Three women made ministers

WOMEN are back on the front benches of government after three years of absence and they want more to follow their lead into the political arena. 

The appointment of not just one, but three women office-holders sends a “clear and positive” signal that they can and should play a role in determining Singapore's future, said Lim Hwee Hua. 

The Marine Parade GRC MP, who is also a Deputy Speaker of Parliament, was appointed Minister of State with two portfolios – Finance and Transport. She will quit her job as managing director, strategic relations of Temasek Holdings, before being sworn into office today. 

First-term MP Dr Amy Khor, 46, also moves up to become Mayor of the South-west Community Development Council – becoming only the second MP after Heng Chee How to be made mayor in the first term as MP.  

Dr Khor takes over from Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, 54, who moves back to the Ministry of Community Development and Sports, which has been renamed the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.  

Yu-Foo, who was the ministry's Senior Parliamentary Secretary before becoming mayor in November 2001, will take on the role of Minister of State.  

The position of full-time mayor is on the same level as that of a Parliamentary Secretary or Minister of State. 

The appointment of women ministers to a Cabinet that has been all-male since Dr Aline Wong, who rose to Senior Minister of State before retiring at the 2001 election, will encourage more women to come forward and serve as MPs, said Lim.  

“I think the fact that there are three of us now is a good and positive signal because I do think that women out there actually expect a certain degree of participation at the highest level of government.  

“I would say the Prime Minister-designate has shown quite clearly that he's fully on board in terms of how women would think,” Lim said in an interview on Tuesday. 

The soft-spoken mother of three children aged between 13 and 21 is unfazed that she will be given two portfolios from the start and is looking forward to the challenges.  

“I think most of the Ministers of State actually do have two portfolios. It's not uncommon,” Lim, 45, said, adding that her experiences as an administrative officer and in the financial services sector will stand her in good stead. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network  

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