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

- **Source:** Ministry of National Development
- **Published:** 2023-09-29T02:00:00.000Z
- **Author:** Ministry of National Development
- **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/mr-loh-khum-yean-appointed-as-chairman-of-the-national-parks-board-on-1-october-2023
- **Topics:** Market Updates

## Featured rationale

The leadership transition signals continuity in Singapore’s City in Nature agenda, which may support further nature-based enhancements across residential and urban environments.

## AI summary

Mr Loh Khum Yean was appointed NParks Chairman from 1 October 2023, succeeding Mr Benny Lim, who stepped down on 30 September 2023.

## Original article

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.

– End –

Jointly Issued by

Ministry of National Development and National Parks Board

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 罗锦贤先生获委任为国家公园局主席，自2023年10月1日起生效

罗锦贤先生（Loh Khum Yean）将获委任为国家公园局（NParks）主席，自2023年10月1日起生效。罗先生将接替林双河先生（Benny Lim Siang Hoe），后者将于2023年9月30日卸任国家公园局董事会职务。

罗先生现为常任秘书（公共服务署），将于2023年9月30日从行政服务退休，届时已在公共服务领域服务33年。罗先生在公共服务方面经验丰富，曾在前通讯部、SPRING Singapore、贸易与工业部、财政部、人力部、公共服务署以及律政部担任多项职务。

林双河先生对国家公园局董事会的贡献

林双河先生自2018年起担任国家公园局董事会主席。他在国家公园局战略与组织发展的关键时期主持董事会工作。

2019年，前农粮与兽医局（AVA）中与非食品植物及动物相关的职能移交至国家公园局。林先生协助监督前AVA员工与职能顺利过渡至国家公园局，包括成立新的动物与兽医服务处（AVS），处理动物相关事务。他大力支持以科学和社区为基础的动物管理方针，包括加强利益相关方参与，以检讨并强化宠物行业的动物健康与福利标准。林先生亦支持国家公园局通过提升动物实验室能力及动物行为研究，加强生物监测与新加坡动物卫生系统的韧性。

作为将新加坡转型为“花园中的城市”（City in Nature）努力的一部分，林先生坚定支持国家公园局在科研与技术方面的投入，以及应用基于自然的解决方案，以实现气候、生态与社会韧性。林先生主张“花园中的城市”关乎一种生活方式，公众参与与教育是使这一愿景对新加坡人切实可行并具有意义的关键。

在冠病疫情期间，林先生对员工福利的大力个人支持与鼓励，深受国家公园局员工赞赏；员工们不懈努力，确保我国花园、公园与自然保护区对新加坡人开放，访客量显著超过疫情前水平。

国家发展部与国家公园局感谢林先生在任期内的宝贵贡献，并欢迎罗先生加入国家公园局董事会。

– 完 –

联合发布

国家发展部与国家公园局