SINGAPORE RESHUFFLES CABINET

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab

SINGAPORE, March 27 (Bernama) - The Singapore Government will reshuffle its
Cabinet next week, as part of its continuing leadership renewal and testing out
young leaders for broader responsibilities.

In a statement here Thursday, the Prime Minister's Office said the changes
which will take effect from April 1, will see Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean,
54, appointed as deputy prime minister.

He replaces Professor S. Jayakumar, 69.

Teo, who will continue as defence minister, will also be the Acting Prime
Minister in the absence of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Jayakumar will still be in the government as he will be appointed Senior
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and continue as co-ordinating minister
for national security.

He will also continue to oversee foreign policy matters which cut across
different ministries and take charge of foreign policy issues which involve
legal negotiation or international adjudication.

Jayakumar would also continue to chair the Inter-Ministerial Committee on
Climate Change, the statement said.

Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, 50, will be appointed as full
minister of the manpower ministry.

Second Minister for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hua, 50, will get an
extra appointment as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office.

Senior Minister of State Lui Tuck Yew, 47, will relinquish his appointment
in education and will be appointed acting minister for information,
communications and the arts, replacing Dr Lee Boon Yang who is set to retire.

Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Trade and Industry S. Iswaran,
46, will get an additional job as senior minister of state in the edcuation
ministry.

Minister of State in the Trade and Industry Ministry Lee Yi Shyan, 47, will
get another post as minister of state in the ministry of manpower.

-- BERNAMA