Civil service head Leo Yip to retire after 43 years in public sector; Chan Heng Kee to succeed him
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Mr Leo Yip (left) will be succeeded by Mr Chan Heng Kee.
PHOTOS: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION
- Leo Yip, Head of Civil Service, retires after 43 years, having led the public service's Covid-19 response, including vaccine procurement.
- Chan Heng Kee succeeds Yip on April 1, relinquishing Defence post but retaining National Security role; other Permanent Secretary appointments shuffled.
- Joseph Leong moves to Defence, Chng Kai Fong fills MDDI roles, Lai Chung Han gets Special Duties role at PMO, while Foo Chi Hsia will become a new Second Permanent Secretary.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – Civil service head Leo Yip, 62, who led the public service’s response during the Covid-19 pandemic, will retire from the Administrative Service after 43 years in the public sector.
Mr Yip, who is also Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and heads its strategy group, will be succeeded by Mr Chan Heng Kee.
Mr Chan, 57, will take over Mr Yip’s portfolios and relinquish his current posts as Permanent Secretary (Defence) and Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) in the PMO.
The changes will take effect on April 1, the Public Service Division (PSD) said in a statement on March 9.
Paying tribute to Mr Yip’s decades of service, the PSD said he played a key role in strengthening the public service’s ability to work in close alignment, and to build new capabilities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In recognition of his contributions, Mr Yip was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 2018.
Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing, who is Minister-in-charge of the Public Service, thanked Mr Yip for his more than four decades of “exemplary leadership and extensive contributions to the public service and Singapore”.
“As head of civil service and throughout his career, Leo has served with distinction and dedication across a wide range of sectors,” said the minister. “He was instrumental in charting new direction, pushing boundaries, and strengthening capabilities in the public service.”
Mr Chan Heng Kee will continue his appointment as Permanent Secretary for National Security and Intelligence Coordination at the PMO.
Other changes
The PSD also announced a shuffle in other permanent secretary appointments, and the appointment of a new permanent secretary.
Mr Joseph Leong will take over Mr Chan’s role at the Ministry of Defence.
Mr Joseph Leong will take over Mr Chan Heng Kee’s role at the Ministry of Defence.
PHOTO: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION
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.
Mr Chng Kai Fong will be Permanent Secretary for Digital Development and Information, Permanent Secretary (Smart Nation) and Permanent Secretary (Cybersecurity) at the PMO.
PHOTO: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION
Mr Lai Chung Han will be appointed as Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) at the PMO, concurrent with his appointment as Permanent Secretary for Finance.
Mr Lai Chung Han will be appointed as Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) at the PMO, concurrent with his appointment as Permanent Secretary for Finance.
PHOTO: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION
Ms Ngiam Siew Ying will be appointed as Second Permanent Secretary for National Development, concurrent with her appointment as Second Permanent Secretary for Finance.
Ms Ngiam Siew Ying will be appointed as Second Permanent Secretary for National Development, concurrent with her appointment as Second Permanent Secretary for Finance.
PHOTO: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION
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.
Mr Luke Goh Peng Ee will be redesignated as Permanent Secretary (Policy) at MFA and continue concurrently as Permanent Secretary for Law.
PHOTO: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION
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.
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.
PHOTO: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION
These changes will also take effect on April 1.
