Tan Chuan-Jin

Tan attended Anglo-Chinese School and Raffles Junior College before graduating from the London School of Economics with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics under the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship.

He also completed a Master of Arts degree in defence studies at King's College London,{{cite news | access-date=11 October 2013 | url=http://www.cabinet.gov.sg/content/cabinet/appointments/mr_tan_chuan-jin.html | title=Mr TAN Chuan-Jin | archive-date=29 September 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929162549/http://www.cabinet.gov.sg/content/cabinet/appointments/mr_tan_chuan-jin.html | url-status=live}} and a Master of Public Administration degree at the National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in 2008.

Tan enlisted in the Singapore Armed Forces in 1987 and was commissioned as an officer in the Singapore Army before attaining the rank Brigadier-General. During his time in the military, he held various command and staff positions, including Commanding Officer of the 3 Guards Battalion, Army Attaché at the Singapore embassy in Jakarta, Commander of the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, Assistant Chief of the General Staff (Plans), Commander of the 3rd Division, and Commander of the Army Training and Doctrine Command.{{cite web | url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/oms/dam/publications/eBooks/More_eBooks/ReachingOutOFE.pdf | title=Reaching Out Operation Flying Eagle | access-date=28 October 2020 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/content/imindef/publications/cyberpioneer/news/2008/January/21jan08_news.html |title=cyberpioneer - News - 3 Div gets new commander (21 Jan 08) |publisher=Mindef.gov.sg |access-date=11 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915070630/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/content/imindef/publications/cyberpioneer/news/2008/January/21jan08_news.html |archive-date=15 September 2017 |url-status=live }} In the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, Tan was the commander of the Singapore Armed Forces Humanitarian Assistance Task Force deployed to Meulaboh. He received the Public Administration Medal (Silver) (Military) for services rendered in the Tsunami Relief Operation in 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2005/jan/08jan05_nr.html |title=News - Update on SAF Relief Operations (08 Jan 05) |publisher=MINDEF |access-date=11 September 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805074536/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2005/jan/08jan05_nr.html |archive-date=5 August 2012 |url-status=live }}{{cite web | archive-date=12 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312141542/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/army_news/Feature/2011_features/Reflections.html | url-status=live | url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/army_news/Feature/2011_features/Reflections.html | title=Parting Shot: Reflections from BG Tan Chuan-Jin | publisher=Mindef.gov.sg | access-date=11 September 2012}} He was also the chairman of the executive committee of the 2009 Singapore National Day Parade.{{Cite web |title=Chairman of National Day Parade executive committee … |url=https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details/5b784a54-90bc-11e8-8b7d-001a4a5ba61b |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=www.nas.gov.sg}}

On 25 March 2011, Tan retired from the Singapore Armed Forces to enter politics.{{Cite news |last=Woon |first=Wallace |date=2023-07-17 |title=5 things about Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin who resigned over affair with MP Cheng Li Hui |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/5-things-about-speaker-tan-chuan-jin-who-resigned-over-affair-with-mp-cheng-li-hui |access-date=2025-06-19 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}

Tan was announced as a People's Action Party (PAP) candidate joining the five-member PAP team contesting in Marine Parade GRC during the 2011 general election. After the PAP team won with 56.65% of the vote against the National Solidarity Party, Tan became a Member of Parliament representing the Kembangan–Chai Chee ward of Marine Parade GRC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.gov.sg/mps/list-of-current-mps/mp/details/tan-chuan-jin|title=MP | Parliament Of Singapore|website=www.parliament.gov.sg}}

On 1 August 2012, he was appointed Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of National Development and Acting Minister for Manpower. During his tenure at the Ministry of National Development, Tan worked with heritage, nature, environmental and animal welfare groups on issues related to the Rail Corridor and Bukit Brown Cemetery. He also worked on issues which led to Sisters' Islands being designated as Singapore's first marine park, as well as amendments being made to the Animal and Birds Act.{{Cite web|url=https://mothership.sg/2018/01/tan-chuan-jin-interview-openings-passionate/|title=Tan Chuan-Jin still doesn't know why he was appointed Speaker of Parliament|website=Mothership.sg|language=en-US|access-date=31 January 2020|archive-date=31 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131152043/https://mothership.sg/2018/01/tan-chuan-jin-interview-openings-passionate/|url-status=live}}

