SINGAPORE - President Halimah Yacob will be overseas on a private visit for over a week from Sunday (Jan 28), the President's Office said in a statement.

In her absence, Mr J Y Pillay, chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA), will take over.

He will exercise the functions of the Office of President of the Republic of Singapore from Jan 28 to Feb 5.

The CPA advises the president in the exercise of her custodial and discretionary powers in the safeguarding of the past reserves of the Government and 5th Schedule Statutory Boards and Government Companies (5th Schedule SBGCs), and in the appointments of key personnel in the public service and 5th Schedule SBGCs.

The 5th Schedule SBGCs are: The Central Provident Fund Board, the Housing Board, Jurong Town Corporation, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, GIC and Temasek Holdings.