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The 15th Parliament of Singapore is opening on September 5, 2025, because of the general election that was held on May 3, 2025. (Did you vote?)
The previous Parliament, the 14th Parliament, was dissolved on April 15, 2025, on the advice of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. A general election must be held within three months of the dissolution of Parliament.
The election resulted in the election of 97 members to Parliament. The new members, along with two Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs), will be sworn in when the 15th Parliament officially begins its first session. During this first session, President Tharman will deliver an opening address to outline the government’s priorities for the new term.
The primary ministry responsible for Singapore’s housing affairs, land management, and the Housing & Development Board (HDB) is the Ministry of National Development (MND).
As of the May 2025 cabinet reshuffle, the ministerial positions involved with the HDB are namely Chee Hong Tat, Indranee Rajah, Sun Xueling, and Alvin Tan.
- Minister for National Development: Chee Hong Tat. He is responsible for the overall policies related to public housing, land-use planning, and infrastructure development in Singapore. The HDB is a statutory board under the MND
- Second Minister for National Development: Indranee Rajah. She holds a concurrent position and assists in the ministry’s responsibilities
- Senior Minister of State for National Development: Sun Xueling
- Minister of State for National Development: Alvin Tan
The Ministry works with several statutory boards to carry out its functions, including the HDB for public housing and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) for land-use planning. The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) also plays a key role as the custodian of state land.
The 4 HDB ministers will be seated near each other in the new 15th Parliament.
Mr Chee Hong Tat, chairman of the Chinese Community Liaison Group, speaking at the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations in Toa Payoh on Aug 20, 2025.
What is the Minister for National Development? (Chee Hong Tat)
The Minister for National Development is responsible for leading the Ministry of National Development (MND) in formulating and implementing policies related to land-use planning and infrastructure development. This involves several key areas:
- Public Housing: Planning, managing, and redeveloping land resources for public housing, working closely with the Housing & Development Board (HDB). The Minister also oversees policies on home ownership, public rental housing, and rejuvenating older estates.
- Urban and Land Planning: Working with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to manage land use for the economy and living environment. This includes strategies for land sales and development control.
- Infrastructure and Greenery: Overseeing the development and regulation of the built environment and construction industry, as well as the creation and management of green spaces and recreational infrastructure.
Mayor Ong Eng Guan receiving British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan on his arrival at City Hall on 12 February 1958.
Other past MNDs in Singapore include:
| Minister for National Development | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Ong Eng Guan | June 5, 1959 – June 20, 1960 |
| Toh Chin Chye | June 20, 1960 – August 25, 1960 |
| Tan Kia Gan | August 25, 1960 – October 18, 1963 |
| Lim Kim San | October 19, 1963 – August 8, 1965 |
| E. W. Barker | August 9, 1965 – June 1, 1975 |
| Lim Kim San | June 2, 1975 – January 31, 1979 |
| Teh Cheang Wan | February 1, 1979 – December 14, 1986 |
| S. Dhanabalan | January 1, 1987 – August 31, 1992 |
| Richard Hu | September 1, 1992 – January 1, 1994 |
| Lim Hng Kiang | January 2, 1994 – June 2, 1999 |
| Mah Bow Tan | June 2, 1999 – May 20, 2011 |
| Khaw Boon Wan | May 21, 2011 – September 30, 2015 |
| Lawrence Wong | October 1, 2015 – July 26, 2020 |
| Desmond Lee | July 27, 2020 – May 22, 2025 |
| Chee Hong Tat | May 23, 2025 - now |
Outlining her priorities for her second term as Leader of the House, Ms Indranee Rajah said it continues to be about upholding the quality of debate in the House.
What is the Second Minister for National Development? (Indranee Rajah)
A Second Minister is appointed to assist the Minister in overseeing the Ministry’s functions. The position is typically given to ministers who hold concurrent portfolios in other ministries, providing them with a broader scope of responsibilities.
In Singapore’s cabinet system, the duties of a Second Minister for National Development include:
- Supporting the Minister: Assisting the Minister for National Development in managing the portfolio.
- Specific Portfolios: Handling specific areas of responsibility assigned by the Minister.
- Cross-Ministry Work: Contributing to the overall government’s direction and participating in cross-ministry committees and initiatives.
As of the latest cabinet changes, Ms. Indranee Rajah holds the concurrent positions of Second Minister for National Development and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. Her specific duties in this role often involve parliamentary work, policy reviews, and leading strategic projects within the ministry.
Former Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling addressing aviation professionals at the 3rd Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety on July 15, 2025.
What is the Senior Minister of State for National Development? (Sun Xueling)
The role of a Senior Minister of State for National Development is to assist the Minister for National Development in managing the ministry’s portfolio.
The position is typically given to experienced Members of Parliament (MPs) who are tasked with overseeing specific areas within the ministry’s broad responsibilities. The duties may include:
- Assisting the Minister: A Senior Minister of State provides support to the Minister for National Development in formulating policies and overseeing various projects and statutory boards, such as the HDB, URA, and the National Parks Board.
- Parliamentary Duties: Representing the ministry in Parliament, responding to questions from other MPs, and helping to steer legislation related to national development and housing.
- Community Engagement: Acting as a key point of contact for the public, engaging with citizens on housing and town-planning issues, and gathering feedback to inform policy-making.
- Specific Portfolios: A Senior Minister of State is often assigned a specific portfolio within the ministry. For instance, the current Senior Minister of State for National Development, Ms. Sun Xueling, is tasked with overseeing community engagement and policy formulation in areas such as public housing and green spaces.
Former Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development Alvin Tan speaks during the Mice Awards Gala Dinner at Sands Expo & Convention Centre on July 24, 2025.
What is the Minister of State for National Development? (Alvin Tan)
The Minister of State for National Development is responsible for leading the Ministry of National Development (MND) in the formulation and implementation of policies related to Singapore’s land use and infrastructure development.
The key responsibilities of the Minister include:
- Public Housing: Overseeing policies on public housing, including home ownership schemes, public rental housing, and the revitalisation of older housing estates.
- Urban Planning: Working with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to manage Singapore’s physical development and land use for both economic and living spaces.
- Built Environment: Leading the efforts to develop and regulate the construction sector and the built environment.
- Parks and Greenery: Overseeing the development and maintenance of Singapore’s green spaces, parks, and recreational infrastructure.
- Land Management: Acting as a key figure in the use and allocation of state land.
The Minister works closely with several statutory boards under the MND, including the Housing & Development Board (HDB), the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), and the National Parks Board (NParks).
Singapore Ministers Full-time Job
A minister’s position in Singapore is a full-time role. Ministers are prohibited from holding any office of profit or actively engaging in any commercial enterprise. They are responsible for the daily administration of their ministries and are collectively responsible to Parliament for all government policies.
Monthly salaries of ministers in Singapore.
Singapore Ministers Salary
The salary of a Minister is publicly disclosed and is benchmarked to the private sector to attract suitable talent. The annual salary for an entry-level Minister (MR4 grade) is benchmarked at S$1.1 million. This amount includes fixed and variable components.
The salary components are:
- Fixed pay: 13 months of salary.
- Variable components: An Annual Variable Component (typically 1 month), an Individual Performance Bonus (up to 3 months), and a National Bonus (up to 3 months), which is linked to national socio-economic indicators.
Ministers also receive an allowance for their role as a Member of Parliament (MP), which is currently S$192,500 per year. However, they only receive one pay package for their ministerial role, even if they hold multiple portfolios.