Cabinet swearing-in: Newly appointed office-holders and guests share photos on social media

(From left) Ms Sim Ann, Mrs Josephine Teo, Ms Indranee Rajah, PM Lee Hsien Loong, President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu and Dr Amy Khor at the swearing-in ceremony on Oct 1, 2015. PHOTO: GRACE FU/FACEBOOK

SINGAPORE - The Istana was a hive of activity on Thursday (Oct 2) evening as 700 guests turned up to witness 31 newly-elected MPs being sworn in as ministers and junior office-holders.

Several of them posted photos of themselves with families and colleagues on social media, with some sharing their thoughts on the road ahead.

Newly minted Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu managed to round up the other female ministers - Ms Sim Ann, Mrs Josephine Teo, Ms Indranee Rajah and Dr Amy Khor - for a quick snap with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon.

She also snagged a photo with Parliamentary Secretary Baey Yam Keng and his wife Lim Hai Yen, mischeviously suggesting that Mr Baey had two "Hai Yens" in his life as she shared the same Chinese name with Mrs Baey.

Ms Fu also shared a picture taken by Tampines MP Cheng Li Hui of the female Members of Parliament.

Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin uploaded a spiffy picture of the 20 Cabinet ministers and compared the occasion to his maiden swearing-in ceremony back in 2011.

"This time round, the uncertainty is much less while the weight of responsibility hasn't changed," Mr Tan wrote. "I do feel though that the sense of purpose and conviction is clearer. Our nation may be 50 but the building process goes on and we must work at it and can't leave things to chance."

Meanwhile, Senior Minister of State Josephine Teo shared a photo of her with husband Tan Eng Cheong, among others.

Mrs Teo has been handed three portfolios - in the Prime Minister's Office, Transport and Foreign Affairs - and said she was looking forward to her new challenges.

Ang Mo Kio MP Darryl David scored selfies with Acting Ministers for Education Ong Ye Kung and Ng Chee Meng.

As a deputy director at Temasek Polytechnic, Mr David said he was eager to see what plans Mr Ong and Mr Ng would have for the education industry in Singapore.

And Tanjong Pagar MP Melvin Yong paid a fond tribute to former Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew, who was Mr Yong's mentor in Moulmein ward.

Workers' Party NCMP Dennis Tan shared a photo taken of him and other WP MPs at the swearing-in ceremony. He said: "This is the first of the events after GE 2015 for Leon Perera and myself as the new NCMPs."

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