Leo Yip to take over as head of Singapore civil service from Peter Ong on Sept 1

SINGAPORE'S civil service will get a new head starting Sept 1, when Leo Yip, 53, takes over from current head Peter Ong, 56.

On the same day, new permanent secretaries will also be appointed to oversee transport and home affairs issues.

In a media release on Tuesday afternoon, the Public Service Division under the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that Mr Ong will be retiring from the administrative service after more than 31 years of service. He is the current head of civil service, and permanent secretary for strategy in the PMO.

Mr Ong served in various capacities in various ministries and the Civil Service College before his secondment to Temasek Holdings as its executive vice-president from 1998 to 2000. He then served successively as permanent secretary in several ministries from 2000 to 2016. He was also chairman of various statutory boards.

When Mr Yip takes over, he will concurrently hold on to his appointments as permanent secretary for National Security and Intelligence Coordination, and permanent secretary in the PMO, including the portfolio of PMO Communications Group. He will relinquish his appointment as permanent secretary (Home Affairs).

Mr Yip held various appointments in the Singapore Police Force, and was appointed permanent secretary for manpower in 2005, and chairman of the Economic Development Board in 2009. He was then appointed permanent secretary for Home Affairs, and then made permanent secretary (Prime Minister's Office) and permanent secretary (National Security and Intelligence Coordination) in 2016.

Also on Sept 1, present permanent secretary for transport Pang Kin Keong will relinquish the appointment, and be appointed as permanent secretary for home affairs.

Loh Ngai Seng will then take over Mr Pang's transport portfolio, and relinquish his appointment as second permanent secretary for home affairs.

Lai Chung Han will take up the role of second permanent secretary (Home Affairs), concurrent with his appointment as second permanent secretary (Education).

There are about 80,000 civil servants in Singapore, according to media reports.

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