On 1 September 2013, Tan relinquished his appointment at the Ministry of National Development and became Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Manpower while continuing to serve as Acting Minister for Manpower. On 1 May 2014, he was promoted to full Minister.{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/changes-in-cabinet-other/1089278.html|title=Tan and Wong promoted to full Minister|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=29 April 2014|access-date=2 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501234110/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/changes-in-cabinet-other/1089278.html|archive-date=1 May 2014}} On 9 April 2015, Tan relinquished his portfolio as Minister for Manpower and became Minister for Social and Family Development as part of a Cabinet reshuffle.{{cite web|url=http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/tan-chuan-jin-helm-msf-lim-swee-say-be-manpower-minister|title=Cabinet reshuffle: Tan Chuan-Jin to helm MSF; Lim Swee Say to be Manpower Minister|access-date=10 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429181220/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/tan-chuan-jin-helm-msf-lim-swee-say-be-manpower-minister|archive-date=29 April 2015|url-status=live}}

During the 2015 general election, Tan with his PAP teammates defended their seats in Marine Parade GRC which they won with 64.07% of the vote against the Workers' Party.{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Min Kok |date=2015-09-12 |title=GE2015: PAP wins Marine Parade GRC with 64.1 per cent of votes |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ge2015-pap-wins-marine-parade-grc-with-641-per-cent-of-votes |access-date=2025-06-19 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}} After the election, Tan continued serving as Minister for Social and Family Development.

Tan retained his parliamentary seat after his five-member PAP team contesting in Marine Parade GRC during the 2020 general election won again with 57.74% of the vote against the Workers' Party (WP).

On 11 September 2017, he resigned his Cabinet portfolio and became the 10th Speaker of Parliament after the post was vacated by Halimah Yacob when she resigned to contest in the 2017 Singaporean presidential election.{{Cite news|last=Chuan|first=Toh Yong|date=2017-09-05|title=Tan Chuan-Jin to become new Speaker of Parliament, Desmond Lee to helm Ministry of Social and Family Development|language=en|work=The Straits Times|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tan-chuan-jin-to-become-new-speaker-of-parliament-desmond-lee-to-helm-msf|access-date=2021-10-27|issn=0585-3923}}{{cite news|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/tan-chuan-jin-becomes-singapore-s-10th-speaker-of-parliament-9204766|title=Tan Chuan-Jin becomes Singapore's 10th Speaker of Parliament|access-date=11 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911064207/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/tan-chuan-jin-becomes-singapore-s-10th-speaker-of-parliament-9204766|archive-date=11 September 2017|url-status=live}}

On 11 July 2023, Tan made a public apology to WP MP Jamus Lim after a clip of him using unparliamentary language during a 17 April parliamentary sitting was shared on Reddit. As Speaker of Parliament, Tan was heard saying "fucking populist" under his breath at the end of a 20-minute speech by Lim urging the PAP government to further help lower-income groups and to establish an official poverty line, when the microphone picked up Tan's comment. Tan apologised to Lim who accepted his apology.{{cite web |title=Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin apologises for using 'unparliamentary language' |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/speaker-parliament-tan-chuan-jin-apologises-unparliamentary-language-jamus-lim-3619931 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711014802/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/speaker-parliament-tan-chuan-jin-apologises-unparliamentary-language-jamus-lim-3619931 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=CNA |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Amanda |date=11 July 2023 |title=Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin apologises to Jamus Lim for 'unparliamentary language' caught on hot mic |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/speaker-tan-chuan-jin-apologises-to-wp-mp-jamus-lim-for-unparliamentary-language-caught-on-hot-mic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711014828/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/speaker-tan-chuan-jin-apologises-to-wp-mp-jamus-lim-for-unparliamentary-language-caught-on-hot-mic |archive-date=11 July 2023 |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=The Straits Times |language=en}}

