SINGAPORE - Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung has been appointed deputy chairman of the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), and will lead the self-help group's community outreach and engagement efforts.

He will take up his new post on Tuesday (Oct 25),the CDAC said in a press statement on Tuesday evening.

Mr Ong, whose appointment was made by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the CDAC's patron, had been on the group's board since 2010.

He could not be reached for comment as he is on a work trip in Boston in the United States.

The CDAC also said it is reorganising its five core programmes.

It is merging its Family Workfare and Workers programmes, which help low-income families and workers respectively.

Mr Sam Tan, Minister of State for Manpower as well as in the Prime Minister's Office, will chair the new committee for family and workers.

Mr Ong, as leader of the Community Outreach and Engagement committee, will help "expand CDAC's outreach to the community", said the group.

He had previously chaired the programme for workers.

The group is also starting a Fulfilling Ageing Programme aimed at the elderly. It will be chaired by Mr Alex Yam, MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.

The CDAC's remaining two programmes for students and volunteers, will continue to be led by Parliamentary Secretary for Education Low Yen Ling and Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Baey Yam Keng respectively.

CDAC chairman, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, said the changes will "sharpen CDAC's focus on addressing the emerging needs of the community"

"We will also focus on engaging the community to support CDAC's programmes and promote the spirit of mutual support," he added.