Singapore PM Lee and new cabinet sworn in

Singapore PM Lee and new cabinet sworn in

2011-05-22 00:18:46 GMT+7 (ICT)

SINGAPORE (BNO NEWS) -- Singapore's new cabinet was sworn into office on Saturday at the Istana, the presidential palace, Channel News Asia reported.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is at the helm of the 15-member cabinet, said the new government will focus on addressing important issues for Singaporeans, such as healthcare, housing, and immigration.

"We will take a totally fresh look at our problems and policies, and rethink what is necessary and best for Singapore's future. We will address the issues preoccupying Singaporeans, such as healthcare, housing, and immigration," he said during the swearing-in ceremony.

"We will review both the policies and their implementation, as well as our broader approach to tackling these issues. We must move quickly to address pockets of urgent need, even as we think through the more difficult long-term challenges. Though Singaporeans trust that our policies are mostly sound, nothing should be sacrosanct," he added, as cited by Channel News Asia.

The prime minister also said he has appointed a committee to review the ministerial salaries. Singapore ministers are one of the highest paid in the world and this has attracted its fair share of criticisms.

"We will always need committed and capable ministers. Politics is not a job or a career promotion. It is a calling to serve the larger good of Singapore," he said. "But ministers should also be paid properly in order that Singapore can have honest, competent leadership over the long term. I know that Singaporeans have genuine concerns over the present salaries."

The General Election on May 7 saw the People's Action Party's (PAP) vote share slip to a low of 60.1 per cent. The ruling PAP has governed Singapore for more than five decades.

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