Sam Tan (politician)

Sam Tan
陈振泉
Minister of State for Social and Family Development
In office
1 May 2018 – 26 July 2020
Minister Desmond Lee
Succeeded by Sun Xueling
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
In office
1 May 2017 – 26 July 2020
Minister Vivian Balakrishnan
Succeeded by Chee Hong Tat
Minister of State for Manpower
In office
1 October 2015 – 30 April 2018
Minister Lim Swee Say
Josephine Teo
Succeeded by Zaqy Mohamad
Deputy Party Whip of the People's Action Party
In office
28 September 2015 – 6 June 2019
Party Whip Chan Chun Sing
Succeeded by Sim Ann
Zaqy Mohamad
Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office
In office
1 May 2014 – 30 April 2018
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth
In office
1 May 2014 – 30 September 2015
Minister Lawrence Wong
Mayor of Central Singapore District
In office
27 May 2011 – 26 May 2014
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
Preceded by Zainudin Nordin
Succeeded by Denise Phua
Member of Parliament
for Radin Mas SMC
In office
7 May 2011 – 23 June 2020
Preceded by Chong Weng Chiew (PAP)
Succeeded by Melvin Yong (PAP)
Member of Parliament
for Tanjong Pagar GRC
(Radin Mas)
In office
27 April 2006 – 18 April 2011
Preceded by Chong Weng Chiew (PAP)
Succeeded by Constituency abolished
Personal details
Born 13 October 1958
Colony of Singapore
Political party People's Action Party
Alma mater National University of Singapore (BA)
In this Chinese name, the family name is Tan.

Sam Tan Chin Siong (Chinese: 陈振泉; pinyin: Chén Zhènquán, born 13 October 1958) is a Singaporean former politician. A member of the governing People's Action Party, he was the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Radin Mas division of Tanjong Pagar GRC between 2006 and 2011 and Radin Mas SMC between 2011 and 2020.

Tan had served as Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth between 2014 and 2015, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office between 2014 and 2018, Minister of State for Manpower between 2015 and 2018, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs between 2017 and 2020 and Minister of State for Social and Family Development between 2018 and 2020. He had also served as Mayor of Central Singapore District between 2011 and 2014.

Early life and education

Tan attended Tuan Mong High School and Hwa Chong Junior College before graduating from the National University of Singapore in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts with honours degree.

Tan started his career at the People's Association (PA), where he served as Deputy Executive Director between 1992 and 1997. He subsequently became Executive Director of the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) in 1997. From 2007 to 2009, he served as the chief executive officer of Business China.

Political career

Tan made his political debut in the 2006 general election contesting in Tanjong Pagar GRC and won by an uncontested walkover.

Tan was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Industry, and Parliamentary Secretary for Information, Communications and the Arts concurrently from July 2009 to October 2009. He was subsequently promoted to Senior Parliamentary Secretary in November 2009, and served until May 2011.

During the 2011 general election, Tan contested in the newly-created Radin Mas SMC. Tan faced a challenge from veteran Yip Yew Weng of the National Solidarity Party after two other political parties, Reform Party and Singapore Democratic Alliance withdrew in favour of the NSP. Tan won by a large margin, garnering 67.10% of the vote.

Tan was appointed Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports in May 2011. He was also appointed Mayor of Central Singapore District.

On 28 September 2015, it was announced that Tan will become Minister of State for Manpower from 1 October 2015.

On 29 June 2020, Tan announced that he will not contest in the 2020 general election.

Awards