Mr Chan Chun Sing's appointment to lead the Trade and
Industry Ministry (MTI) was one that political analysts had widely
expected, as it would give him more exposure to economic issues, as
a core member of the fourth-generation team.
With the Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday (April 24), Mr Chan,
48, will relinquish his role as Minister in the Prime Minister's
Office.
It also means that MTI will come under one minister
when the new appointments take effect on May 1.
MTI is now led by two ministers - Mr Lim Hng Kiang, who
oversees trade, and Mr S. Iswaran, who leads industry.
Analysts who spoke to The Straits Times before
Tuesday's announcement noted that Mr Chan, one of the three front
runners to be Singapore's next prime minister, has not had
experience leading an economics-related portfolio.
An appointment at MTI would help round out his
experience, they said.
In a statement he posted on Facebook, Mr Chan said he
felt "greatly privileged" to join the MTI team. "In a way, the new
role at MTI is an extension of the work in NTUC to ensure that our
working people can continue to benefit from good jobs and our
businesses can have the opportunities to become more competitive,"
he said.
"I look forward to working even more closely with the
business community and labour movement to write the next chapter of
our country's economic development."
Mr Lim, who is retiring after 26 years as an
office-holder and 14 years as MTI minister, will stay on at
MTI as a special adviser at Mr Chan's request.
He will provide advice on economic strategy and
international trade.
Mr Chan said: "His years of leadership experience in
trade negotiations and industrial development are invaluable and I
am glad that MTI and I will continue to benefit from his
counsel."
Mr Iswaran will be Minister for Communications and
Information, but will also stay on at MTI to guide Mr Chan, in the
newly created role of Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations.
Mr Chan said: "I am also happy that Minister Iswaran
will help to oversee various trade negotiations at MTI, given his
familiarity with the stakeholders and issues involved."
Mr Chan, who entered politics in 2011 as an MP for
Tanjong Pagar GRC, was previously Acting Minister for Community
Development, Youth and Sports, and Minister for Social and Family
Development.
He was also Minister of State for Information,
Communication and the Arts and Second Minister for Defence.
The secretary-general of the National Trades Union
Congress (NTUC) is expected to relinquish his labour movement
position to focus on his new portfolio at MTI.
Mr Chan has built up a reputation as a strong advocate
for blue and white-collar workers in his three years at the
helm of the labour movement.
Under his charge, NTUC called on the Government to
expand the Employment Act to cover workers of all salary levels,
and not just those earning up to $4,500 monthly - a recommendation
that the Manpower Ministry accepted.
On Monday, it was announced that Mr Ng Chee Meng,
now the Education Minister (Schools), has been co-opted into the
labour movement as deputy secretary-general of NTUC, and will serve
it full time from May 1 - a strong indication that he will take
over Mr Chan's role as labour chief.
Mr Chan will also be
taking over responsibility for the Public Service Division from Deputy
Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.
"DPM Teo Chee Hean has led the civil service for many
years and established a strong foundation for our civil service,"
Mr Chan wrote in his statement.
"I will now build on his foundations and work with the
many committed civil servants to keep our civil service as a pillar
of our country's progress, serving our nation and Singaporeans with
integrity, dedication and distinction."
