'The appointment (of Mr Shanmugam) is overdue as I have been Minister for Law for some 20 years, and even longer if you count the earlier Second Minister and Minister of State roles. I am very glad indeed that the PM has appointed Mr Shanmugam as the new Law Minister. It is well known that he is one of Singapore's most outstanding lawyers. He will be a valuable asset, not just to the Ministry of Law, but to the PM's Cabinet as a whole.'

OUTGOING LAW MINISTER S.JAYAKUMAR, who remains as DPM and Coordinating Minister for National Security. He also chairs an inter-ministerial committee on climate change

Exciting opportunity

'Personally, I'm glad that I'm going to continue working in the Ministry of Education because there is some unfinished business, namely the fourth university and the liberal arts college. At the same time, I have the opportunity to do something new, something exciting. Mica is an area that's completely new to me. I look forward to going there, listening, learning, and then contributing.'

REAR-ADMIRAL (NS) LUI TUCK YEW, who will be Senior Minister of State in two ministries - Education, and Information, Communications and the Arts

Steep learning curve

'I am grateful to the many people who have guided and supported me in the last two years. It has indeed been a steep learning curve for someone like me who came from the private sector...

I am grateful to the Prime Minister for the opportunity to work in the Ministry of Education. As a mother of three school-going children, I can understand why education is an area close to many parents' hearts. What we do in the MOE has a direct and long-term impact on the next generation of Singaporeans and will shape the future of Singapore.'

MS GRACE FU, who will be Senior Minister of State in two ministries - Education, and National Development