{"id":70799,"date":"2026-07-22T21:24:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T13:24:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=70799"},"modified":"2026-07-22T21:24:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T13:24:46","slug":"cabinet-reshuffle-foo-cexiang-shawn-loh-to-be-appointed-ministers-of-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=70799","title":{"rendered":"Cabinet reshuffle: Foo Cexiang, Shawn Loh to be appointed ministers of state"},"content":{"rendered":"


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SINGAPORE \u2013 First-year backbenchers Foo Cexiang and Shawn Loh will take political office following a Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on July 22<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Foo, who is a first-term MP in Tanjong Pagar GRC, will be Minister of State for Manpower and Trade and Industry from September 2026. He joins existing Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash in the ministry.<\/p>\n

Loh, who is also a first-term MP in Jalan Besar GRC, will be Minister of State at the Education and Health Ministries from January 2027.<\/p>\n

Both had entered politics at the 2025 General Election.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have made a good start as MPs,\u201d noted PM Wong, as he announced a slew of changes to the Cabinet during a press conference at the National Press Centre.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am bringing them into Government now, so they can gain experience and develop further, while we continue to build the next generation of leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foo, a civil servant for over a decade, was a former director at the Transport Ministry, where he oversaw private and future mobility. Loh was also a senior civil servant, who was most recently director of security and resilience programmes at the Finance Ministry.<\/p>\n

Their appointments mean that all six senior civil servants fielded by the People\u2019s Action Party in the last election<\/span><\/a> now hold political office. The other four are Jeffrey Siow, Dinesh Vasu Dash, Jasmin Lau and Goh Han Yan.<\/p>\n

In his 14 months as MP, Foo has worked with residents on projects such as a recycling trial in Tiong Bahru<\/span><\/a> and a participatory budgeting project in Spottiswoode Park estate, which allows them more say in how funds are allocated for neighbourhood improvements.<\/p>\n

In a Facebook post, Foo said he was excited to return to Government with the experience he amassed at port operator PSA Singapore, where he has been vice-president for port ecosystem development since April 2025.<\/p>\n

He added he returns with a \u201csingular mission\u201d of contributing towards creating more good jobs and careers for all Singaporeans.<\/p>\n

Loh, who was Budget director in 2024 and 2025, has been vocal in Parliament on issues such as wealth tax, social inequality and the rising cost of living.<\/p>\n

During the Budget debate in February<\/span><\/a>, he proposed ideas such as calling for the Government to share any fiscal surpluses exceeding 2 per cent of gross domestic product with Singaporeans.<\/p>\n

In a Facebook post, Loh said he asked PM Wong for a later start in his new role to facilitate a leadership transition as he steps down from his role as group managing director of homegrown firm Commonwealth Capital Group.<\/p>\n

He spoke of how in the past year, he has met many super seniors – those aged above 80 – and those who have moved into new flats with their families.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cThey\u2019ve shared with me their joys, aspirations, and challenges. I will carry these close in my new portfolios.\u201d<\/p>\n

There were also promotions among the ranks of first-year political office holders.<\/p>\n

Jasmin Lau will be appointed Acting Minister for Manpower, and Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Digital Development and Information. She will relinquish her appointment in the Education Ministry.<\/p>\n