“DEMOTION” TO SPEAKER
In 2017, Mr Tan was nominated by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to be the 10th Speaker of Parliament. Then-Speaker Halimah Yacob had resigned to contest the presidential election.
Political analysts expressed surprise at the move, given that he was tipped to be a core member of the PAP’s fourth-generation, or 4G, leadership.
One observer said that it was unusual for a Cabinet minister in his prime to be made Speaker, while many online called it a “demotion”.
Mr Lee wrote on Facebook at the time that it was a “very difficult decision” to nominate Mr Tan as Speaker, as it “meant losing an effective activist” at the Ministry of Social and Family Development.
After accepting the nomination, Mr Tan wrote on Facebook: “May God continue to grant me wisdom, courage and love in all that I do. However inadequate as I may be, I hope that I can fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith.”
He was re-nominated as Speaker in 2020.
Last year, he appeared on news podcast Plan B where he was asked why he was not in the running to be Singapore’s next Prime Minister.
At the time, three Cabinet ministers were tipped as potential candidates – Mr Chan Chun Sing, Mr Lawrence Wong and Mr Ong Ye Kung. Shortly after, Mr Wong was endorsed as leader of the 4G team, then promoted to Deputy Prime Minister.
Mr Tan told the podcast host that he was not in the Cabinet, given that he was Speaker. This effectively ruled him out of the prime ministerial race.