Ex-F&N chairman Dr Michael Fam, who had a long record of public service, dies at age 87

Dr Michael Fam, the former executive chairman of Fraser and Neave Group, died Saturday morning at the age of 87. -- ST PHOTO: FRASER & NEAVE
Dr Michael Fam, the former executive chairman of Fraser and Neave Group, died Saturday morning at the age of 87. -- ST PHOTO: FRASER & NEAVE

SINGAPORE - The former executive chairman of Fraser and Neave Group Dr Michael Fam died Saturday morning at the age of 87.

His son Richard said that Dr Fam died in his home off Bukit Timah Road surrounded by family members.

Dr Fam was a prominent businessmen who has a sterling record of public service. He was the chairman of the Housing Board from 1975 to 1983, when he oversaw the modernisation of the construction industry. He was also the chairman of the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation from 1983 to 1991, when where he worked on the $5-billion MRT project, which was then the largest, most complex and ambitious public project in Singapore's history.

In 1990, Dr Fam received the Order of Nila Utama (First Class), one of Singapore's highest state honours, for his contributions to public service. The award citation described him as a "rare individual" who serves his fellow men at "great personal sacrifice".

Dr Fam was the executive chairman of F&N Group from 1983 to 2007. He was also the former chairman of Singapore Airlines and Asia Pacific Breweries, and held directorships at Temasek Holdings, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation and Singapore Press Holdings.

He is survived by his wife Dulcie, son Richard and daughter Anita.

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