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Yong Ying-I

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Yong Ying-I
Chairman of the Central Provident Fund Board
Assumed office
1 July 2021 (2021-07-01)
Preceded byChiang Chie Foo
Personal details
Born1964 (age 60–61)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Alma materHarvard Business School (MBA)
University of Cambridge (BA)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese楊穎儀
Simplified Chinese杨颖仪
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYáng Yǐngyí
IPA[jǎŋ.ìŋ.ǐ]

Yong Ying-I PPA(E) PPA(P) PBS (born c. 1964) is a Singaporean economist and civil servant, who became the youngest officer in 1995 to reach superscale G in the Singapore Civil Service.

She was also the second female permanent secretary in Singapore, serving in the Ministry of Manpower (2002–2005), Ministry of Health (2005–2012), National Research Foundation (2011–2019), Public Service Division (2012–2019) and Ministry of Communications and Information (2019–2022).

Yong served as chairman of the Infocomm and Development Agency (2007–2015), Civil Service College (2011–2015).[1][2] She also served as a director of Sembcorp (2003–2010) and Singtel (2022–present).[3][4][5]

Yong is the incumbent chairman of the Central Provident Fund.

Early life and education

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In 1964, Yong was born in Kuala Lumpur, and she was the only child.[6] Her father, Yong Pung How, was an advocate, solicitor and later Chief Justice of Singapore. In the late 1960s, as the medium of instruction in Malaysian schools were switching to Malay, Yong's parents were disinclined for her to study in Malaysia. As such, her family migrated to Singapore in 1969.[7][8] Yong attended Hwa Chong Junior College.[9][10]

In June 1985, under an overseas scholarship awarded by the Public Service Commission, Yong sat for a tripos and graduated from the University of Cambridge with first class honours, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in economics.[11] In 1990, Yong graduated from Harvard Business School with a Master of Business Administration.[12]

Career

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Upon graduation, Yong returned to Singapore and began her career in the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), eventually rising to the position of assistant director.[13] In 1992, an article was published in the Far Eastern Economic Review, reporting about comments made by Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew regarding Singapore's economic growth. The ministry claimed that the article misreported Lee, and in response to the article, Yong clarified that the economic growth in Singapore is not reliant on a "frenetic stock exchange" as major foreign and multinational companies are not listed on the Stock Exchange of Singapore.[14]

In 1993, Yong was promoted to director in MTI.[12][15] In 1995, at the age of 31, Yong was the youngest officer to reach superscale G grade in the administrative division of the Singapore Civil Service.[16][17][18] In an interview to The Straits Times, Yong elaborated:

I thought I had a good chance. I do think a certain part of it was due to the changes in personnel management as well — I'm lucky, because I was in the right place at the right time, at the right age!
I think the key factor was that I had been doing a superscale job in MTI. I owe that appointment to my Permanent Secretary at MTI Lam Chuan Leong who took the risk and entrusted the directorship to me at a time when I was still an assistant secretary. At 29, I must have been the most junior director in the whole of government![19]

In 1997, Yong was transferred to become a principal private secretary for Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.[20][21] In 1999, Yong was appointed as chief executive officer of the IT and Telecommunications Authority, a newly-established statutory board under the Ministry of Communications.[22][23][24] The statutory board was later renamed as the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA). Upon the establishment, Yong announced plans promote the growth and development of infocommunications in Singapore, and reassured industry stakeholders that there will be liberalisation and support provided.[25][26] Yong also said the board's aim was to transform Singapore into the "largest information and communications hub" within Asia.[27][28] In 2000, Yong urged for local companies to regionalise and globalise through e-commerce, and hoped that Singapore will become the target for the Asian market.[29] She stepped down as chief executive in 2001.[30]

On 1 January 2002, Yong was the second woman to be appointed as permanent secretary for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), replacing Tan Chin Nam.[31][32] Shortly after, on 9 January, Yong was also appointed to the Economic Review Committee, chaired by Minister of State Ng Eng Hen.[33][34] In September 2003, Yong was the founding chairman of the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), a newly-established statutory board under MOM to promote continuing education and professional training for workers.[35][36] In her first press conference, Yong pledged that the agency will tackle the immediate problem of unemployment, aiming to assist more than 85,100 unemployed workers within a year.[37][38]

