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In this Chinese name, the family name is Koh.
Koh Yong Guan
PJG
Chairman of the Central Provident Fund Board
In office
1 June 2005 (2005-06-01) – 1 July 2013 (2013-07-01)
Preceded byMoses Lee Kim Poo
Succeeded byChiang Chie Foo
Chairman of the Central Provident Fund Board
In office
1 August 2001 (2001-08-01) – 31 December 2001 (2001-12-31)
Preceded byNgiam Tong Dow
Succeeded byMoses Lee Kim Poo
Chairman of the Singapore Turf Club
In office
1 July 2001 (2001-07-01) – 31 March 2008 (2008-03-31)
Preceded byHerman Ronald Hochstadt
Succeeded byTan Guong Ching
Personal details
Born (1946-06-09) 9 June 1946 (age 78)
Colony of Singapore
SpouseHelen
Children2
Alma materKatholieke Universiteit Leuven (MBA)
University of Toronto (MASc, BASc)
Raffles Institution
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese許永源
Simplified Chinese许永源
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinXǔ Yǒngyuán
IPA[ɕỳ.jʊ̀ŋ.yǎn]

Koh Yong Guan PJG (born 9 June 1946) is a former Singaporean engineer and civil servant, and served as the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Health from 1996 to 1999, and the Ministry of National Development in 2001.

Koh served as chairman of the Singapore Turf Club (2001–2008), Central Provident Fund (2001; 2005–2013), Singapore Island Country Club (2002–?),[1] and SMRT Corporation (2009–2017). Koh also served as director of Keppel in 1996, and managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (1998–2001; 2001–2005).[2]

Early life and education

[edit]

On 9 June 1946, Koh was born in Singapore.[3][4] He received his early education at Siglap Secondary School, and obtained a Senior Cambridge in 1964.[5] Thereafter, Koh studied at Raffles Institution.[6]

A Colombo Plan scholar, Koh studied at the University of Toronto, obtaining a Bachelor of Applied Science in mechanical engineering in 1970, and a Master of Applied Science in mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering in 1972.[7][8]

In 1981, Koh graduated from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven with a Master in Business Administration.[8]

Career

[edit]

Upon returning to Singapore in 1972, Koh joined the Ministry of Health (MOH) as a biomedical engineer. In 1979, he was transferred to the administrative service, serving in the Ministry of Education. In January 1980, as the head of recruiting foreign talent, Koh was sent to the High Commission of Singapore in London to conduct a recruitment drive for British teachers to teach in Singapore. More than 300 teachers responded, and Koh was involved in interviewing and shortlisting the candidates.[9][10] In July 1980, the first batch of 45 expatriate teachers arrived in Singapore.[11]

In 1986, Koh was transferred to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).[12] On 1 May 1989, Koh was appointed as its second permanent secretary, assisting Lim Siong Guan.[13][14] To address the shortage of available training area for the Singapore Armed Forces, Koh announced the usage of Pulau Sudong for training exercises from September 1990.[15]

On 10 January 1991, Koh was appointed as commissioner of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), replacing Hsu Tse Kwang.[12][16] In August 1992, during the first convocation ceremony at Nanyang Technological University, Koh gave a speech to more than 400 accountancy graduands, reminding them that creative accounting will not be condoned.

Scheming and contriving to avoid paying a fair share of tax is certainly not in the public interest. Accountants must be conscious of their ethical and moral responsibilities to the community at large. Accountants and the integrity of our accounting profession are important ingredients. They are key factors in our ability to maintain our reputation. It contributes to the confidence which investors have in doing business with us. But, ultimately, what determines the integrity of the profession is the personal integrity and accountability of the individuals who make the profession.[17]

After his speech, companies such as Straits Steamship Land (now known as Keppel Land) released financial statements with changes to their accounting policy.[18] In late 1992 and early 1993, to help businesses understand and file tax returns easily, Koh launched a new publication to help clarify tax laws, and announced new measures such as a one-stop service branch and computer-assisted appraisal system to improve efficiency.[19][20]

On 1 June 1996, Koh was appointed as the second permanent secretary for MOH, assisting Kwa Soon Bee.[8][21] On 5 September 1996, Kwa retired from the civil service, and Koh succeeded him on the next day.[22][23] Shortly after, Koh announced that salary and promotion criteria for senior doctors will be reviewed to match with the private sector.[24][25]

