Desmond Tan (politician)
Desmond Tan Kok Ming (; born 1970) is a Singaporean politician and former brigadier-general who has been serving as the Minister of State for Home Affairs, and Sustainability and the Environment since 2020. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), he has been a Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Pasir Ris Central ward of Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC since 2020. Prior to entering politics, Tan had served 28 years in the Singapore Armed Forces and held the rank of Brigadier-General. He was also the chief executive director of the People's Association  between 2017 and 2020. He made his political debut in the 2020 general election when he joined a five-member PAP team contesting in Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC and they won with 64.15% of the vote. Background. Tan's father was a taxi driver while his mother was an odd-job worker. He grew up with his three siblings in a three-room flat in Bukit Ho Swee and attended Queenstown Secondary Technical School and Raffles Junior College. Later, he studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Manchester on a Singapore Armed Forces Merit Scholarship and graduated in 1994 with  a Bachelor of Engineering (honours). He also completed a master's degree in defence strategic studies at King's College London in 2000 and a Master of Business Administration at Nanyang Technological University. Pre-politics career. Tan started his career in the Singapore Armed Forces and spent 28 years in the military before rising to the rank of Brigadier-General. During his service, he held various appointments, including Chief of Staff (General Staff), Director of Joint Operations, Chief Guards Officer, and Director of Public Affairs. He was also the chairman of the executive committee of the Singapore National Day Parade  in 2012, and had participated in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan as the Singapore contingent commander. He received the SAF Overseas Medal (Enhanced) and NATO (ISAF) Medal. After retiring from the Singapore Armed Forces in 2017, Tan joined the People's Association as its Chief Executive Director before stepping down in June 2020 to run for election in the 2020 general election. Political career. Tan made his political debut in the 2020 general election when he joined a five-member People's Action Party (PAP) team contesting in Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC. The PAP team won with 64.15 % of the vote against the Singapore Democratic Alliance and Peoples Voice, and Tan thus became a Member of Parliament representing the Pasir Ris Central ward of Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC. On 27 July 2020, he was appointed Minister of State at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. Personal life. Tan is married with three children.