Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong named deputy prime minister

He will be acting prime minister whenever the Singapore leader is absent.

Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong will be the deputy prime minister starting 13 June 2022, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong declared.

Wong will also become acting prime minister if Lee is absent. He will also assume responsibility for the strategy group within the Prime Minister’s Office, taking over from Heng Swee Keat.

Meanwhile, Tan Kiat How will be promoted to senior minister of state but he will continue his duties in the Ministry of Communications and Information and the Ministry of National Development.

Eric Chua, who is currently in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Social and Family Development, will be designated as Senior Parliamentary Secretary. But Chua will still remain in his current position.

Rahayu Mahzam will also be promoted to Senior Parliamentary Secretary and she will also take up a new post in the Ministry of Law. She will continue her duties in the Ministry of Health but will turn over her appointment in the Ministry of Communications and Information.

Chee Hong Tat will be appointed as Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance. He will still continue his post in the Ministry of Transport.

Koh Poh Koon will take over as Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment. He will continue in the Ministry of Manpower but will leave his position in the Ministry of Health.

Sun Xueling will be appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs. She will still work in the Ministry of Social and Family Development but leave her appointment in the Ministry of Education.

Desmond Tan will be appointed Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. He will relinquish his designations in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment.

Baey Yam Keng will be designated Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment. He will also stay in the Ministry of Transport.

The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) also approved the Prime Minister’s request for Chee to return to the Government full-time, and accepted his proposal for Tan to join the NTUC.