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Andrew Chew

In this Chinese name, the family name is Chew.
Andrew Chew Guan Khuan
DUNU DUBC PJG PPA(E)
Chew in 2009
Chairman of the Public Service Commission
In office
1 August 1998 (1998-08-01) – 1 August 2008 (2008-08-01)
Preceded byLee Hee Seng
Succeeded byEddie Teo
Chairman of the Central Provident Fund Board
In office
1 August 1994 (1994-08-01) – 1 August 1998 (1998-08-01)
Preceded byLim Siong Guan
Succeeded byNgiam Tong Dow
Head of the Singapore Civil Service
In office
5 September 1984 (1984-09-05) – 11 October 1994 (1994-10-11)
Preceded bySim Kee Boon
Succeeded byLee Ek Tieng
Personal details
Born(1929-10-11)11 October 1929
Kuching, Raj of Sarawak
Died29 February 2012(2012-02-29) (aged 82)
National University Hospital, Singapore
SpouseJennifer Kam Thong Ho
Children2
Alma materUniversity of Malaya in Singapore (MBBS)
St. Andrew's School
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese週元管
Simplified Chinese周元管
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhōu Yuánguǎn
IPA[ʈʂóʊ.yǎn.kwàn]

Andrew Chew Guan Khuan DUNU DUBC PJG PPA(E) (11 October 1929 – 29 February 2012) was a Singaporean physician, former head of the Singapore Civil Service (1984–1994) and former chairman of the Public Service Commission (1998–2008).[1][2]

An Eisenhower Fellow, Chew also served as chairman of Yaohan Singapore, Singapore Biotech Pte Ltd and the Central Provident Fund.[3][4][5][6]

Early life and education

[edit]

On 11 October 1929, Chew was born in Kuching, Raj of Sarawak. In 1930, his family moved to Singapore, and lived along Jalan Tanah Puteh, located in Bedok. Chew was the eldest, and he had a brother and six sisters. His father worked in the Chartered Bank of Singapore, and his mother was a homemaker.[7]

Chew received his early education at St. Andrew's School.[8][9] When the Japanese occupation of Singapore occurred, Chew's family moved several times and Chew briefly attended Monk's Hill Secondary School.[7] Eventually, Chew went back to study at St. Andrew's, and in 1947, he graduated with a Senior Cambridge.[10][11]

Upon graduation, Chew applied to study medicine at the University of Malaya in Singapore. In 1950, Chew passed the preliminary examination, and in 1955, he graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.[12][13][14][15] Chew was an avid rugby player in university, and he represent the faculty of medicine during inter-faculty and inter-college games.[16][17][18][19]

Medical career

[edit]

At the age of 27, Chew joined the Singapore Civil Service as a medical officer in the Ministry of Health. Under the guidance of Gordon Arthur Ransome, Chew began his career in the General Hospital (GH). In 1959, Chew was sent to London to attend a course leading to a Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom.[20]

After returning from London in 1960, Chew was transferred to Thomson General Hospital, serving as its senior registrar.[20] In 1964, he was promoted to medical superintendent and transferred to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.[21] Later, he was transferred to Kandang Kerbau Hospital in 1967, and SGH in 1970.[22]

On 12 November 1971, Chew was promoted as deputy director of medical services, the second highest position in the service.[23][24][25] Shortly after, in January 1972, Chew announced that the ministry is considering a scheme to make specialists treatments more accessible.[26][27] To prevent overcrowding at GH and underutilisation of other hospitals, Chew announced a scheme in January 1975 to divide Singapore into four zones, demarcated according to each zone's hospital resources and population size.[28][29][30] After the implementation, fewer patients were treated at GH.[31][32] Chew elaborated during the announcement:

The new scheme is aimed at rationalising the hospital services so that patients' load can be equally shared among the various regional hospitals. All the basic medical services provided will be of equal standard.
Among the factors taken into account in determining the zones were the number of hospital beds available and the size of population in each zone. This is to ensure that there would be no overcrowding or underutilisation. Bus routes were also considered to ensure the medical institutions are accessible within each area.
At the same time, in each zone the outpatient departments and maternal and child health clinics providing "primary medical care" form a ring round the regional hospital.[28][29]

