Defence Permanent Secretary Chiang Chie Foo retires

DEFENCE PERMANENT SECRETARY CHIANG CHIE FOO RETIRES

Mr Chiang Chie Foo, 56, Permanent Secretary (Defence), will retire from the Administrative Service on 1 September 2013 after 32 years of distinguished service in the public sector. Post retirement, Mr Chiang will continue to contribute to the public sector as Chairman, Central Provident Fund Board.

Mr Chan Yeng Kit,48, who became Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) last year, will be re-designated Permanent Secretary (Defence) on the same date.

Mr Chiang Chie Foo

Mr Chiang Chie Foo joined the Administrative Service in 1981. He held several key appointments in the public sector in the areas of security, education and defence, including being Director, Internal Security Department and Principal Private Secretary (PPS) to the First Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong (and later as PPS to the Prime Minister when Mr Goh became the PM).

Mr Chiang was appointed Second Permanent Secretary (Education) in 1997 and then PS (Education) from 1999 to 2004. He improved the quality of education by investing in the career development and recognition for teachers, and better infrastructure for schools. He also restructured the National Institute of Education and the Junior College system.

When Mr Chiang was PS (Prime Minister’s Office) from 2005 to 2011, he led several national committees and played an important role in developing population policies and engaging overseas Singaporeans.

Mr Chiang has been PS (Defence) since 2004 and has ensured that MINDEF and the SAF remain capable and operationally ready.  He established an integrated approach to defence planning and spearheaded a strategic framework for the transformation to a Third Generation SAF.  He also guided changes in the uniformed schemes of service which placed MINDEF and the SAF in a strong position to continue to recruit and retain talent. Mr Chiang has also made significant contributions towards strengthening bilateral defence ties with countries within our region and around the world.

Mr Chiang was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1997 and the Meritorious Service Medal in 2007 for his significant contributions to the Public Service.

Mr Chan Yeng Kit

Mr Chan joined the Administrative Service in 1989. He served in various capacities in the Public Service Division, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education. Mr Chan was on secondment to the NTUC from 1991 to 1993 and to the Suzhou Industrial Township Development from 1993 to 1994. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer, InfoComm Development Authority of Singapore in 2005 and Permanent Secretary (Information, Communications and the Arts) in 2008.