Veteran Permian service Chan Yeng Keat will retire from government service but will remain CEO of SPH Media

SINGAPORE – Former Permanent Health Minister Chan Yeng Keat, 59, will retire from government service on Jan 1, 2025, but will continue to lead SPH Media as its chief executive.

Mr Chan became chief executive of SPH Media on July 15 after an extensive career in the public sector, labor movement and private sector.

From 2019 to 2024, Mr Chan was permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, where he helped lead the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

He has also played a key role in initiatives such as Healthier SG, which focuses on preventive healthcare, and the Nurses’ Kindness, Excellence and Loyalty Award program, which aims to increase the workforce needs of the healthcare sector.

Mr Chan began his career in the public service in 1989 and has held other key positions such as Chief Executive of the former Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, Permanent Secretary of the former Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and Permanent Minister for Defence. among other things.

In 2022 he was awarded the Medal of Merit.

Another senior civil servant, Law Ngai Seng, 53, will be appointed permanent secretary for national development, the civil service department of the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement on November 8.

He will take up his new role on 11 December 2024 and will step down as Permanent Minister for Transport on the same day.

Two other permanent secretaries will be transferred from their current positions.

Mr Lau Piet Meng, 49, who is the permanent minister for transport development, will be reappointed as permanent transport minister from December 11.

Mr Luke Guo Peng Yi, 49, who is Permanent Secretary for Law and Second Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, will be reappointed as Permanent Secretary for Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from December 1. He will remain permanent secretary at law.