Pioneering civil servant and diplomat Cheng Tong Fatt dies at 96

SINGAPORE – Dr Cheng Tong Fatt, a pioneering civil servant and diplomat who served Singapore in a range of portfolios that included food security, urban development and broadcasting, died on Nov 4. He was 96.

Dr Cheng suffered a stroke on Oct 9 and was hospitalised at the National University Hospital. He was transferred to Assisi Hospice about a week ago, where he died peacefully.

He leaves his daughter, son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. His wife, Dr Peggy Cheng, died in 2020.

Dr Cheng spent 47 years in the civil service, starting in 1957 as a veterinary officer with the Primary Production Department (PPD) and finally retiring in 2004 as ambassador-at-large with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

His career spanned vital roles, including serving as Singapore’s

first ambassador to China

from 1991 to 1998. Before this, he was ambassador to Japan from 1988 to 1991, and concurrently to South Korea from 1988 to 1990.

A veterinarian by training, Dr Cheng obtained his bachelor’s in veterinary medicine and surgery from Glasgow University in 1957. He was the director of PPD from 1962 to 1970.

He was transferred to the Ministry of National Development in 1971 and became its permanent secretary from 1972 to 1979. He was also permanent secretary for culture from 1979 to 1985.

He also served as the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s acting chairman and later chairman from 1978 to 1981, and was deputy chairman of the Housing Board from 1977 to 1978.

A key architect of Singapore’s broadcasting industry, he was general manager and later deputy chairman of the Singapore Broadcasting Corp (SBC), the precursor to Mediacorp, from 1980 to 1988. 

Speaking to The Straits Times, his son, Mr Cheng Jin-Yu, remembers his father as a loving husband, doting father and grandfather as well as a trailblazer and pioneer of Singapore.

“Papa was a man of few words and even fewer emotions. But he always cared for us and made sure that everything would be fine for us,” he said.

Mr Cheng said that throughout his father’s illustrious career, Dr Cheng had the opportunity to work with many of Singapore’s founding leaders, including founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, Mr Lim Kim San, Mr Eddie Barker, and past presidents of Singapore.

“During his term with Ministry of National Development, he focused much effort to help implement Singapore’s greening efforts and develop our pig and fishery industries,” he said.

“I still remember the many weekend visits to the unique-smelling Punggol pig farms when I was a young boy.”

His father will always be remembered for his bold vision and contributions to the establishment of the Chinese drama division at SBC, he said.

“I still recall having the privilege of watching the weekly episodes of the popular dramas Army Series, The Awakening, The Samsui Women on VHS tapes prior to them being aired on TV,” he said. “I even had the opportunity to visit the studio sets when he made his surprise visits on Saturday nights after dinner.”

Dr Cheng was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1963 and the Meritorious Service Medal in 1970. 

“He touched the lives of many people and his memory and legacy will continue to live on through the fond memories of his love, achievements and lifelong friendships,” Mr Cheng said.

“We will always cherish his many accomplishments and what he has done in service to the nation.”

On Nov 5, MFA said in a statement that it was saddened by Dr Cheng’s passing. It noted his significant contributions to Singapore’s foreign policy, including the role he played in establishing and developing the Suzhou Industrial Park, which remains a cornerstone of Singapore’s bilateral cooperation with China.

As ambassador to Japan and South Korea, Dr Cheng helped lay the foundation of the substantive bilateral partnerships Singapore enjoys with the two countries today, MFA said.

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said: “He made lasting and crucial contributions to the development of Singapore’s diplomatic relations with China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. We are grateful to Dr Cheng for dedicating many decades of his life to public service.”

Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Albert Chua remembered working with Dr Cheng, saying he was a trailblazing diplomat and dedicated public servant, whose wise counsel and dedication helped establish the foundation of Singapore’s diplomatic relations with China during a crucial period in both nations’ histories.

Mr Chua added: “Dr Cheng’s contributions will continue to inspire future generations of diplomats in their service to Singapore.”