Desmond Lee Ti-Seng (Chinese: 李智陞; pinyin: Lǐ Zhìshēng), born on 15 July 1976, is a prominent Singaporean politician and lawyer currently serving as the Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration since 2020. As a member of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), he represents the Boon Lay division of West Coast GRC in Parliament.

Early Life and Education

Desmond Lee hails from a politically active family; his father, Lee Yock Suan, was a former Member of Parliament and Cabinet minister. Lee has Hokkien ancestry from his father’s side and Peranakan heritage from his mother’s side. He received his education at renowned institutions, including:

• Anglo-Chinese School (Junior)
• Raffles Institution
• Raffles Junior College

Lee graduated with first-class honors in Bachelor of Laws from the National University of Singapore in 2001. He later pursued a Bachelor of Civil Law degree at the University of Oxford, further solidifying his legal expertise.

ersonal Information of Desmond Lee Ti-Seng

Basic Details

• Full Name: Desmond Lee Ti-Seng (李智陞)
• Date of Birth: 15 July 1976
• Place of Birth: Singapore
• Political Party: People’s Action Party (PAP)

Family Background

• Father: Lee Yock Suan, a former Member of Parliament and Cabinet minister.
• Ancestry: Of Hokkien descent from his father’s side and Peranakan descent from his mother’s side.

Education

• Primary and Secondary Education: Anglo-Chinese School (Junior), Raffles Institution, and Raffles Junior College.
• Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with First Class Honours from the National University of Singapore (NUS), 2001.
• Postgraduate Degree: Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) from the University of Oxford.

Personal Life

• Marital Status: Married.
• Children: Three children.

Interests

• Hobbies: Desmond Lee is known to have an interest in community service, social issues, and public policy development, which aligns with his professional roles.

Legal Career

Desmond Lee embarked on his legal career following his graduation in 2001. Key milestones include:

• Justices’ Law Clerk at the Supreme Court
• Deputy Public Prosecutor in the Criminal Justice Division of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC)
• Deputy Director of the Legal Branch at the Ministry of Health (2005-2009)
• Deputy Director of the Legal Policy Division at the Ministry of Law until 2011
• Associate Director in the Legal and Regulations Department at Temasek Holdings from March 2011

Political Career

Lee’s political journey began with his debut in the 2011 general election, where he was part of a five-member PAP team contesting in Jurong GRC, winning with 66.96% of the vote. Notable positions throughout his political career include:

• Member of Parliament for Jurong Spring division of Jurong GRC (2011)
• Minister of State for National Development (2013)
• Senior Minister of State for National Development and Home Affairs (2015)
• Full Minister and Second Minister for Home Affairs and National Development (2017)
• Minister for Social and Family Development (2017-2020)
• Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration (2020-present)

In the 2020 general election, Lee was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Boon Lay division of West Coast GRC, securing 51.69% of the vote. He has actively contributed to parliamentary committees and councils, including co-chairing the Singapore-Tianjin Economic and Trade Council.

Awards and Achievements of Desmond Lee Ti-Seng

Desmond Lee Ti-Seng has made significant contributions throughout his career as a lawyer and politician. His achievements reflect his commitment to public service and his dedication to the development of Singapore. Here are some notable awards and achievements:

Awards

• Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat): Awarded for his contributions to public service and community engagement.
• Outstanding Service Award: Received for his exemplary service in various ministerial roles.

Achievements

• Parliamentary Contributions: As a Member of Parliament, Lee has played a crucial role in various committees, focusing on areas such as culture, community, youth, law, and social development.
• Ministerial Leadership: Successfully led the Ministry for National Development, overseeing key initiatives in urban planning, housing, and environmental sustainability.
• Social Services Integration: As Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, he has worked to enhance the coordination and delivery of social services across different government agencies.
• Policy Development: Instrumental in shaping policies that promote affordable housing, urban renewal, and community development.
• International Collaboration: Co-chairing the Singapore-Tianjin Economic and Trade Council, fostering economic ties and cooperation between Singapore and Tianjin, China.

Desmond Lee’s career reflects a consistent focus on improving the lives of Singaporeans and enhancing the country’s development through effective governance and leadership.