On 17 July 2023, both Tan and Cheng Li Hui simultaneously resigned from Parliament and as members of the PAP due to "propriety and personal conduct".{{cite web |title=Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, MP Cheng Li Hui resign over 'propriety and personal conduct' |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tan-chuan-jin-mp-cheng-li-hui-resign-parliament-speaker-pap-pmo-3633646 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717050859/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tan-chuan-jin-mp-cheng-li-hui-resign-parliament-speaker-pap-pmo-3633646 |archive-date=17 July 2023 |access-date=17 July 2023 |website=CNA |language=en}} Prime Minister and PAP's Secretary-General Lee Hsien Loong confirmed that Tan, who is married, and Cheng were having an extramarital affair, since at least 2020.{{Cite news |last=Goh |first=Yan Han |date=2023-07-17 |title=Inappropriate relationship between Tan Chuan-Jin and Cheng Li Hui continued despite counselling: PM Lee |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/inappropriate-relationship-between-tan-chuan-jin-and-cheng-li-hui-continued-despite-counselling-pm-lee |access-date=2023-07-17 |issn=0585-3923}} Though Lee found out that the extramarital affair continued through to February 2023, and Tan had offered his resignation then, Lee asked for Tan to first sort out the succession arrangements in his ward.{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Hsien Loong |title=PM Lee Hsien Loong at the Q&A Segment at the Press Conference on the Resignations of Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and MP Cheng Li Hui |url=https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/Transcript-of-the-QA-segment-at-Press-Conference-on-resignation-of-Speaker-Tan-and-MP-Cheng-Li-Hui |website=Prime Minister's Office Singapore |access-date=2 August 2023 |language=en |date=19 July 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Martens |first1=Hannah |title=Tan Chuan-Jin & Cheng Li Hui told to end 'inappropriate relationship' in Feb. 2023 but didn't |url=https://mothership.sg/2023/07/tan-chuan-jin-cheng-li-hui-inappropriate-relationship/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |work=mothership.sg |date=17 July 2023 |language=en}}

In a statement, Lee responded to their resignation letters that their resignations were "necessary" for "maintain[ing] the high standards of propriety and personal conduct which the PAP has upheld all these years."{{cite web |date=17 July 2023 |title=PMO {{!}} Statement by PM Lee Hsien Loong on Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin's resignation |url=https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/Statement-by-PM-Lee-Hsien-Loong-on-Speaker-Tan-Chuan-Jin-resignation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717055752/https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/Statement-by-PM-Lee-Hsien-Loong-on-Speaker-Tan-Chuan-Jin-resignation |archive-date=17 July 2023 |access-date=17 July 2023 |website=Prime Minister's Office Singapore |language=en}}{{cite web |date=17 July 2023 |title=PMO {{!}} Statement by PM Lee Hsien Loong on MP Cheng Li Hui's resignation |url=https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/Statement-by-PM-Lee-Hsien-Loong-on-MP-Cheng-Li-Hui-resignation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717055836/https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/Statement-by-PM-Lee-Hsien-Loong-on-MP-Cheng-Li-Hui-resignation |archive-date=17 July 2023 |access-date=17 July 2023 |website=Prime Minister's Office Singapore |language=en}} Their respective parliamentary seats at Marine Parade GRC and Tampines GRC were subsequently left vacant, and the workload for Tan's Kembangan–Chai Chee division of Marine Parade GRC and Cheng's Tampines East division of Tampines GRC were distributed among the other MPs in their respective GRCs. Tan also resigned his position as Speaker of the Parliament.

