Singapore PM reshuffles cabinet to push policy changes

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong promoted two of his cabinet members to full ministers on Tuesday as part of a leadership renewal to push policy changes.

"Singapore is going through an important transition," Lee said. "I am strengthening the cabinet line-up to address our priorities and challenges, and see Singapore through our next phase of development."

Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin and Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, both introduced into the cabinet after entering politics by running the general election in 2011, will both be promoted to full ministers from May 1.

Wong, concurrently minister of state at the Ministry of Communications and Information, will also be promoted to Second Minister for Communications and Information.

Sam Tan, currently a senior parliamentary secretary in the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth, will be appointed minister of state. In addition, Lam Pin Min, a doctor, will be appointed minister of state at the Ministry for Health.

It was the third round of changes in cabinet appointments since the general election in 2011. Previously, Chan Chun Sing, who started his political career in 2011, had been promoted to full minister in September last year.

Lee said that Singapore is going through a transition with efforts such as upgrading workers' skills and raising productivity; promoting sports and culture and engaging the youth; strengthening the social safety nets through policies and enhancing support for the elderly and the medical support.

"These major policy shifts require good political leadership, close coordination across ministries, effective ground implementation, and strong support from Singaporeans," he said.

Lee said the appointments were part of his "government's continuing leadership renewal efforts."

"I expect to do further reshuffles from time to time, to ensure that we always have the best team for Singapore," he said.

Singapore's pro-government newspapers recently started reporting on new faces that are believed to be likely candidates in the next general election to be held by the second quarter of 2016.