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SINGAPORE - Despite being a new face in political circles, Brigadier-General (NS) Tan Chuan-Jin has been entrusted with not one, but two, Minister of State portfolios - for Manpower and National Development.
Speaking to Today, after being named an office-holder yesterday, the 42-year-old former Army general said he would adopt a listen-and-learn approach, not only with those in the ministry, but also with the public.
One thing that he is clear about: Policies which are formulated must avoid being too academic, rather they must address the needs of Singaporeans, said BG (NS) Tan.
Asked how he was approaching his new role, BG (NS) Tan said: "I'm already arranging to meet up with many people.
"In learning the ropes, I will be talking to people who have been much respected ... and experienced in the ministries, and seek their advice." BG (NS) Tan also emphasised the need to look at those who have fallen through the cracks in policies. "The bulk of our policies have worked pretty well but no policy benefits everyone equally," he said.
Looking at his twin portfolios, BG (NS) Tan said he was looking forward to tackling the hot issues of housing and immigration, which he felt were in turn linked to labour.
Keeping an ear to the ground and engaging the public is also something that Ms Sim Ann, another new face to be appointed an office-holder, aims to do.
Ms Sim, 36, who will be Senior Parliamentary Secretary at the Law and Education ministries, said she plans to form partnerships within the Civil Service as well as with the public when formulating policies.
"We have to learn better ways of communicating policies, by being clear, direct and accessible ... in explaining (policies) to the public, we are overburdened by details ... which end up sounding very cold and clinical to people," said Ms Sim, who added that she plans to listen "with heart".
Ms Sim said she would also be keen to examine the issue of bilingualism in education, although she would be open on what issues to focus on when she enters office.
Education was also on the mind of another new face, Mr Lawrence Wong, one of the handful of high-fliers tipped to become an office-holder after the General Election.
Yesterday, Mr Wong, 38, was named Minister of State at both the Education and Defence ministries.
Speaking to Today, he noted that education was something "close to his heart".
"When it comes to problems like the widening income gap, the best solution is education," said Mr Wong.
As for his defence portfolio, Mr Wong noted that defence was crucial to the country, especially in the face of terrorism and growing unconventional threats such as cyber warfare.
-mt/TODAY
Speaking to Today, after being named an office-holder yesterday, the 42-year-old former Army general said he would adopt a listen-and-learn approach, not only with those in the ministry, but also with the public.
One thing that he is clear about: Policies which are formulated must avoid being too academic, rather they must address the needs of Singaporeans, said BG (NS) Tan.
Asked how he was approaching his new role, BG (NS) Tan said: "I'm already arranging to meet up with many people.
"In learning the ropes, I will be talking to people who have been much respected ... and experienced in the ministries, and seek their advice." BG (NS) Tan also emphasised the need to look at those who have fallen through the cracks in policies. "The bulk of our policies have worked pretty well but no policy benefits everyone equally," he said.
Looking at his twin portfolios, BG (NS) Tan said he was looking forward to tackling the hot issues of housing and immigration, which he felt were in turn linked to labour.
Keeping an ear to the ground and engaging the public is also something that Ms Sim Ann, another new face to be appointed an office-holder, aims to do.
Ms Sim, 36, who will be Senior Parliamentary Secretary at the Law and Education ministries, said she plans to form partnerships within the Civil Service as well as with the public when formulating policies.
"We have to learn better ways of communicating policies, by being clear, direct and accessible ... in explaining (policies) to the public, we are overburdened by details ... which end up sounding very cold and clinical to people," said Ms Sim, who added that she plans to listen "with heart".
Ms Sim said she would also be keen to examine the issue of bilingualism in education, although she would be open on what issues to focus on when she enters office.
Education was also on the mind of another new face, Mr Lawrence Wong, one of the handful of high-fliers tipped to become an office-holder after the General Election.
Yesterday, Mr Wong, 38, was named Minister of State at both the Education and Defence ministries.
Speaking to Today, he noted that education was something "close to his heart".
"When it comes to problems like the widening income gap, the best solution is education," said Mr Wong.
As for his defence portfolio, Mr Wong noted that defence was crucial to the country, especially in the face of terrorism and growing unconventional threats such as cyber warfare.
-mt/TODAY