On 1 July 2005, Yong was transferred to the Ministry of Health, serving as its permanent secretary.[39] On 15 February 2006, Yong officially launched the first postgraduate school for allied healthcare workers in Singapore, established by the Singapore General Hospital.[40][41] In January 2007, to foster closer cooperation in healthcare, Yong signed a memorandum of understanding with her Dubai counterpart, Qadhi Saeed Almurooshid.[42] In February 2007, Yong also announced plans to set up standards for healthcare IT infrastructure nationwide, ensuring patient data to be standardised and easily shared between all public and private healthcare providers.[43]

On 31 August 2007, Yong stepped down as chairman of WDA. She was succeeded by her deputy chairman, Tan Pheng Hock.[44][45] In December 2007, Yong was appointed as chairman of IDA, replacing Lam Chuan Leong.[46]

In November 2011, Yong was appointed as permanent secretary for national research and development, while maintaining her existing portfolio.[47] On 1 April 2012, Yong relinquished her health portfolio and succeeded Lim Soo Hoon as permanent secretary for the public service division.[48][49]

On 30 November 2015, Yong stepped down as chairman of IDA, with Chan Yeng Kit as her successor.[50]

On 1 April 2019, Yong became permanent secretary for the Ministry of Communications and Information.[51] On 1 July 2021, Yong was appointed as chairman of the Central Provident Fund, succeeding Chiang Chie Foo.[52][53] On 1 April 2022, after 36 years in the public service, Yong retired, relinquishing her permanent secretary role for MCI to Joseph Leong.[54]

