Not a 'global search': Khaw is the right pick to chair SPH Media, says Iswaran

Gayle Goh SY

Published Mon, May 10, 2021 · 08:04 AM

THE shortlist of candidates to chair the SPH Media Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), if and when it is formed, was "not very long", nor was a global search conducted for the role, said S Iswaran in Parliament on Monday.

The communications and information minister was responding to Workers' Party (WP) chairman Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC), who had questioned the basis of the proposal for former Cabinet minister Khaw Boon Wan to take up the role.

"I'm not questioning the personal integrity of Mr Khaw, but the fact is that he is the former chairman of the People's Action Party (PAP), and former Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure," she said. She asked whether the government had suggested that Mr Khaw take up the role, and if this represented a "missed opportunity" to nominate someone less closely linked to the government.

To the first question, Mr Iswaran said: "The choice of Mr Khaw Boon Wan is something that not just the government, but in fact the management shareholders, were very keen on. And as I (have) said, it was a discussion that we had.

"This is not the kind of position for which you have a very long shortlist, or (where) you would do a global search," he added. "In the end, you have to decide on the basis of what is needed, what are the attributes we seek, and how do we go forward. And that's what happened here."

On concerns if links to government could compromise editorial independence, Mr Iswaran cited the precedent of former officials taking up such positions: The chairman of SPH (Singapore Press Holdings), which publishes The Business Times, is former minister Lee Boon Yang. Mediacorp's chairman, Niam Chiang Meng, is an ex-civil servant.

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"What matters is not a perceived political hue in the appointment," replied Mr Iswaran. "But rather, the substance of the character and capability of the people who are involved." He added that Mr Khaw is held in high standing by many, and has a "proven track record" of working on difficult issues.

"What you need is someone at the leadership level who has the gravitas, has the strategic vision, and the experience in undertaking these sorts of major tasks. And make no mistake about it, this is a major undertaking, and it is one of national importance."

Said Mr Iswaran: "Is this a missed opportunity? I think what would be a missed opportunity is if we allow political considerations to prevent us from making the right decision, in terms of the right person for the job, to get it done."

Mr Khaw told The Straits Times on Monday that he had accepted this "heavy responsibility" with some anxiety, as he had no experience with digital media, but that he will do his best to ensure the project succeeds. "I cannot allow a Singapore institution to go into decline," he said.

"I will see how I can help unleash the talent and the passion in our newsrooms. We will re-focus on our primary mission of providing quality journalism to help build this young nation."

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