Losing minister to Speaker's post a tough call: PM

Singapore

THE decision to nominate Cabinet minister Tan Chuan-Jin as Singapore's next Speaker of Parliament was a "difficult" one, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as this means losing an "effective and activist" minister at the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

Noting that it was "not easy" to find a suitable replacement to be Speaker, PM Lee said Mr Tan has the "temperament and personality" to take on the role that requires him to preside over parliamentary debates and ensure a fair and full discussion of national issues.

It was annou…