SINGAPORE: Singapore will have a new Law Minister from May 1. Mr K Shanmugam will take over from Professor S Jayakumar, who's been at the post for over two decades.

Mr Shanmugam will also concurrently hold the appointment of Second Minister for Home Affairs.

The long-term MP for Sembawang GRC and established lawyer takes on these new responsibilities just about a month after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced a mid-term Cabinet reshuffle.

Mr Shanmugam will be officially sworn in by President S R Nathan in a ceremony at the Istana on Friday.

While he is expected to undertake heavier responsibilities, he told MediaCorp Radio's 938 LIVE that he will still be doing regular walkabouts and that no new side of him will emerge as a result of his becoming the Law Minister.

Mr Shanmugam added that he hopes to study initiatives to make mediation a more attractive option in Singapore. - CNA/vm