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SINGAPORE : K Shanmugam was officially sworn in as Singapore's Law Minister on Friday.
He said he will have to learn to juggle his time between his new cabinet appointments and the president of the Singapore Indian Development Association.
He also urged the Indian community to improve itself in facing challenges like educating the young, so that they can face global competition.
Mr Shanmugam takes over the helm of the Law Ministry from Professor S Jayakumar, who had held the post for more than 20 years.
The 49-year-old will also hold a second appointment of Second Home Affairs Minister.
The ceremony at the Istana was presided by President S R Nathan and witnessed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Mr Shanmugam's family was also present.
Mr Shanmugam first joined politics as a Member of Parliament of the Sembawang GRC in 1988.
The new minister said the role of an MP and minister is quite different, and he is reasonably confident of making a complete switch from a practising lawyer to public office.
Mr Shanmugam said: "If you're asking me what my plans are, as I've said previously, I need to settle in, look at the many issues that have been put up...
"It really is not very responsible to start saying 'I'm doing this (and) that...' without having understood the issues and the facts." - CNA/ms
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