New chief for Singapore Navy

SINGAPORE - The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has a new chief in Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lai Chung Han. The change of command ceremony was held at Changi Naval Base today.

The outgoing Chief of Navy, RADM Ng Chee Peng, handed over the Navy's symbol of command to RADM Lai at the parade, which was witnessed by Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng, and attended by senior SAF officers and servicemen from the Navy.

At the parade, RADM Ng reviewed a Guard-of-Honour contingent and six supporting contingents formed by the various RSN's formations, with a display of RSN ships and static displays in the background.

RADM Ng, 44, has been the Chief of Navy since Mar 29, 2011.

He joined the SAF in 1988 and was awarded the President's Scholarship and SAF Overseas Scholarship in 1989. He has held several senior command and staff appointments in Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the SAF during the course of his career.

RADM Lai joined the SAF in Jan 1992 and was awarded the SAF (Overseas) and President's Scholarship in the same year. An alumni of the University of Cambridge and Harvard University, RADM Lai, has been Deputy Secretary (Policy) MINDEF since Sept 2012, before his latest appointment.

This change is part of the continuing process of leadership renewal in the SAF.

grongloh@sph.com.sg