In January 2014, Tan began serving as the president of the Singapore National Olympic Council.{{cite web |title=SNOC New Executive Committee Elected |url=http://www.singaporeolympics.com/2014/07/01/snoc-new-executive-committee-elected/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518074305/http://www.singaporeolympics.com/2014/07/01/snoc-new-executive-committee-elected/ |archive-date=18 May 2015}} He resigned in 2023 following his announcement of his extramarital affair.{{Cite web |title=Tan Chuan-Jin resigns as president of Singapore National Olympic Council after affair |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tan-chuan-jin-resign-snoc-president-olympic-council-3636171 |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=CNA |language=en}}

In 2024, Tan would be announced as an instructor for a "masterclass in leadership" held at the SMF Centre for Corporate Learning in a Facebook post, which was quickly taken down due to significant backlash; the course itself would proceed as scheduled.{{cite news |last1=Ang |first1=Matthias |title=Leadership masterclass taught by Tan Chuan-Jin is real, costs S$1,090 per pax |url=https://mothership.sg/2024/05/tan-chuan-jin-leadership-class/ |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=mothership.sg |date=14 May 2024 |language=en}} He has also been a consultant at the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation since October 2023.

Tan is married with two children. He is a practising Christian.{{cite web|url=https://thirst.sg/can-a-politician-be-religious-tan-chuan-jin-on-living-out-his-faith-in-the-public-eye/|first=Gabriel|last=Ong|title=Can a politician be religious? Tan Chuan-Jin on living out his faith in the public eye|date=26 June 2020|access-date=12 July 2023|publisher=Thirst |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813011518/https://thirst.sg/can-a-politician-be-religious-tan-chuan-jin-on-living-out-his-faith-in-the-public-eye/ |archive-date=13 August 2022 |language=en}}{{cite web|date=29 June 2020|access-date=12 July 2023|publisher=Salt&Light|url=https://saltandlight.sg/news/stay-anchored-on-your-purpose-mr-tan-chuan-jin-shares-how-faith-and-politics-converge-in-public-and-private/|title="Stay anchored on your purpose": Mr Tan Chuan-Jin shares how faith and politics converge in public and private|first=Huey Ying|last=Tan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205173442/https://saltandlight.sg/news/stay-anchored-on-your-purpose-mr-tan-chuan-jin-shares-how-faith-and-politics-converge-in-public-and-private/ |archive-date=5 December 2020 |language=en}}

It was revealed by Lee Hsien Loong that Tan and Cheng had an extramarital affair since at least November 2020. {{cite web |last1=Min |first1=Ang Hwee |title=Tan Chuan-Jin, Cheng Li Hui continued 'inappropriate relationship' even after being told to stop: PM Lee |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tan-chuan-jin-cheng-li-hui-inappropriate-relationship-3633821 |website=CNA |access-date=17 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717071519/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tan-chuan-jin-cheng-li-hui-inappropriate-relationship-3633821 |archive-date=17 July 2023 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Goh |first=Yan Han |date=2023-08-02 |title='I should have forced the issue sooner': PM Lee explains approach to Tan Chuan-Jin, Cheng Li Hui affair |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/i-should-have-forced-the-issue-sooner-pm-lee-explains-approach-to-tan-chuan-jin-cheng-li-hui-affair |access-date=2023-08-04 |issn=0585-3923}}

{{reflist}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef

| before = Tharman Shanmugaratnam

}}

{{s-ttl

| title = Minister for Manpower

| years = 2012 – 2015

}}

{{s-aft

| after = Lim Swee Say

}}

{{s-bef

| before = Chan Chun Sing

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{{s-ttl

| title = Minister for Social and Family Development

| years = 2015 – 2017

}}

{{s-aft

| after = Desmond Lee

}}

{{s-par | sg}}

{{s-bef

| before = Ong Seh Hong

| as = MP (Kampong Ubi-Kembangan)

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{{s-ttl

| title = Member of Parliament for
Marine Parade GRC (Kembangan-Chai Chee)

| years = 2011 – 2023

}}

{{s-aft

| after =

}}

{{s-bef

| before = Halimah Yacob

}}

{{s-ttl

| title = Speaker of Parliament

| years = 2017 – 2023

}}

{{s-aft

| after = Seah Kian Peng

}}

{{s-end}}

• [https://www.parliament.gov.sg/mps/list-of-current-mps/mp/details/tan-chuan-jin Tan Chuan-Jin] on Parliament of Singapore
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Category:Members of the Cabinet of Singapore

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Category:Living people

Category:Ministers for manpower of Singapore

Category:Singaporean military leaders