Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is confident that Tan Chuan-Jin will turn out to be an outstanding Speaker of Parliament for the republic.

The Singapore House elected Tan as the 10th Speaker when it convened today.

"I am confident Chuan-Jin will be an outstanding Speaker, and more. I wish him all the best!" Lee said in his latest Facebook posting.


Lee also quoted Chuan-Jin's first speech as Speaker of Parliament which the latter explained how "Parliament needs to be the institution that reflects the voice of the people, and why members of parliament (MPs) need to debate issues in a way that provides hope and clarity."

"He encouraged free flowing, vigorous debate, but reminded MPs to maintain mutual respect. He also pledged to be impartial, fair and firm," wrote the prime minister.

Lee nominated Tan, 48, to be Speaker of Parliament as the post was left vacant by Halimah Yacob, who resigned on Aug 7 to contest the Presidential Election.

Tan, who has served in the Singapore Cabinet since May 2014, had his last day as Minister of Social and Family Development on Sept 10.

-- BERNAMA