# Change of Chairman of the HDB Board

- **Source:** Ministry of National Development
- **Published:** 2016-09-30T09:07:00.000Z
- **Author:** Ministry of National Development
- **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/change-of-chairman-of-the-hdb-board
- **Topics:** HDB & Public Housing

## Featured rationale

The leadership transition may preserve continuity in policies supporting affordable public housing, supply management and the rejuvenation of new and existing towns.

## AI summary

Bobby Chin Yoke Choong succeeded James Koh Cher Siang as HDB Board Chairman on 1 October 2016 after serving as Deputy Chairman.

## Original article

Mr James Koh Cher Siang will be retiring as Chairman of the Housing & Development Board (HDB) on 30 September 2016. 

He will be succeeded by Mr Bobby Chin Yoke Choong, currently the HDB Board’s Deputy Chairman, on 1 October 2016. 

Mr James Koh, who has been Chairman since 2007, has guided HDB to achieve a stable public housing market in recent years, ensuring that HDB flats remain affordable and accessible to Singaporeans. This was achieved through a significant ramp-up in the supply of home ownership flats in recent years, giving out more housing grants, and putting in place demand-side measures to bring balance back to the public housing market. 

Under Mr Koh’s leadership, housing policies were also recalibrated to keep in step with the changing needs of Singaporeans and societal norms. For instance, in 2013, 2-room Build-to-Order flats were offered to singles for the first time, and flat offerings were broadened, with the introduction of 3-Generation flats to allow multi-generational families to live together. In 2015, 2-room Flexi flats with shorter leases were introduced to cater for the needs of the elderly. 

Mr Koh was also highly supportive of HDB’s new and innovative initiatives to deliver a better living environment, with master plans unveiled over the past few years in new areas like Bidadari and Tampines North, the development of Singapore’s first Eco-Town in Punggol, and the continuous rejuvenation of existing towns.

Within HDB, Mr Koh has guided its management in setting out the medium and long-term goals for HDB to continue to provide the best homes for the people of Singapore. He has also championed a learning culture among HDB management and staff, for example, by introducing the Learning Circle as a platform for management to share and learn together. 

During Mr Koh’s chairmanship, quality and excellence remained the hallmarks of Singapore’s public housing, which has been recognised globally for its architectural and engineering achievements.

Reflecting on his chairmanship, Mr James Koh said, “It has been a privilege to have served on the HDB Board for the past 11 years, and to have played a part in HDB’s transformation during this time. Looking back, I am heartened by how much the quality and design of HDB flats have improved over the years. I thank HDB staff for their dedication and hard work. I have no doubt that HDB will continue to play a key role in our nation’s development, and to provide quality homes for Singaporeans.”

Mr Bobby Chin Yoke Choong, who will take over as the new Chairman of the HDB Board, is currently the Chairman of NTUC Fairprice Co-operative Ltd. He also serves as a member of the Council of Presidential Advisers. He was the Chairman of the Urban Redevelopment Authority from 2001 to 2006, and prior to that, served as its board member from 1997 to 2001. He has been active in the Singapore’s corporate and public service scenes.

Mr Chin said, “I would like to take the opportunity to express, on behalf of everyone in HDB, our heartfelt appreciation to Mr James Koh for his leadership on the HDB Board in the past 11 years. I look forward to working alongside HDB’s executive team and the Board, and build on HDB’s strong foundation as a leading public housing authority.”

The Ministry of National Development and Housing & Development Board wish to thank Mr James Koh Cher Siang for his invaluable contributions over the years.

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 建屋发展局董事会主席人事变动

许赐祥先生将于2016年9月30日卸任建屋发展局（HDB）董事会主席。

现任建屋发展局董事会副主席陈毓川先生将于2016年10月1日接任。

许赐祥先生自2007年起担任主席，近年引导建屋发展局实现稳定的公共住屋市场，确保组屋对新加坡人保持可负担且可获得。这得益于近年来显著增加自住型组屋供应、发放更多住房津贴，以及实施需求端措施，使公共住屋市场重回平衡。

在许先生的领导下，住房政策亦根据新加坡人不断变化的需求与社会规范作出调整。例如，2013年首次向单身人士推出两房式预购组屋（BTO），并拓宽组屋户型，推出三代同堂组屋，以便多代家庭同住。2015年推出租约较短的两房式灵活组屋（2-room Flexi），以照顾乐龄人士的需求。

许先生亦大力支持建屋发展局推出新的创新举措，以打造更优质的居住环境，包括过去数年在碧达达利和淡滨尼北等新区公布的总体规划、榜鹅新加坡首个生态镇的发展，以及对现有市镇的持续更新。

在建屋发展局内部，许先生引导管理层制定中长期目标，使建屋发展局继续为新加坡人民提供最佳住家。他也倡导在建屋发展局管理层与员工中建立学习文化，例如推出“学习圈”作为管理层共同分享与学习的平台。

在许先生担任主席期间，品质与卓越始终是新加坡公共住屋的标志，其建筑与工程成就亦获得全球认可。

回顾其主席任期，许赐祥先生表示：“过去11年在建屋发展局董事会服务、并参与建屋发展局在此期间的转型，是我的荣幸。回首过去，我对组屋品质与设计多年来的显著提升深感欣慰。我感谢建屋发展局员工的奉献与辛勤工作。我毫不怀疑，建屋发展局将继续在国家发展中发挥关键作用，并为新加坡人提供优质住家。”

即将接任建屋发展局董事会主席的陈毓川先生，现任职总英康合作社有限公司主席。他亦担任总统顾问理事会成员。他于2001年至2006年担任市区重建局主席，此前于1997年至2001年担任该局董事会成员。他在新加坡企业界与公共服务领域相当活跃。

陈先生表示：“我想借此机会，代表建屋发展局全体人员，衷心感谢许赐祥先生过去11年在建屋发展局董事会的领导。我期待与建屋发展局的执行团队及董事会并肩合作，在建屋发展局作为领先公共住屋机构的坚实基础上再接再厉。”

国家发展部与建屋发展局谨此感谢许赐祥先生多年来的宝贵贡献。