Boosting security amid shrinking labour pool a key issue: Shanmugam
Minister K Shanmugam. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — Ensuring the safety of the country in the face of a shrinking workforce is one of the key challenges Mr K Shanmugam will be tackling as he returns to the helm of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
While still too early to elaborate on his immediate plans, Mr Shanmugam, who is also Law Minister, said the fundamental issue of delivering security remains the same: To make sure Singaporeans feel safe with the law and order situation within the Republic, and from terrorism.
“Home Affairs deals with a broad range of issues. Law and order is one, immigration, customs, border checkpoints, (the Singapore Civil Defence Force), internal security, prison — a wide variety of issues. … So I’ve got to get into (the ministry), and get to grips with (the issues),” he told reporters at Chong Pang Community Club today (Sept 29) before his Meet-The-People session.
Mr Shanmugam previously spent three years at the MHA as its Second Minister from 2008, and as its Minister for eight months after succeeding former Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng in 2010.
The new Cabinet line-up was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday and the ministers will be sworn in on Thursday.
Mr Shanmugam said he has arranged to meet Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, who will take over as Foreign Affairs Minister. He will also meet Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, whom he succeeds as Home Affairs Minister.
His time at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been “challenging”, but he has enjoyed the work to advance Singapore’s interest in a changing geopolitical environment. “Given our size, the external environment impacts on us disproportionately, on our economy, on our security, even on our politics. And you know the regional situation, you know the international situation, whether it’s terrorism or other issues, and it’s been an area where we’ve had to work pretty hard,” he said.
“I’ve had the privilege to work with some of the best officers in the service in MFA ... And I’m sure Dr Balakrishnan will take up the challenge.”
