PUB to get new chief executive with appointment of former SkillsFuture chief Ong Tze-Ch’in
The incumbent, Goh Si Hou, who was Chief of Army before his PUB appointment, will take on another "senior leadership role" in the public service.
Ong Tze-Ch’in (left), Deputy Secretary (Resilience) at the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment, will take over as chief executive of PUB from Goh Si Hou. (Photos: MSE)
SINGAPORE: A new chief executive will take charge of the national water agency PUB, less than one year and four months after the appointment of the incumbent.
Mr Ong Tze-Ch’in will take over from Mr Goh Si Hou on Nov 1, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) announced on Tuesday (Sep 19).
Mr Ong, 48, will continue in his current position as Deputy Secretary (Resilience) in MSE after Nov 1.
Mr Goh, 45, was appointed PUB chief executive on Jul 22 last year, his first job after stepping down as Chief of Army in March. He will take on another senior leadership role in the public service, said MSE, which did not specify the role.
INCOMING CHIEF EXECUTIVE
In his current role as Deputy Secretary (Resilience) in MSE, Mr Ong oversees water and food policies, international relations, communications and engagement and emergency planning.
Before this, he was chief executive of SkillsFuture Singapore and concurrent Deputy Secretary (SkillsFuture) in the Ministry of Education.
He also held military positions, serving as director of military intelligence/chief C4I and commander of the 3rd Singapore Division in the Singapore Armed Forces.
He holds a master's degree in business administration from INSEAD (2010), as well as in defence studies from King’s College London (2006). He graduated from Stanford University in 1998 with a master's and bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
OUTGOING CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Under Mr Goh’s leadership, PUB set out long-term strategies to strengthen Singapore’s water security and climate resilience, said MSE.
He led the agency in the development of the Water Masterplan, which charted out the long-term infrastructure plans to ensure the country’s water security.
These include the “significant expansion” of Singapore’s water reclamation and NEWater capacity as a sustainable water source.
“PUB also achieved progress in major infrastructure projects, including the completion of tunnelling works for DTSS (Deep Tunnel Sewerage System) and the redevelopment of Kranji Water Reclamation Plant,” MSE added.
The agency stepped up partnership with the community and industry to strengthen water conservation to move towards sustainable growth in long-term water demand.
It introduced new measures such as mandatory water recycling for water-intensive sectors and enhanced water efficiency funding.
The ministry expressed its “deep appreciation to Mr Goh for his leadership and invaluable contributions to PUB and the MSE family”.
“He brought together coastal protection with PUB’s stormwater management function to drive integrated planning, modelling and solutioning to our flood risks,” MSE said.
“Together, these serve to strengthen Singapore’s resilience against rising sea levels and extreme rainfall amidst climate change.”
As head of PUB, Mr Goh also put in place the agency’s sustainability drive to reduce energy use, treatment waste, and carbon emissions over the long term.
“These thrusts to expand water resources, manage demand growth and green PUB’s operations will Singapore towards a sustainable water future,” MSE said.
In addition, PUB advanced its new mandate as the national coastal protection agency during Mr Goh’s tenure.
He oversaw the development of policies and plans to set the foundation of long-term coastal protection work, the launch of public consultations and the establishment of a new research programme in coastal protection and flood management.