On 1 April 1997, Koh was given an additional portfolio of second permanent secretary for the Ministry of Finance, assisting Ngiam Tong Dow. In addition, Koh relinquished his position at IRAS to Koh Cher Siang.[26][27] On 1 January 1998, Koh was appointed as managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).[28][29][30] To act against any speculative attack on the Singapore dollar, Koh said that Singapore operated on a floating exchange rate policy, and MAS will intervene in the foreign exchange market to ensure the Singapore exchange rate remains consistent with its policy.[31][32] In August 1998, Koh officiated the launch of the MAS Electronic Payment System, facilitating interbank transfers.[33] In preparation for the Year 2000 problem, Koh declared 31 December a bank holiday.[34][35]

On 1 April 2000, Koh was appointed as deputy chairman of the Singapore Turf Club (STC), assisting chairman Herman Ronald Hochstadt.[36][37] On 1 April 2001, Tharman Shanmugaratnam replaced Koh as managing director of MAS, and Koh was appointed as permanent secretary for the Ministry of National Development, while still remaining on the MAS board.[38] On 1 July 2001, Koh became the chairman of STC.[39] On 1 August 2001, Koh succeeded Ngiam as chairman of the Central Provident Fund (CPF).[40] On 21 October 2001, Tharman resigned from MAS to contest in the 2001 general election as a candidate for the People's Action Party, and Koh assumed his position.[41]

On 1 January 2002, Moses Lee Kim Poo succeeded Koh as chairman of CPF.[42] On 31 May 2005, Koh retired from the civil service and stepped down as managing director of MAS, with Heng Swee Keat as his replacement. The next day, Koh replaced Lee as chairman of CPF.[43][44]

On 1 April 2008, Koh stepped down as chairman of the STC, with Tan Guong Ching as his successor.[45]

Diplomatic career

[edit]

In January 2008, Koh was appointed as High Commissioner to Canada, while residing in Singapore.[3][46] In July 2009, Koh succeeded Choo Chiau Beng as chairman of SMRT Corporation.[47] In December 2011, major disruptions occurred along the North-South MRT line, and Koh apologised on behalf of the board:

My colleagues and I take the disruptions and inconveniences caused to our train passengers last week very seriously. The board will spare no effort and resources to ensure that SMRT earns back the confidence of the commuters and public. We apologise to the travelling public for the disruptions and inconveniences in the last week.[48][49]

In May 2013, Koh was appointed as a non-resident ambassador to the Greece.[4][50] On 1 July 2013, Koh stepped down as chairman of CPF.[51] In July 2017, he stepped down as chairman of SMRT, and Seah Moon Ming succeeded Koh.[52][53] In January 2020, Simon Tay replaced Koh as ambassador.[54]

Personal life

[edit]

Koh is married to Helen with two sons.[3][4]

