The Coordinating Minister for National Security is an appointment in the Cabinet of Singapore, initially introduced as Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence in 2003 to cover both the security and defence of Singapore. However, the security and defence portfolios were dropped when the role was redesignated in 2005.
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History
In April 2003, during the change of cabinet of the Fourth Goh Chok Tong Cabinet, the position of the Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence was first introduced. The appointment is to be part of the Prime Minister's Office. The Minister of Defence Tony Tan was appointed as the first Coordinating Minister while Teo Chee Hean took over as Minister of Defence.
In 2005, Tan retired from politics and S. Jayakumar was appointed to take over the role.
On 1 November 2010, Wong Kan Seng was appointed Coordinating Minister for National Security and relinquished his Minister for Home Affairs portfolio. Wong retired from the Cabinet following the 2011 general election.
On 18 May 2011, Teo Chee Hean relinquished his Cabinet portfolio of Minister for Defence and took up the positions of Minister for Home Affairs and Coordinating Minister for National Security, while concurrently serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister-in-charge of the Civil Service.
List of officeholders
The Coordinating Minister for National Security is appointed as part of the Cabinet of Singapore.