Mr Loh Khum Yean appointed as Chairman of the National Parks Board on 1 October 2023

Mr Loh Khum Yean (罗锦贤) will be appointed as Chairman of the National Parks Board (NParks) with effect from 1 October 2023. Mr Loh will succeed Mr Benny Lim Siang Hoe (林 双 河) who will be stepping down from the NParks Board on 30 September 2023.

Mr Loh, Permanent Secretary (Public Service Division), will retire from the Administrative Service on 30 September 2023 after serving 33 years in the public service. Mr Loh has had vast experience in the public service including having held various appointments in the former Ministry of Communications, SPRING Singapore, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Manpower, Public Service Division and Ministry of Law.

Contributions of Mr Benny Lim to the NParks Board

Mr Benny Lim has served on the NParks Board as its Chairman since 2018. He presided as Chairman over a key period in NParks strategic and organisational development.

In 2019, the non-food plant and animal-related functions of the former Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) were transferred to NParks. Mr Lim helped oversee a seamless transition of the former AVA staff and functions to NParks, including the formation of a new Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) for animal-related issues. He strongly supported the development of a science and community-based approach towards animal management, including enhancing stakeholder engagement to review and strengthen animal health and welfare standards of the pet sector.  Mr Lim also supported NParks’ efforts to strengthen biosurveillance and resilience of Singapore’s animal health system by enhancing the capabilities of its animal laboratories and research in animal behaviour.

As part of efforts to transform Singapore into a “City in Nature”, Mr Lim firmly supported NParks’ investment in research and technology as well as in efforts to apply nature-based solutions to achieve climate, ecological and social resilience. Mr Lim advocated the view that a City in Nature is about a way of life, and public engagement and education would be key to making this vision a practicable and meaningful reality for Singaporeans.    

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Lim’s strong personal support and encouragement for staff welfare was greatly appreciated by NParks staff who worked tirelessly to keep our gardens, parks and nature reserves open to Singaporeans, with visitorship significantly exceeding pre-pandemic levels. 

The Ministry of National Development and NParks thank Mr Lim for his invaluable contributions during his tenure, and welcomes Mr Loh to the NParks Board.

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Jointly Issued by

Ministry of National Development and National Parks Board