Lim Swee Say


Lim Swee Say, is a Singaporean politician. A member of the governing People's Action Party, he stepped down as Minister for Manpower in 2018. He previously served as the Minister for the Environment from 2001 to 2004, a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office from 2004 to 2015, and as the Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress from 2005 to 2015. He was a Member of Parliament from 1996 to 2020.

Early career

Lim served at Singapore's National Computer Board as Chief Executive from 1986 to 1991, and as Chairman from 1994 to 1998. He also served at the Economic Development Board as Deputy Managing Director based in New York City from 1991 to 1993, and as Managing Director from 1994 to 1996.

Political career

Early political career

At the 1997 general election, Lim was a PAP candidate in the Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency, which was led by the late Lee Kuan Yew and was elected in a walkover. He was on the PAP's team in Holland–Bukit Panjang GRC at the 2001 general election, and in Holland–Bukit Timah GRC at the 2006 general election, and was elected unopposed on both occasions. At the 2011 general election, Lim stood in East Coast GRC, where the PAP's team defeated the team from the opposition Workers' Party by 59,992 votes to 49,429.
Lim served as Deputy Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress from 1997 to 1999. He also served on the Committee on Singapore's Competitiveness from 1997 to 1998, and chaired its Sub-committee on Manpower Development.
In 1999, Lim was appointed a Minister of State at the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts.
Lim was made the Acting Minister for the Environment in 2000. He became a full member of the Cabinet in 2001.

Minister in Prime Minister's Office (2004 - 2015)

In 2004, Lim was appointed a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. He also served as the Second Minister for National Development from 2004 to 2005.
In 2005, Lim became the Deputy Secretary-General of the NTUC for the second time. In 2007, he was made the Secretary-General of the NTUC.
In 2014, Lim appeared on Singapore's Mediacorp Channel 8 episode , to respond to the criticisms against him and clarify himself on a few topics such as his Zorro costume, , "Better, Betterer, Betterest", and why Singapore implements Progressive Wage Model instead of minimum wage.

Minister for Manpower (2015 - 2018)

In 2015, Lim relinquished his post of Minister in Prime Minister's Office and NTUC secretary-general and was appointed the Minister for Manpower.
Lim has been a member of the PAP's Central Executive Committee since 1999, and served as the Chairman of the Young PAP from 2000 to 2004.
Lim retired from the cabinet on 1 May 2018, with his Manpower portfolio succeeded to Josephine Teo. On 5 May, Lim was awarded the Distinguished Comrade of Labour during the May Day Awards ceremony, which was presented by former NTUC secretary-general Chan Chun Sing.

Retirement from politics

In 2020, Lim would be retiring from politics, and not stand for the 2020 Singaporean general election.

Education

Lim was educated in Catholic High School and National Junior College, before being awarded a Singapore Armed Forces Scholarship in 1973 to study in the United Kingdom at Loughborough University.
In 1976, he graduated with first class honours in electronics, computer and systems engineering.
In 1991, Lim completed a master's degree in Management at Stanford University.

Personal life

Lim is married to Elaine Cheong Siew Boon. The couple has one daughter and one son. He is a Roman Catholic.