In 1978, Chew was appointed as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and promoted to director of medical services.[33][34][35] In July 1978, a group of 70 medical students requested for a meeting with Chew, after the bond for first year medical scholars increased to S$81,000.[36] Minister for Health Toh Chin Chye and Chew agreed to meet with the students to "listen and clarify any queries",[37][38][39] but the students could not reach a collective decision on bond signing.[40][41] As such, Chew and the ministry decided to postpone the mandatory bond signing by the medical students, and reviewed its policy.[42][43]

In December 1979, medical officers in government hospitals urged for improvement to their employment terms and salary.[44][45] Due to a shortage in manpower, many of the doctors find themselves working 60 to 80 hours per week, compared to other civil servants who work a normal 44-hour week.[46] As such, in April 1980, Chew called upon retired doctors to work part time,[47][48] and in May 1980, allowance was increased for doctors, dentists, specialists and registrars.[49][50][51]

In August 1982, Chew was appointed as chairman of Yaohan Singapore.[4][52] In September 1983, Chew was also appointed as chairman of Singapore Biotech Pte Ltd. The company was established by the government to produce hepatitis B vaccines, under licence from Merck, Sharp and Dohme, for local usage and export to ASEAN and other countries such as Hong Kong.[5][53][54] The S$5 million plant was capable of producing six million doses of the vaccine.[55][56]

Post-medical career

[edit]

In February 1984, Chew left the Ministry of Health to assume three new portfolios. He became the deputy head of the Singapore Civil Service, second permanent secretary of the public service division in the Ministry of Finance, and permanent secretary for special duties in the Prime Minister's Office.[57][58]

On 5 September 1984, Chew succeeded Sim Kee Boon as head of the civil service, while continuing his other two portfolios.[59][60] On 15 May 1985, Chew was part of the delegation that flew on the inaugural flight to Beijing via Shanghai, operated by Singapore Airlines.[61][62][63] On 30 September 1986, Chew officially opened a S$14 million clubhouse for civil servants, located along Tessensohn Road in Kallang.[64] In 1988, Chew was also part of the initial board of governors for the Institute of Policy Studies.[65]

On 1 August 1994, Chew was appointed as chairman of the Central Provident Fund.[6] After more than 10 years serving as its head, Chew retired from the civil service on 11 October 1994.[66][67][68] Chew was appointed as a director of Centrepoint Properties Ltd in November 1994 and Overseas Union Bank in January 1997.[69][70]

On 17 October 1997, Chew was appointed as a member of the Public Service Commission (PSC), and on 1 August 1998, Chew succeeded Lee Hee Seng as chairman of PSC.[71][72] On 1 August 2008, Chew retired and was replaced by Eddie Teo.[73][74]

Personal life

[edit]

Chew was married Jennifer Kam Thong Ho, and they have a daughter and son.[1][20]

In 2012, Chew underwent a cardiac valve surgery at the National University Hospital, but suffered from postoperative complications.[20] On 29 February 2012, Chew died of a heart failure.[1][2]

