Tan Chuan-Jin

In 1987, Tan joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). He went on to hold the positions of Commanding Officer of 3rd Guards Battalion, Army Attaché in Jakarta, Commander of the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, Assistant Chief of the General Staff (Plans), Commander of 3rd Division, and Commander of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), and rose to the rank of Brigadier-General.[3][4]

Following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, Tan served as the commander of the SAF's Humanitarian Assistance Task Force in Meulaboh, Indonesia.[5][6]

In 2009, Tan served as the Chairman of the Executive Committee for Singapore's National Day Parade.

On 25 March 2011, Tan left the SAF in order to stand for Parliament.

Tan stood as a PAP candidate in the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency, led by former prime minister Goh Chok Tong at the 2011 general election. The PAP's team in the constituency defeated the team from the opposition National Solidarity Party, by 78,286 votes (56.65%) to 59,926 (43.35%). Tan has since served as the MP responsible for the Kembangan-Chai Chee ward.

On 21 May 2011, Tan was appointed a Minister of State at the Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of National Development.

On 1 May 2014, Tan was made a member of the Cabinet and assumed the role of Minister for Manpower.[7]

At Ministry of Manpower, Chuan-Jin championed low income workers, as he introduced the progressive wage model and led Government efforts to protect these workers and improve their lives.

As Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of National Development (MND), Chuan-Jin built good rapport with the heritage, nature, environmental and animal welfare groups. He involved them in working out solutions for the Rail Corridor and Bukit Brown. Other collaborations resulted in Singapore first Marine Park and amendments to the Animal and Birds Act. Chuan-Jin continues to advise MND informally on environmental and animal welfare issues.[8]

On 4 May 2015, Tan relinquished his role as Minister for Manpower and became the Minister for Social and Family Development as part of a Cabinet reshuffle.[9]

As Minister for Social and Family Development (MSF), Chuan-Jin has taken a deep interest in social issues, and in helping the needy and disadvantaged. He launched many initiatives, e.g. KidStart for children of disadvantaged families, and SG Cares to encourage Singaporeans to give back to society. These programmes will deepen our social capital and help build a more gracious, compassionate and cohesive society.

Lee Hsien Loong has asked him to maintain his interest in environmental and social issues, and his concern for the needy and disadvantaged. Chuan-Jin has agreed to continue advising MND on these issues, and to oversee SG Cares, after he becomes Speaker. To complement this, he will be appointed Advisor to NCSS Singapore. Naturally, Chuan-Jin will continue to lead Marine Parade GRC.

Chuan-Jin is also the President to the Singapore National Olympic Council. This is an elected post, not a Government appointment. He will keep on leading and inspiring Singapore ‘s sporting fraternity, as he did recently at the SEA Games.[8]

On 11 September 2017, Tan relinquished his role as Minister for Social and Family Development and was elected as the 10th Speaker of Singapore Parliament.[10]