The Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore (CRA) announced on Friday that it has appointed a new chief executive.

With effect from Jan 6 next year, Mr Jerry See, 45, will take over Mr Lau Peet Meng, 38, as the new chief executive of the CRA. Mr See is currently chief exective of the Home Team Academy in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Since his appointment in June last year, Mr Lau has "strengthened CRA's standing as a firm, fair and respected casino regulator," said the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) in its statement. He has also established an enforcement branch and improved the CRA's investigative and research capabilities, added the MHA. Come next year, Mr Lau will return to the Singapore Police Force as its director of operations.

"In the short three years since the casinos opened in Singapore, Peet Meng has helped establish CRA as a well-referenced regulatory agency internationally. He has built up a strong team that is ready for the challenges ahead, and helped build the right values and instincts within the Authority that puts the interests of Singapore and Singaporeans at the heart of CRA's work," said Mr Richard Magnus, chairman of the CRA.