keat, "MM Lee and SM Goh to become Senior Advisers to GIC, MAS respectively", Today, p. 4, archived from the original on 19 May 2011.
- Neo Chai Chin; Ng Jing Yng (19 May 2011), "Three other ministers step down ...: Mr Wong Kan Seng, Mr Mah Bow Tan and Mr Raymond Lim", Today, p. 10, archived from the original on 20 May 2011.
- Lydia Lim (19 May 2011), "Radical reshuffle", The Straits Times, pp. A1 & A4; Loh Chee Kong, "PM goes for a 'radical change': I wanted a fresh start, says Prime Minister", Today, pp. 1 & 3, archived from the original on 19 May 2011.
- Rachel Chang (19 May 2011), "First new MP named minister since 1984: But former MAS chief is heading Education, not Finance as some expected", The Straits Times, p. A7; Esther Ng (19 May 2011), "Immediate appointments not surprising", Today, p. 6, archived from the original on 19 May 2011.
- "PM's new cabinet" (PDF), The Straits Times, p. A7, 19 May 2011, archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2011.
- Rachel Chang; Andrea Ong (19 May 2011), "PM to test 'Fabulous Five' by putting them in key posts", The Straits Times, p. A7; Tan Weizhen (19 May 2011), "New office-holders keen to engage the public and tackle hot issues", Today, p. 8, archived from the original on 19 May 2011; Lynda Hong Ee Lyn (19 May 2011), "Ministers of State eager to make an impact", Today, p. 8, archived from the original on 19 May 2011.
- Jeremy Au Yong (1 August 2012), "Grace Fu promoted to full minister", The Straits Times, p. A8; Amir Hussain (1 August 2012), "Grace Fu promoted to Minister in PMO: Indranee Rajah also promoted, will be Senior Minister of State for Law and Education", Today, p. 2, archived from the original on 1 August 2012.
- Singapore reshuffles Cabinet, Channel NewsAsia, 31 July 2012; Lydia Lim (1 August 2012), "Younger ministers move up in Cabinet reshuffle: PM sets up new ministry, and refocuses two others", The Straits Times, p. A1; Goh Chin Lian (1 August 2012), "PM steps up pace of political renewal: Tan Chuan-Jin, Lawrence Wong from 2011 batch made Acting Ministers", The Straits Times, p. A8; Amir Hussain (1 August 2012), "2 new faces in the Cabinet", Today, pp. 1–2, archived from the original on 1 August 2012.
- Cabinet and Other Office Holders (wef 1 Nov 2012) (PDF), Prime Minister's Office, 31 July 2012, archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2012; "PM's new cabinet" (PDF), The Straits Times, p. A8, 1 August 2012, archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2012.
- Imelda Saad (28 August 2013), Chan Chun Sing promoted to full minister: Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing will become a full minister from September 1, and will continue to helm the ministry, Channel NewsAsia.
- Press Statement from the Prime Minister on changes to Cabinet and other appointments, Prime Minister's Office, 28 August 2013, archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
- Tan Weizhen (29 August 2013), "PM makes changes to Cabinet: Varied range of talent, abilities needed as governance becomes 'more complicated and intense'", Today, pp. 1–2, archived from the original on 30 August 2013 Alt URL.
- Cabinet and Other Office Holders (wef 1 Sep 2013 unless stated otherwise) (PDF), Prime Minister's Office, 28 August 2013
- Press Statement from the Prime Minister on Changes to Cabinet and Other Appointments, Prime Minister's Office, 29 April 2014, archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
- Press Statement from the Prime Minister on Changes to Cabinet and Other Appointments, Prime Minister's Office, 8 April 2015, archived from the original on 10 April 2015; Fiona Chan (9 April 2015), "Masagos promoted to full minister in Cabinet changes: Chun Sing to be labour chief in May, Swee Say to helm Manpower", The Straits Times, p. A1; Neo Chai Chin (9 April 2015), "Masagos promoted in Cabinet reshuffle: Presence for the first time of two Malay-Muslim full Ministers in Cabinet 'shows progress of community'", Today, pp. 1–2, archived from the original on 10 April 2015.