Awards and decorations

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sreenivasan, Ven (5 December 2001). "SICC members see red over $12m unrealised share losses". The Business Times. p. 1. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  2. ^ "Koh Yong Guan on Keppel Corp board". The Straits Times. 1 July 1996. p. 47. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Appointment of Singapores High Commissioner to Canada". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 30 January 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Appointment of Singapore's Non-Resident Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic and Singapore's Non-Resident High Commissioner to the Republic of Ghana". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  5. ^ "CAMBRIDGE EXAM RESULTS". The Straits Times. 10 March 1964. p. 9. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  6. ^ Siu, Kang Fook, ed. (2015). My Grandfather's Class. Singapore: Raffles Institution. ISBN 978-981-09-7871-6.
  7. ^ "47 pegawai naik pangkat" [47 officers promoted]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 31 July 1993. p. 10. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  8. ^ a b c "Koh Yong Guan appointed second perm sec". The Straits Times. 31 May 1996. p. 3. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  9. ^ Ooi, Teresa (29 February 1980). "Teacher drive in top gear". New Nation. p. 1. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  10. ^ "300 apply to teach here". New Nation. 3 April 1980. p. 3. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  11. ^ "All set for expat flow". New Nation. 10 June 1980. p. 1. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Second Defence Perm Sec to head Inland Revenue Dept". The Straits Times. 19 January 1991. p. 20. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  13. ^ "Mindef gets second perm sec". The Straits Times. 31 March 1989. p. 1. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  14. ^ Ang, Lilian (31 March 1989). "Liu Thai Ker to head revamped URA". The Business Times. p. 1. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  15. ^ Pereira, Mathew (26 September 1990). "SAF troops now using Pulau Sudong for exercises". The Straits Times. p. 3. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  16. ^ "Ex-HDB chief posted to Finance Ministry". The Straits Times. 23 January 1991. p. 21. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  17. ^ "Creative accounting 'unacceptable'". The Straits Times. 7 August 1992. p. 28. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  18. ^ Lee, Han Shih (8 August 1992). "SSL's change in accounting policy: fuller explanation needed". The Business Times. p. 3. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  19. ^ "Publication to help taxpayers". The Business Times. 4 March 1993. p. 2. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  20. ^ Kagda, Shoeb (3 November 1992). "Companies and accounting firms commend new tax procedures". The Business Times. p. 1. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  21. ^ "CEO Iras kini Setiausaha Tetap II Kesihatan juga" [Iras CEO now Second Permanent Secretary of Health as well]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 31 May 1996. p. 3. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  22. ^ "Dr Kwa Soon Bee to retire after 40 years in civil service". The Straits Times. 3 September 1996. p. 3. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  23. ^ "Kwa Soon Bee bersara selepas khidmat 40 tahun" [Kwa Soon Bee retires after 40 years of service]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 3 September 1996. p. 1. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  24. ^ "Senior doctors' pay to be reviewed". The Straits Times. 16 September 1996. p. 1. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  25. ^ "Govt doctors to get faster promotions and higher allowances". The Business Times. 16 September 1996. p. 2. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  26. ^ "Education gets two new permanent secretaries". The Straits Times. 1 March 1997. p. 2. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  27. ^ Chuang, Peck Ming (1 March 1997). "Reshuffle of top civil servants". The Business Times. p. 2. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  28. ^ Tan, Li Eng (20 December 1997). "BG Lee to replace Dr Hu as MAS chairman". The Straits Times[. p. 3. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  29. ^ Ong, Catherine (20 December 1997). "BG Lee is MAS chairman from Jan 1". The Business Times. p. 1. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  30. ^ "Deputy leader to head central bank". South China Morning Post. 20 December 1997. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  31. ^ "MAS ready to act to defend Sing$". The Straits Times. 8 January 1998. p. 1. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  32. ^ "MAS sedia campur tangan" [MAS ready to intervene]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 8 January 1998. p. 1. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  33. ^ Low, Eugene (14 August 1998). "MAS launches electronic payment system". The Business Times. p. 2. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  34. ^ Siow, Li Sen (22 June 1999). "MAS agrees to declare Dec 31 a S'pore bank holiday". The Business Times. p. 20. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  35. ^ "Dec 31 this year is a bank holiday". The Straits Times. 26 June 1999. p. 17. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  36. ^ "7 new members for Turf Club committee". The Business Times. 21 March 2000. p. 8. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  37. ^ "Corrections and clarifications". The Business Times. 4 April 2000. p. 12. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  38. ^ Sreenivasan, Ven (21 February 2001). "Tharman moves up to become MD of MAS". The Business Times. p. 1. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  39. ^ "New chairman urges Singapore Turf Club to improve returns". CNA. 29 June 2001.
  40. ^ "New chief for CPF". The Straits Times. 28 July 2001. p. 2. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  41. ^ "Top civil servants look set to run for PAP". The Straits Times. 21 October 2001. p. 3. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  42. ^ "Moses Lee is CPF chairman". The Straits Times. 31 December 2001. p. 4. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  43. ^ Chuang, Peck Ming (22 February 2005). "MAS names new managing director". The Business Times. p. 12. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  44. ^ Lim, Lydia (22 February 2005). "MAS to get new managing director". The Straits Times. p. 4. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  45. ^ "Turf Club chairman Koh to retire next year". The Straits Times. 15 November 2007. p. 44. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  46. ^ "SINGAPORE APPOINTS ENVOY TO CANADA". The Straits Times. 31 January 2008. p. 34. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  47. ^ "SMRT Corp chairman to retire". The Business Times. 16 May 2009. p. 9. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  48. ^ "SMRT board apologises for service disruptions". CNA. 22 December 2011.
  49. ^ "SMRT board says sorry, sets up probe". The Straits Times. 22 December 2011. p. 1. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  50. ^ "Singapore appoints new non-resident envoys to Hellenic Republic & Republic of Ghana". CNA. 26 May 2013.
  51. ^ "Koh Yong Guan named new chairman of CPF Board". CNA. 30 June 2005.
  52. ^ Chia, Yan Min (10 May 2017). "Seah Moon Ming to succeed Koh Yong Guan as SMRT chairman". The Straits Times. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  53. ^ "SMRT chairman Koh Yong Guan to step down, deputy to take over". Today. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  54. ^ "Appointment of Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Non-Resident Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba and the Republic of Panama". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  55. ^ "Father of S'pore Zoo honoured". The Straits Times. 9 August 1995. p. 1. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  56. ^ "Those honoured this year". The Straits Times. 9 August 1995. p. 19. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  57. ^ "N-DAY AWARDS INVESTITURE". The Straits Times. 4 November 1995. p. 29. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
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