A question over the number of retired military officers that hold senior positions in Singapore’s Public Service has been raised in Parliament.
Parliamentarian, Gerald Giam said a retired brigadier-general, Tan Chee Wee had recently been appointed to head the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and wondered what Mr Tan’s (pictured) qualifications were for this work.
In reply, Second Permanent Secretary for Social and Family Development, Stanley Loh said Mr Tan’s extensive leadership and operational experience made him well qualified to lead the ECDA.
“His immediate task is to partner with the preschool community in the transition towards COVID-19 resilience,” Mr Loh said.
“Mr Tan will help the ECDA deliver on its commitment to improving the accessibility, affordability and quality of preschools,” he said.
However, Mr Tan’s appointment has triggered a lively online debate over the issue of ‘helicoptered’ Defence Force generals in the civilian Public Service.
“If the Government really has to do this, please start them from the bottom to gain experience and work their way up first rather than dropping them from a helicopter,” one post stated.
Mr Giam said he would persist with his questions of exactly how many retired officers with the rank of colonel and above held, or had held, senior positions in public sector organisations.
“I am concerned that they may be in these decision-making positions having never worked in a civilian organisation,” Mr Giam said.
“The sectoral knowledge and skills to run key Agencies like the ECDA take years to acquire,” he said.
Singapore, 6 October 2021
