SINGAPORE - Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said on Thursday the latest Cabinet reshuffle will add "depth and breadth" to "those who will lead Singapore forward".

"Stretching the younger ministers will strengthen their resilience," Mr Goh wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday.

He also congratulated Mr Masagos Zulkifli on his promotion to a full minister, calling him "humble, sincere and dedicated". Mr Masagos will be a "good addition to the Cabinet team", he said.

A Cabinet reshuffle announced on Wednesday has resulted in a new labour chief, a new minister and three other ministers being given new appointments.

Mr Masagos, 51, will become Minister in the Prime Minister's Office as well as Second Minister for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs. This is the first time Cabinet has two Malay ministers. The other is Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim.

Mr Chan Chun Sing, 45, will become labour chief on May 4, taking over from Mr Lim Swee Say, 60. Mr Chan will relinquish his role as Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Defence. In addition, he will be appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Office from Thursday.

Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, 46, will take over Mr Chan's Social and Family Development portfolio from Thursday.

Mr Lim will take over from Mr Tan as Manpower Minister on May 4.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew, 53, will assume a concurrent appointment as Second Minister for Defence effective Thursday.