Awards and decorations

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Phua, Mei Pin (1 March 2012). "Ex-head of civil service dies". The Straits Times. p. 4. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b 杨, 丹旭 (1 March 2012). "公共服务委员会前主席 周元管医生 昨凌晨去世" [Former chairman of the Public Service Commission Dr. Chew Guan Khuan died yesterday in the early morning]. Lianhe Zaobao (in Chinese). p. 6. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  3. ^ "Tong Dow selected for Eisenhower fellowship". The Straits Times. 17 March 1985. p. 13. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Dr Chew to be new Yaohan chairman". The Straits Times. 9 July 1982. p. 15. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  5. ^ a b Tan, Beng (5 September 1983). "Singapore to make its own vaccine for hepatitis B". The Straits Times. p. 8. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Dr Andrew Chew to be CPF Board chairman". The Straits Times. 23 July 1994. p. 3. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  7. ^ a b Chew, Andrew (24 April 1995). "Oral History Interview". nas.gov.sg. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  8. ^ "School joy". New Nation. 15 September 1978. p. 3. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
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  19. ^ Frank, Ken (23 January 1952). "North Beat South In Varsity Rugby". Singapore Tiger Standard. p. 12. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  20. ^ a b c d Chee, Yam Cheng; Chew, Chin Hin (15 April 2012). "Dr Andrew Chew Guan Khuan (1929 – 2012)" (PDF). Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore. 41 (4): 182–183. doi:10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.V41N4p182.
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  23. ^ "Dr Chew is now No 2 in the medical service". The Straits Times. 13 November 1971. p. 4. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
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  33. ^ Lee, Kim Chew (28 May 1978). "MOVED UP: SEVEN PERM SECS". The Straits Times. p. 6. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  34. ^ "7 Setiausaha Tetap dinaikkan gaji". Berita Harian (in Malay). 25 May 1978. p. 8. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  35. ^ "Tributes to Prof Ransome at memorial service". The Straits Times. 21 July 1978. p. 11. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  36. ^ Ooi, Teresa (23 July 1978). "Bigger bond for first year medical scholars". New Nation. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  37. ^ Cheong, Sheila (24 July 1978). "Meeting to clarify queries on bond today". The Straits Times. p. 13. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  38. ^ "Kementerian sedia temui pelajar: Toh" [Ministry prepared to meet students: Toh]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 24 July 1978. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  39. ^ "Students wait to meet Dr Chew on bond issue..." New Nation. 24 July 1978. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  40. ^ Cheong, Sheila; Tan, June (25 July 1978). "Students fail to reach decision on bond signing". The Straits Times. p. 9. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  41. ^ Ooi, Teresa; Chew, Jane (25 July 1978). "Bond: 64 won't sign". New Nation. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  42. ^ Yaakub Rashid (26 July 1978). "Kementerian tangguh pelaksanaan bond". Berita Harian (in Malay). p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  43. ^ "Student views on bond under study by ministry". The Straits Times. 29 July 1978. p. 13. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  44. ^ "Govt doctors say most won't benefit from new deal". The Straits Times. 22 December 1979. p. 11. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  45. ^ "Doctors seek revision of night duty payment". The Straits Times. 24 December 1979. p. 9. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  46. ^ Tan, Beng (15 February 1980). "No solution in sight to doctors' night duty grievance". The Straits Times. p. 15. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  47. ^ Liau, Julie (14 April 1980). "Where are you, docs?". New Nation. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  48. ^ "Retired doctors urged to work part-time". The Straits Times. 15 April 1980. p. 9. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
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  51. ^ "Tambah elauns tinggi utk doktor disaran" [Higher allowance for doctors is recommended]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 3 May 1980. p. 8. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
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  59. ^ "Kee Boon retires from civil service". The Straits Times. 5 September 1984. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  60. ^ "Andrew Chew is new Head of Civil Service from today". The Business Times. 5 September 1984. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  61. ^ Toh, Su Fen (15 May 1985). "First two flights to Beijing fully booked". Singapore Monitor. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  62. ^ "Some 200 take SIA's inaugural flight to China". The Business Times. 16 May 1985. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
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  64. ^ Tan, Shirley (1 October 1986). "$14m clubhouse opens for civil servants". The Straits Times. p. 15. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  65. ^ Henson, Bertha (16 January 1988). "Think tank set up in S'pore". The Straits Times. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  66. ^ "Andrew Chew to retire as head of civil service". The Straits Times. 23 April 1994. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
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  68. ^ "Civil service chief looks back". The Straits Times. 22 August 1994. p. 26. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  69. ^ "Andrew Chew joins Centrepoint board". The Business Times. 2 November 1994. p. 14. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  70. ^ "OUB names director". The Straits Times. 4 January 1997. p. 47. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  71. ^ "Dr Chew dilantik anggota PSC" [Dr Chew appointed as member of PSC]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 18 October 1997. p. 17. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  72. ^ "Dr Chew to head PSC". The Straits Times. 11 April 1998. p. 4. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  73. ^ "PSC chief retires after leading it for 10 years". The Straits Times. 27 July 2008. p. 14. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
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  76. ^ "PMO | Recipients". Prime Minister's Office. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
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  78. ^ "Top honours go to ex-minister, ex-civil servant". The Straits Times. 9 August 2002. p. 18. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  79. ^ "Dr Yeo, Dr Chew terima pingat tertinggi negara" [Dr Yeo, Dr Chew receive country's highest medal]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 9 August 2002. p. 1. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  80. ^ "周元管医生： 我心存感激" [Dr. Chew Guan Khuan: I am grateful]. Lianhe Zaobao (in Chinese). 9 August 2002. p. 6. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
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  84. ^ "贡献良多受赞赏 2782人获颁 国庆奖章 周元管医生潘受名列榜首" [2,782 people received National Day medals for their contributions. Top medals were awarded to Dr. Chew Guan Khuan and calligrapher Pan Shou.]. Shin Min Daily News (in Chinese). 9 August 1994. p. 2. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
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