Senior Minister facts for kids

The Senior Minister (also known as Menteri Kanan in Malay) was an important job in the Prime Minister's Office in Singapore. This role was usually given to a former Prime Minister or a very experienced cabinet minister. They would take on this job after stepping down from their main role.

The idea behind the Senior Minister role was to let these experienced leaders keep helping the government. They could share their knowledge and advice. This way, Singapore could still benefit from their many years of working in politics.

The last people to hold the Senior Minister job were Goh Chok Tong and S Jayakumar. Goh Chok Tong was Singapore's second Prime Minister. S. Jayakumar was a former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore.

History of the Senior Minister Role

The job of Senior Minister has changed names a few times. Before 12 August 2004, it was called 内阁资政 (Neige Zizheng).

The first person to be a Senior Minister was S. Rajaratnam. He was a former Deputy Prime Minister. He held the job from 1985 to 1988.

Then, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first Prime Minister, became Senior Minister. He held this role from November 28, 1990, until August 12, 2004.

After Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Chok Tong became the Senior Minister on August 12, 2004. At the same time, a new job was created called Minister Mentor. This new role was given to Lee Kuan Yew.

On March 26, 2009, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that S Jayakumar would also become a Senior Minister. He had been a Deputy Prime Minister before this.

After the 2011 Elections

In the general elections in 2011, S. Jayakumar decided not to run for election. He retired from politics.

After these elections, the Senior Minister position was renamed. It is now called the Emeritus Senior Minister. Goh Chok Tong continues to hold this new title.

List of Senior Ministers of Singapore

Related Pages

• Prime Minister of Singapore