AIC CEO expected to resign in next few days, latest senior public servant to do so ahead of GE2025
Under his leadership, AIC rolls out programmes to encourage more seniors to volunteer and supports the implementation of Healthier SG, among other initiatives
[SINGAPORE] Dinesh Vasu Dash, the chief executive of the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), is expected to resign in the next few days and join politics, The Straits Times has learnt.
His resignation would be the latest among a raft of senior public servants who have left the service in the last few weeks, ahead of the next general election, which is expected by mid-year.
Dinesh, 49, has helmed AIC since 2023 – first as CEO-designate, before taking on the role officially in February 2024.
The AIC coordinates care services for seniors.
Under his leadership, AIC rolled out programmes to encourage more seniors to volunteer and supported the implementation of Healthier SG, among other initiatives.
Before joining AIC, Dinesh was director of the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) crisis strategy and operations group during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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He was also behind the push to vaccinate Singaporeans against the virus, for which he received the Public Service Star (Covid-19) award in 2024.
The special edition of the national award was given to those who led major efforts, contributing significantly to managing the impact of the pandemic on Singapore.
Before joining MOH in 2020, Dinesh spent more than 25 years in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and rose to the rank of brigadier-general.
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He was commander of the 2nd People’s Defence Force and led an SAF task force providing security during the 2018 summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that was held in Singapore.
ST has contacted Dinesh for comment.
His expected departure follows the announcement of resignations of three senior civil servants on Mar 25.
They are: second permanent secretary Jeffrey Siow from the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Trade and Industry; Shawn Loh, the 2024 and 2025 Budget director, who is also director of security and resilience programmes at the Ministry of Finance; and Ms Goh Hanyan, director in the Smart Nation Strategy Office and the national artificial intelligence group for policy and strategy at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information.
Earlier, ST reported that deputy secretary (policy) Jasmin Lau from MOH and director for private and future mobility Foo Cexiang from the Ministry of Transport had also resigned.
They will all leave the service within the next two weeks.
The PAP has traditionally tapped public service leaders when sourcing for candidates. Those who are chosen to stand often resign in the lead-up to the election, as they are not allowed to participate in political activities while in the service. THE STRAITS TIMES
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