Desmond Lee replaces Heng Swee Keat as PAP chairman; Ong Ye Kung made party treasurer
[SINGAPORE] Education Minister Desmond Lee has been appointed as the new chairman of the ruling PAP.
Lee, who was the party’s assistant secretary-general, succeeds former Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who has retired from politics.
The PAP also announced other changes to its top leadership body on Thursday (May 29), with two fourth-generation leaders taking on more central roles. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung has been appointed party treasurer, while National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat is now assistant treasurer.
Ong, who was formerly assistant treasurer, succeeds Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam. Shanmugam remains in the PAP’s central executive committee (CEC).
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim has been co-opted as a new CEC member. He fills Heng’s vacant spot on the 18-member CEC.
The PAP also made leadership changes to its Malay Affairs Bureau and Young PAP.
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Associate Professor Faishal will chair the Malay Affairs Bureau, a role formerly held by Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifl.
Alvin Tan, who is Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development, has been appointed chairperson of Young PAP. He replaces Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and Environment, and Education Janil Puthucheary.
There were no other changes to key appointments. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is the PAP’s secretary-general, while Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing is assistant secretary-general.
The new appointments take effect from May 29, said the PAP in a statement.
The CEC expressed its appreciation to Heng for his years of leadership and service to the party and Singapore, and wished him a fulfilling retirement from politics. THE STRAITS TIMES
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