Tan Chuan-Jin (陈川仁; 陳川仁; Tân Chhoan-jîn; Chén Chuānrén; born 10 January 1969) is a Singaporean politician and the 10th Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore. A member of the country's governing People's Action Party (PAP), he has served in the Cabinet since May 2014 as the Minister for Manpower (May 2014 – May 2015) and the Minister for Social and Family Development (May 2015 - Sept 2017). He has been a Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency since May 2011.[1] Before entering politics, he served in the Singapore Army, rising to the rank of Brigadier-General.
On 5 September 2017, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced he will nominate Tan as the next Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore. Tan's new role comes following the resignation of Halimah Yacob as Speaker to contest in the Presidential Elections 2017. He was formally elected on 11 September 2017 as Singapore's 10th Speaker of Parliament.
Tan is also the President of the Singapore National Olympic Council, a position which he has held since 2014.[2]
Career[]
Military career[]
In 1987, Tan joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). He went on to hold the positions of Commanding Officer of 3rd Guards Battalion, Army Attaché in Jakarta, Commander of the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, Assistant Chief of the General Staff (Plans), Commander of 3rd Division, and Commander of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), and rose to the rank of Brigadier-General.[3][4]
Following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, Tan served as the commander of the SAF's Humanitarian Assistance Task Force in Meulaboh, Indonesia.[5][6]
In 2009, Tan served as the Chairman of the Executive Committee for Singapore's National Day Parade.
On 25 March 2011, Tan left the SAF in order to stand for Parliament.
Political career[]
Tan stood as a PAP candidate in the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency, led by former prime minister Goh Chok Tong at the 2011 general election. The PAP's team in the constituency defeated the team from the opposition National Solidarity Party, by 78,286 votes (56.65%) to 59,926 (43.35%). Tan has since served as the MP responsible for the Kembangan-Chai Chee ward.
On 21 May 2011, Tan was appointed a Minister of State at the Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of National Development.
On 1 May 2014, Tan was made a member of the Cabinet and assumed the role of Minister for Manpower.[7]
At Ministry of Manpower, Chuan-Jin championed low income workers, as he introduced the progressive wage model and led Government efforts to protect these workers and improve their lives.
As Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of National Development (MND), Chuan-Jin built good rapport with the heritage, nature, environmental and animal welfare groups. He involved them in working out solutions for the Rail Corridor and Bukit Brown. Other collaborations resulted in Singapore first Marine Park and amendments to the Animal and Birds Act. Chuan-Jin continues to advise MND informally on environmental and animal welfare issues.[8]
On 4 May 2015, Tan relinquished his role as Minister for Manpower and became the Minister for Social and Family Development as part of a Cabinet reshuffle.[9]
As Minister for Social and Family Development (MSF), Chuan-Jin has taken a deep interest in social issues, and in helping the needy and disadvantaged. He launched many initiatives, e.g. KidStart for children of disadvantaged families, and SG Cares to encourage Singaporeans to give back to society. These programmes will deepen our social capital and help build a more gracious, compassionate and cohesive society.
Lee Hsien Loong have asked him to maintain his interest in environmental and social issues, and his concern for the needy and disadvantaged. Chuan-Jin has agreed to continue advising MND on these issues, and to oversee SG Cares, after he becomes Speaker. To complement this, he will be appointed Advisor to NCSS Singapore. Naturally, Chuan-Jin will continue to lead Marine Parade GRC.
Chuan-Jin is also the President to the Singapore National Olympic Council. This is an elected post, not a Government appointment. He will keep on leading and inspiring Singapore ‘s sporting fraternity, as he did recently at the SEA Games[8].
On 11 September 2017, Tan relinquished his role as Minister for Social and Family Development and was elected as the 10th Speaker of Singapore Parliament.[10]
Education[]
Tan was educated at Anglo-Chinese School and Raffles Junior College. In 1988, he was awarded an SAF Overseas Scholarship to study in the United Kingdom, where he completed a BSc (Econ) degree at the London School of Economics and a Master of Arts degree in Defence Studies at King's College London.[11]
In 2008, he completed a Master in Public Management degree at the National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
Personal life[]
Tan is married with two children. He is an avid photographer and enjoys reading, watching movies and football.
References[]
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External links[]
- Profile at parliament.gov.sg
- Ministry of National Development
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