SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) on Friday (Dec 16) announced the appointment of Mr Tan Kiat How as the new chief executive of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), effective from Jan 1 next year (2017).

Mr Tan, currently the deputy secretary (cyber and technology) at MCI, will take over from Mr Gabriel Lim, who will continue to serve as second permanent secretary (communications and information).

Mr Tan, 39, worked at the former Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), the Ministry of Finance and the Pioneer Generation Office, said MCI in a media release.

Mr Tan's previous contributions include helping to develop the Intelligent Nation 2015 plan and implementing the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network at what was then known as the IDA.

He was also involved in refining the national cyber security strategy with the Cyber Security Agency in his time at MCI.

His predecessor Mr Lim, 40, was appointed co-managing director of IDA in May this year (2016), in preparation for the formation of IMDA on Oct 1.

He oversaw the establishment of the TechSkills Accelerator, a new hub for skills development and job placement, and preparations for Singapore's fourth mobile network operator.

Mr Lim was previously appointed chief executive of the former Media Development Authority of Singapore on Dec 8, 2014.

"Mr Tan will build on ongoing efforts to strengthen the IMDA and partner industry stakeholders to grow the infocomm media sector," said MCI.