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SINGAPORE'S new Law Minister and Second Minister for Home Affairs was officially sworn in on Friday in a ceremony held at the Istana and presided over by President SR Nathan.
Mr K. Shanmugam takes over from former Law Minister and Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar, who had helmed the Law Ministry for the past 18 years.
As part of the Cabinet, Mr Shanmugam will be one of only three ministers who have spent their careers in the private sector.
Known to many as a legal titan, the former Senior Partner at Allen & Gledhill had headlined many high profile cases. His most recent one, representing Hotel Properties Ltd, whose $500 million en bloc purchase of Horizon Towers is subject to an appeal by minority owners.
The 49-year-old is also making history as the first backbencher in 23 years to move directly from being a Member of Parliament to become a full minister.
Speaking to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony, the recently-married Shanmugam said he'd need to settle into his new role first before deciding on his immediate priorities. He also expressed confidence in taking on his new job.
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