Permanent Secretary Retirement and Appointments - 16 Apr 2026

1        Mr Pang Kin Keong (彭建强), 59, Permanent Secretary (Home Affairs) will retire from the Administrative Service on 1 June 2026 after 35 years of distinguished service in the Singapore Public Service.

2        Thanking Mr Pang, Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Mr Chan Chun Sing said, “I would like to thank Kin Keong for his many years of significant contributions and dedicated service to the Public Service and to Singapore. Kin Keong has served with distinction and made lasting impact, in particular, as Chairperson of the Homefront Crisis Executive Group during the COVID-19 pandemic, and during his time at the Ministry of Home Affairs where he worked tirelessly with other agencies and the community to make Singapore a safer and more harmonious country.”

3        Mr Pang joined the Public Service in 1993 and served in various appointments, including as Principal Private Secretary to then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Director of the Internal Security Department, and Director in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

4        In 2010, Mr Pang was appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Law, where he led the development of the masterplan to build up Singapore as an international hub for arbitration and legal services, as well as intellectual property services.

5        As Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport from 2012 to 2017, he led several major initiatives to position our transport infrastructure for the future. These included the planning of Changi Airport Terminal 5 and Tuas Port. He led efforts to develop a more sustainable public transportation system, including the New Rail Financing Framework and the Bus Contracting Framework. He also strengthened connectivity through the development of extensive cycling infrastructure and covered walkways.

6        Since September 2017, Mr Pang has served as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs. He led the development and implementation of policies and laws, and the Ministry’s efforts to deal with new security threats such as foreign interference and scams, as well as its responses in many critical and sensitive operations. Mr Pang also spearheaded the Home Team’s technology-led transformation to strengthen its capabilities, such as the setting up of the Home Team Science and Technology Agency and the New Clearance Concept for more secure, faster and more convenient immigration clearance.

7        During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Pang played a pivotal leadership role as Chairman of the Homefront Crisis Executive Group that guided and coordinated a coherent and effective whole-of-government response to the pandemic.

8        In recognition of his distinguished contributions to the Public Service, Mr Pang was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 2024.                         

New Permanent Secretary Appointment

9        Mr Wong Kang Jet (黄康杰) will be appointed as Second Permanent Secretary (Home Affairs), Second Permanent Secretary (Information), Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Second Permanent Secretary (Cybersecurity), Prime Minister’s Office with effect from 1 June 2026.

Change in Permanent Secretary Appointment

10       Mr Tan Chye Hee (陈财喜) will be appointed as Permanent Secretary (Home Affairs)¹ and will relinquish his appointment as Permanent Secretary (Information and Development), Ministry of Digital Development and Information with effect from 1 June 2026.

Background

Mr Wong Kang Jet

11       Mr Wong Kang Jet, 46, has held various appointments in the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education and Strategy Group in the Prime Minister’s Office. Mr Wong was the Principal Private Secretary to then-Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat from May 2019 to February 2023. In March 2023, he was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the National Environment Agency.

Mr Tan Chye Hee

12        Mr Tan Chye Hee, 52, joined the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in 1992 after he was awarded an SPF Overseas Scholarship. He was appointed to the Administrative Service in 2001. Mr Tan has held various appointments in the SPF, Ministry of Trade and Industry and MHA, before his appointment as Deputy Commissioner (Investigations and Intelligence), SPF in 2015, and Director, Internal Security Department, MHA in 2020. He was appointed as Permanent Secretary (Home Affairs Development) and Permanent Secretary (Information and Development), Ministry of Digital Development and Information on 1 Oct 2025.

¹ Mr Tan Chye Hee will take over Mr Pang Kin Keong as the Chairman of Homefront Crisis Executive Group.