SINGAPORE - Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat resumed his duties on Monday (Aug 22), more than three months after he suffered a stroke during a Cabinet meeting, said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

In a statement on Monday on Cabinet changes and other appointments, PMO added that Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong is taking on the position of Second Minister for Finance.

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who has been acting as the Covering Minister for Finance, will relinquish that appointment.

These changes were first announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 21).

Mr Lee said Mr Heng, 54, will focus on next year's Budget and the Committee on the Future Economy, which he co-chairs with Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S. Iswaran.

Mr Heng, a key member of the fourth-generation leadership, had collapsed during a Cabinet meeting on May 12 from a stroke caused by an aneurysm, a localised weakening of the blood vessels.

He was rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he underwent surgery to seal off the aneurysm and was later placed in intensive care. He was discharged from hospital six weeks later.

The PMO statement also added that Ms Sim Ann will be appointed Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, on top of her current appointment as Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

She will, however, relinquish her appointment as Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance.