Health issues prompted Lee Yi Shyan to step down
Before entering politics, Mr Lee Yi Shyan served in various bodies in the public sector. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — A mini stroke he had earlier this year was one reason Mr Lee Yi Shyan decided to step down from his post of Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development.
“Many of my friends have asked me about my health and it is true ... I was hospitalised for a mini stroke in May this year,” Mr Lee, 53, told reporters on the sidelines of the Manufacturing Solutions Expo today (Sept 30), his last day as a Senior Minister of State.
“(After) that episode, many friends have advised (me) to look at life differently and to perhaps change gears … but still remain productive and useful but take on something that would best suit this stage of my life. So, I thought this was good advice.
“For me, I think, by the end of this five-year term, I would have spent 35 years in public service, right out of university. Of course, a good part of it is Civil Service and close to 10 years of political service. I stand quite proud to have given the best part of my working life to serving the nation,” said Mr Lee, who will be returning to the backbenches.
Before entering politics, he had served in various bodies in the public sector, such as the Ministry of Defence, Economic Development Board, Singapore Productivity and Standards Board (SPRING Singapore), and trade agency IE Singapore.
Mr Lee said he will continue to serve as a Member of Parliament (MP) for East Coast Group Representation Constituency, which he has represented since 2006.
“I want to thank all my supporters and volunteers, my residents and all that supported me in the last elections. As an MP in the next five years for the East Coast GRC, I will do my utmost to serve them as I have mentioned in various platforms ... we have many ongoing projects to be completed,” he said.
“We have new plans to be drawn up in consultation with residents in some areas like eldercare and childcare. We need to enhance the capacity to service this segment of our population in East Coast because, as you know, there are new families and an ageing population.”
He added: “I hope in the next five years we can continue to improve the hardware and the software in Kampong Chai Chee under our vision of building a caring and gracious community. In short, I am very happy to be given the opportunity to serve as an MP for the residents.”
Kampong Chai Chee is Mr Lee’s ward in East Coast GRC.
Mr Lee said stepping down from his post would also allow him to have more time to deal with constituency matters.
“I will have more flexibility in attending to my residents’ needs, but I also hope to find something to do in the daytime,” he added.
Mr Lee, who made his political debut as a People’s Action Party candidate in the 2006 General Election, had been described by former Cabinet minister Lim Boon Heng as someone with ministerial potential.
Following that year’s polls, Mr Lee was appointed as Minister of State for Trade and Industry.
He subsequently took on the additional roles of Minister of State at the Ministry of Manpower and at the Ministry of National Development at various points in his career.
In July 2012, Mr Lee was promoted to Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development.
