Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim to be appointed Minister of State on Jan 1, a month earlier than expected

SINGAPORE – Second-term MP Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim will join the front bench as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Social and Family Development on Jan 1, 2026, a month earlier than expected.

The planned date of Feb 1, 2026, was brought forward as he has discharged his professional obligations earlier than initially scheduled, said the Prime Minister’s Office in a statement on Dec 5.

Mr Zhulkarnain is a senior partner in law firm Dentons Rodyk.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, Mr Zhulkarnain said he had concluded his trials and arbitration matters and has also handed over his business interests in his legal firm and other professional obligations earlier than expected. His last day is Dec 31.

He added that he has also been attending onboarding and briefing sessions by the ministries in preparation for his appointments.

“As such, I am looking forward to joining the team and contribute ahead of the Budget and COS (Committee of Supply debates) 2026,” he said.

The debate on the overall Budget and subsequent debates on each ministry’s planned expenditure typically stretch from February to March.

Mr Zhulkarnain, 45, was elected MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC in 2020. He was re-elected in the 2025 General Election.

In Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s

Cabinet reshuffle

on May 21, Mr Zhulkarnain was one of two backbenchers, alongside Mr Desmond Choo, who were promoted to government. Mr Choo is Minister of State for Defence.

Mr Zhulkarnain later said in an August interview with ST that he had received a call from PM Wong who convinced him to join the Government, adding that it was his chance to “make a deep impact” on the Malay/Muslim community.

Mr Zhulkarnain said it was a difficult decision to say yes

, given that the youngest of his four children was three years old.

Taking up the role also meant giving up his legal practice – “the second love of my life after my wife”, he said.

In a Facebook post on Nov 24, Mr Zhulkarnain shared some pictures taken after his last High Court trial and cross-examination.

He said he had experienced “two decades of advocacy, countless stories and one unforgettable journey” and that it was “hard not to feel emotional”.

Singapore’s code of conduct for ministers states that a minister who is a partner in any business must, on taking office, cease playing any part in the day-to-day management of the firm’s affairs and can no longer practise for remuneration.