First-term MPs Shawn Loh, Foo Cexiang to be appointed ministers of state
Two first-term People's Action Party (PAP) backbenchers — Shawn Loh (Jalan Besar GRC) and Foo Cexiang (Tanjong Pagar GRC) — will be promoted to the frontbench. Their upcoming appointments, effective Sept 1 this year and Jan 1, 2027, respectively, were announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday (July 22) at a press conference on the changes to the Cabinet and other appointments. Foo, 41, will be appointed Minister of State for Manpower and Trade and Industry, while Loh, 39, will be Minister of State at the Education and Health ministries.PM Wong noted that while the two had only entered politics at the last General Election, they have both made a good start as MPs.«I am bringing them into Government now, so that they can gain experience and develop further, while we continue to build the next generation of leaders,» he said, as he explained his approach towards leadership renewal.