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SINGAPORE : "Change amidst continuity": that sums up the general mood among MPs who received promotions in the latest Cabinet reshuffle.
Some also saw it as a timely leadership renewal.
In the cabinet changes announced on Saturday by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, there were six promotions in all.
Education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who has held the portfolio since 2004, will hand over to Manpower Minister, Dr Ng Eng Hen, who has served previously as Minister of State and Second Minister for Education.
Mr Tharman said: "He's got the experience of having spent several years in Education previously. He shares very much the directions that we've been taking in recent years. Whatever I have done has been part of a collective effort within the Ministry."
Noting that it is a "heavy responsibility", Dr Ng said in a statement that as Minister he will continue to diversify the educational landscape.
He said: "But I would like to spend the first few months, listening and learning - from MOE staff, teachers, parents and students themselves. I would like to visit more institutions to see how things have progressed, and what areas they think we can improve," he said.
He also thanked the unionists and employer partners for the support they had given him during his time as Manpower Minister.
Dr Ng passes the Manpower baton to Gan Kim Yong, who is appointed Acting Manpower Minister and promoted to Senior Minister of State.
Mr Gan had overseen the crafting of Singapore's re-employment laws.
And he said keeping older workers employable through education and training will continue to be his Ministry's focus.
Other issues include implementing CPF Life, and improving safety standards in the workplace.
Mr Gan added that creating a better work-life balance will continue to be of concern: "I think the key thrust is to ensure flexibility in our labour market so that we can continue to grow our economy and continue to create more jobs and better jobs for our people."
Newly-promoted Minister of State Lui Tuck Yew said what is key for him in the Education Ministry is to continue his work on the fourth university.
He is also looking forward to his new MICA portfolio.
Mr Lui said: "It is totally new to me. The first few months will be a steep learning experience. The best is to really go in listen to people, take time to pay attention to what they have to say, listen to their feedback and learn from them."
Joining Admiral Lui in the Education Ministry will be Grace Fu, who has been promoted to Senior Minister of State.
Ms Fu will keep her portfolio in the National Development Ministry.
In a statement to the media, Ms Fu said she was looking forward to working with her new colleagues at the Education Ministry. - CNA/ch
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