SINGAPORE: The Public Service Division (PSD) has revealed a series of personnel redeployments for permanent secretaries that will take effect in the coming months.
Several high-ranking officials will see changes in their roles and responsibilities from Jan 1, 2024.
Mr Jeffrey Siow Chen Siang, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at Enterprise Singapore, will take on a new role as Second Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Manpower.
Mr Siow, 45, has an extensive background in public service, with previous appointments at various government ministries, including the Ministry of Manpower, Public Service Division, Civil Service College, Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Transport. Notably, he served as the Principal Private Secretary to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong from 2017 to 2021.
Ms Teoh Zsin Woon will assume the role of Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. She will continue concurrently as Permanent Secretary (Development) at the Public Service Division.
Ms Teoh, 49, has had a diverse career in public service, including positions at the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Manpower, the Workforce Development Agency, and the Ministry of National Development. She served as Deputy Secretary (Development) at the Ministry of Health in 2013 and, more recently, as Second Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Development and the Public Service Division.
Ms Tan Gee Keow will relinquish her position as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. However, she will continue to serve as Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Division.
Ms Tan, 48, has held roles in various government ministries, such as the Ministry of Finance, Public Service Division, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Education. She was appointed as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth in 2018 and later as Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Division in October 2023.
Former Chief of Defence Force, Mr Melvyn Ong Su Kiat, the current Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) at the Ministry of Defence, will be concurrently appointed as Permanent Secretary (Development) at the Ministry of National Development.
Mr Ong, 48, has a distinguished career with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and has held significant command and staff positions. Aside from his role as CDF, he has been seconded to the Civil Service as Deputy Chief Executive of the Early Childhood Development Agency, Ministry of Social and Family Development, between 2013 and 2014.
Mr Chng Kai Fong, the current Permanent Secretary (Development) at the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) and Permanent Secretary (Development) (Cybersecurity) at the Prime Minister’s Office, will undergo a redesignation.
Starting from Nov 1, 2023, he will become Permanent Secretary (Information and Development) at MCI while retaining his role as Permanent Secretary (Development) (Cybersecurity) in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Mr Chng, 44, has served in various government departments and was previously Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister. He was Managing Director of the Economic Development Board in 2017 and took on roles within the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG) and MCI in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The reshuffle is expected to enhance the public service’s efficiency and capabilities in delivering essential services to the nation.