SINGAPORE \u2013 Civil service head Leo Yip, 62, who led the public service\u2019s response during the Covid-19 pandemic, will retire from the Administrative Service after 43 years in the public sector.<\/p>\n
Mr Yip, who is also Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister\u2019s Office (PMO) and heads its strategy group, will be succeeded by Mr Chan Heng Kee.<\/p>\n
Mr Chan, 57, will take over Mr Yip\u2019s portfolios and relinquish his current posts as Permanent Secretary (Defence) and Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) in the PMO.<\/p>\n
The changes will take effect on April 1, the Public Service Division (PSD) said in a statement on March 9.<\/p>\n
Paying tribute to Mr Yip\u2019s decades of service, the PSD said he played a key role in strengthening the public service\u2019s ability to work in close alignment, and to build new capabilities.<\/p>\n
Mr Yip also strengthened how the public service planned and implemented policies and strategies for cross-cutting and emerging issues, and built stronger ties with foreign civil services.<\/p>\n
A Singapore Police Force overseas scholar who studied economics at Cambridge University, he started out in the force in 1982 as an investigation officer. He rose through the ranks to become commander of the Clementi Police Division and eventually director of operations.<\/p>\n
Over the years, he served as chief executive of the then Singapore Workforce Development Agency, permanent secretary for manpower, chairman of the Economic Development Board and permanent secretary for home affairs. Mr Yip was also principal private secretary to Mr Lee Kuan Yew when Mr Lee was senior minister.<\/p>\n
During the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2023, Mr Yip led the collective response of the public service, which included mobilising resources and implementing measures to navigate the crisis. These included leading the work to procure vaccines and ensuring that Singapore emerged stronger, said PSD.<\/p>\n
In recognition of his contributions, Mr Yip was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 2018.<\/p>\n
Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing, who is Minister-in-charge of the Public Service, thanked Mr Yip for his more than four decades of \u201cexemplary leadership and extensive contributions to the public service and Singapore\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs head of civil service and throughout his career, Leo has served with distinction and dedication across a wide range of sectors,\u201d said the minister. \u201cHe was instrumental in charting new direction, pushing boundaries, and strengthening capabilities in the public service.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Chan Heng Kee will continue his appointment as Permanent Secretary for National Security and Intelligence Coordination at the PMO.<\/p>\n
The PSD also announced a shuffle in other permanent secretary appointments, and the appointment of a new permanent secretary.<\/p>\n
Mr Joseph Leong will take over Mr Chan\u2019s role at the Ministry of Defence.<\/p>\n Mr Joseph Leong will take over Mr Chan Heng Kee\u2019s role at the Ministry of Defence.<\/p>\n PHOTO: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Mr Leong will leave his posts as Permanent Secretary for Digital Development and Information, as well as Permanent Secretary (Smart Nation) and Permanent Secretary (Cybersecurity) at the PMO. These roles will be filled by Mr Chng Kai Fong.<\/p>\n Mr Chng Kai Fong will be Permanent Secretary for Digital Development and Information, Permanent Secretary (Smart Nation) and Permanent Secretary (Cybersecurity) at the PMO.<\/p>\n PHOTO: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Mr Lai Chung Han will be appointed as Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) at the PMO, concurrent with his appointment as Permanent Secretary for Finance.<\/p>\n Mr Lai Chung Han will be appointed as Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) at the PMO, concurrent with his appointment as Permanent Secretary for Finance.<\/p>\n PHOTO: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Ms Ngiam Siew Ying will be appointed as Second Permanent Secretary for National Development, concurrent with her appointment as Second Permanent Secretary for Finance.<\/p>\n Ms Ngiam Siew Ying will be appointed as Second Permanent Secretary for National Development, concurrent with her appointment as Second Permanent Secretary for Finance.<\/p>\n PHOTO: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Mr Luke Goh Peng Ee, who is currently Permanent Secretary (Development) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), will be redesignated as Permanent Secretary (Policy) at MFA. He will continue concurrently as Permanent Secretary for Law.<\/p>\n Mr Luke Goh Peng Ee will be redesignated as Permanent Secretary (Policy) at MFA and continue concurrently as Permanent Secretary for Law.<\/p>\n PHOTO: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Meanwhile, Ms Foo Chi Hsia, who is Deputy Secretary (South-east Asia and ASEAN) at MFA, will be appointed as Second Permanent Secretary (Digital Development) at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), Second Permanent Secretary (Smart Nation) at the PMO, and Second Permanent Secretary (Development) at MFA. <\/p>\n Ms Foo Chi Hsia will be appointed as Second Permanent Secretary (Digital Development) at MDDI, Second Permanent Secretary (Smart Nation) at the PMO, and Second Permanent Secretary (Development) at MFA.<\/p>\n PHOTO: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n These changes will also take effect on April 1.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/picture><\/div>
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