Permanent Secretary Appointment (20 March 2017)

Mr Ng Chee Khern will be appointed as Permanent Secretary (Smart Nation and Digital Government), Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on 1 May 2017, to lead the new Smart Nation and Digital Government Group in PMO to be formed on 1 May 2017. He will continue concurrently as Permanent Secretary (Defence Development).

Mr Ng will also retain his appointment as Chairman of the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) Board, which will oversee GovTech’s operations and guide GovTech’s efforts in supporting Smart Nation and digital government. 

**Background**

Mr Ng Chee Khern joined the Singapore Armed Forces in 1984 on being awarded a President’s cum SAF (Overseas) Scholarship. He held various command and staff appointments in the course of his military career, including commanding a fighter squadron and as Director Joint Operations and Planning Directorate. He was the Chief of Air Force from March 2006 to December 2009 and Director, Security and Intelligence Division, Ministry of Defence from September 2010 to April 2014. Mr Ng was appointed Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) in May 2014 and was concurrently Second Permanent Secretary (Health) from August 2014 to February 2016.