Singapore appoints new civil service chiefs

Five civil servants have been appointed to permanent secretary and second permanent secretary positions in four departments, the Singapore Public Service Division (PSD) announced last week.
On 18 November, Stanley Loh Ka Leung will take on the roles of second permanent secretary (special duties) at the Prime Minister’s Office, second permanent secretary at the Ministry of Social and Family Development, and second permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
Loh, a career diplomat, has served in various posts at MFA in recent years, including deputy secretary (international) between 2011 and 2012, director of the Middle East directorate in 2005, and deputy chief of mission of the Singapore Embassy in the US in 2000, according to The Straits Times.
His most recent post, which he has held since March 2012, is that of ambassador to China. Former transport minister Lui Tuck Yew, who has been ambassador to Japan since June 2017, will take over from Loh as ambassador to China.
In addition to his roles in the MFA, Loh was also press secretary in 2004 to prime minister and later senior minister, Goh Chok Tong.
Further appointments
Several other permanent secretary changes will take effect from 2 December.
Chan Yeng Kit will relinquish his role as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence and swap portfolios with Chan Heng Kee, who is currently permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health.
Ng How Yue will leave his post as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Law to focus on his work at the Ministry of Health, where he has been second permanent secretary since January 2017. He will be promoted to permanent secretary (health development) and will be charged with giving “greater focus to ageing issues, in addition to public health and health promotion,” according to PSD.
Loh Khum Yean, permanent secretary for the PSD, will take over from Ng How Yue in a second appointment as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Law.