Permanent Secretary for Defence to retire

SINGAPORE - Veteran public servant Chiang Chie Foo, 56, will retire from the elite Administrative Service on Sept 1 this year, after 32 years of "distinguished service", the Public Service Division (PSD) said on Monday.

Stepping into his shoes as Permanent Secretary (Defence) is Mr Chan Yeng Kit, 48, who was appointed Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) last year, the PSD added in a statement.

Mr Chiang, however, will continue to work in the public sector as chairman of the Central Provident Fund Board, an appointment he has held since the start of this month.

A well-decorated civil servant, he was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1997 and the Meritorious Service Medal in 2007 "for his significant contributions to the Public Service".

He joined the Administrative Service in 1981 and held such key positions as director of the Internal Security Department and principal private secretary to the Prime Minister, before being made a permanent secretary in 1997.

As permanent secretary (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", said the PSD.

From 2005 to 2011, he was permanent secretary (Prime Minister's Office), and led several national committees and played "an important role in developing population policies and engaging overseas Singaporeans".

He has been Permanent Secretary (Defence) since 2004.

The PSD said he established an integrated approach to defence planning, pushed through reforms that enhanced the Singapore Armed Forces' ability to recruit and retain talent, and strengthened defence ties with other countries.

His successor, Mr Chan, joined the Administrative Service in 1989.

He was previously chief executive officer of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore and permanent secretary (Information, Communications and the Arts).

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