Awards and decorations

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References

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  1. ^ "Civil Service College has 7 new board directors". CNA. 27 September 2013.
  2. ^ Lee, U-Wen (28 September 2013). "Seven new faces to join CSC board". The Business Times. p. 16. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  3. ^ "Yong Ying-I joins SembCorp board". The Business Times. 27 May 2003. p. 6. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  4. ^ "YONG YING-I NAMED SCI DIRECTOR". The Straits Times. 27 May 2003. p. 15. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  5. ^ Howie, Geff (8 December 2024). "Marco Polo Marine directors boost shareholding". The Business Times. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  6. ^ "My finest hour? And the CJ's verdict is..." The Straits Times. 11 June 2004. p. 8. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  7. ^ Lum, Selina (10 January 2020). "Singapore's former chief justice Yong Pung How dies, aged 93". The Straits Times. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  8. ^ Lum, Selina (8 April 2021). "Former chief justice Yong Pung How sought to give back to Singapore, says daughter". The Straits Times. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  9. ^ "Netball champs". New Nation. 23 April 1981. p. 27. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  10. ^ Durai, Jennani (23 September 2011). "Briton says bye after 32 years at Hwa Chong". The Straits Times. p. 7. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  11. ^ "Eight score first class honours at Cambridge". The Straits Times. 28 June 1985. p. 1. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  12. ^ a b "FOR THE TOP". The Straits Times. 9 August 1993. p. 5. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  13. ^ Teo, Anna (15 January 1991). "Top economist job goes a-begging". The Business Times. p. 11. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  14. ^ Seow, Shaun (15 September 1992). "S'pore's growth does not rely on a frenetic stock exchange'". The Straits Times. p. 39. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  15. ^ "Defence Perm Sec, EDB head make Staff Grade". The Straits Times. 24 April 1994. p. 22. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  16. ^ Chua, Mui Hoong (1 April 1995). "99 officers receive promotions this year". The Straits Times. p. 27. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
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  18. ^ "99 pegawai pentadbir naik pangkat" [99 administrative officers promoted]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 1 April 1995. p. 2. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  19. ^ Chua, Mui Hoong (1 April 1995). "Admin Service high-flyer scales benchmark grade before 32". The Straits Times. p. 31. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  20. ^ "'97 growth figures: No revision to MTI forecast". The Business Times. 17 April 1997. p. 2. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  21. ^ "Not on the list but... these men and women could be on the way up". The Straits Times. 26 April 1998. p. 37. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  22. ^ Ong, Catherine (14 May 1999). "High flier, 35, tipped as head of new IT board". The Business Times. p. 4. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  23. ^ Ng, Irene (2 June 1999). "Yong Ying-I to head new IT stat board". The Straits Times. p. 2. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  24. ^ "Setiausaha BG Lee kini ketua badan berkanun baru" [Secretary of BG Lee now head of new statutory body]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 3 June 1999. p. 10. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  25. ^ "Infocom players will get helping hand". The Straits Times. 7 October 1999. p. 62. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  26. ^ Chng, Grace (1 December 1999). "NO time to waste!". The Straits Times. p. 1. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  27. ^ Chellam, Raju (1 December 1999). "IDA aims to make S'pore infocomm hub". The Business Times. p. 13. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  28. ^ Ong, Catherine (3 December 1999). "Young, focused, cool—and occupying a real hot seat". The Business Times. p. 2. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  29. ^ Toh, Han Shih (21 January 2000). "S'pore companies must adopt e-commerce: IDA". The Business Times. p. 10. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  30. ^ Chai, Winston (5 December 2007). "Yong Ying-I takes over as IDA chairman in reshuffle". The Business Times. p. 13. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  31. ^ "Female equation". Today. 21 December 2001. p. 2. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
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  33. ^ "Woman No 13". Today. 9 January 2002. p. 6. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  34. ^ "Yong Ying-I joins human capital sub-committee". The Business Times. 9 January 2002. p. 8. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  35. ^ Lee, Ching Wern (16 August 2003). "New plan for jobs". Today. p. 4. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  36. ^ Teo, Laurel (16 August 2003). "New agency to find jobs just for S'poreans". The Straits Times. p. 12. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  37. ^ Chuang, Peck Ming (13 September 2003). "First task is to reduce jobless rate: WDA". The Business Times. p. 8. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  38. ^ Chia, Sue-Ann; Lee, Rebecca (13 September 2003). "Agency acts to get jobless back to work". The Straits Times. p. 1. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  39. ^ "New public sector appointments from July". Today. 12 May 2005. p. 8. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  40. ^ Tan, Judith (15 February 2006). "First postgrad school for allied health workers". The Straits Times. p. 9. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  41. ^ "SGH postgrad school for health workers". The New Paper. 15 February 2006. p. 15. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  42. ^ "Singapore and Dubai sign MOU to promote closer cooperation in healthcare". CNA. 11 January 2007.
  43. ^ Chen, Huifen (3 February 2007). "Govt wants common IT standards for healthcare sector". The Business Times. p. 8. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  44. ^ "Tan Pheng Hock takes over as WDA chairman". CNA. 30 August 2007.
  45. ^ "ST Engg CEO is new WDA chairman". The Business Times. 31 August 2007. p. 13. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  46. ^ Tham, Irene (5 December 2007). "IDA names Yong Ying-I as board chairman". The Straits Times. p. 55. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  47. ^ Toh, Elgin (4 October 2011). "Permanent secretaries swop MND and MHA jobs". The Straits Times. p. 6. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  48. ^ "Changes in permanent secretary posts from April". The New Paper. 2 March 2012. pp. 8–9. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  49. ^ Phua, Mei Pin (2 March 2012). "New portfolios for five women permanent secretaries". The Straits Times. p. 2. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  50. ^ Tan, Rebecca Lynne (30 November 2015). "Infocomm Development Authority gets new chairman". The Straits Times. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  51. ^ Au-Yong, Rachel (5 March 2019). "Several ministries to get new permanent secretaries from April 1". The Straits Times. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  52. ^ Yang, Calvin (1 June 2021). "Yong Ying-I to become CPF chairman on July 1". The Straits Times. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  53. ^ "新电信委任杨颖仪 为非执行独立董事" [Singtel appoints Yong Ying-I as non-executive independent director]. Lianhe Zaobao (in Chinese). 16 November 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  54. ^ Lin, Cheryl (25 February 2022). "Public Service Division announces new permanent secretary appointments, retirements from Apr 1". CNA. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  55. ^ "PMO | Recipients". PMO. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  56. ^ "Untitled". The Straits Times. 9 August 2005. p. 9. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  57. ^ "PMO | Recipients". PMO. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  58. ^ "Those honoured this year". The Straits Times. 9 August 1997. p. 36. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
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