Yong Ying-I

{{Family name hatnote|Yong|lang=Chinese}}{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Yong Ying-I

| honorific_suffix = PPA(E) PPA(P) PBS

| office2 = Chairman of the Central Provident Fund Board

| predecessor2 = Chiang Chie Foo

| birth_date = {{bya|1964}}

| birth_place = Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

| alma_mater = Harvard Business School (MBA)
University of Cambridge (BA)

| module = {{Infobox Chinese

| child= yes

| hide= yes

| c =

| t = 楊穎儀

| s = 杨颖仪

| p = Yáng Yǐngyí

| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|yang|2|.|ying|3|.|yi|2}}

}}

| termstart2 = {{Start date|2021|07|01|df=y}}

}}

Yong Ying-I {{Post-nominals|country=||list=PPA(E) PPA(P) PBS}} (born {{circa}} 1964) is a Singaporean economist and civil servant, who became the youngest officer in 1995 to reach superscale G in the Singapore Civil Service.

She was also the second female permanent secretary in Singapore, serving in the Ministry of Manpower (2002–2005), Ministry of Health (2005–2012), National Research Foundation (2011–2019), Public Service Division (2012–2019) and Ministry of Communications and Information (2019–2022).

Yong served as chairman of the Infocomm and Development Agency (2007–2015), Civil Service College (2011–2015).{{Cite news |date=2013-09-27 |title=Civil Service College has 7 new board directors |work=CNA}}{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=U-Wen |date=2013-09-28 |title=Seven new faces to join CSC board |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes20130928-1.2.16.5 |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=The Business Times |pages=16}} She also served as a director of Sembcorp (2003–2010) and Singtel (2022–present).{{Cite news |date=2003-05-27 |title=Yong Ying-I joins SembCorp board |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes20030527-1.2.15.8.12 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Business Times |pages=6}}{{Cite news |date=2003-05-27 |title=YONG YING-I NAMED SCI DIRECTOR |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20030527-1.2.80.32.32.3 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=15}}{{Cite news |last=Howie |first=Geff |date=2024-12-08 |title=Marco Polo Marine directors boost shareholding |url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/marco-polo-marine-directors-boost-shareholding |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=The Business Times}}

Yong is the incumbent chairman of the Central Provident Fund.

Early life and education

In 1964, Yong was born in Kuala Lumpur, and she was the only child.{{Cite news |date=2004-06-11 |title=My finest hour? And the CJ's verdict is... |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20040611-1.2.35.19 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=8}} Her father, Yong Pung How, was an advocate, solicitor and later Chief Justice of Singapore. In the late 1960s, as the medium of instruction in Malaysian schools were switching to Malay, Yong's parents were disinclined for her to study in Malaysia. As such, her family migrated to Singapore in 1969.{{Cite news |last=Lum |first=Selina |date=2020-01-10 |title=Singapore's former chief justice Yong Pung How dies, aged 93 |url=https://str.sg/JqfH |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times}}{{Cite news |last=Lum |first=Selina |date=2021-04-08 |title=Former chief justice Yong Pung How sought to give back to Singapore, says daughter |url=https://str.sg/JCyV |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=The Straits Times}} Yong attended Hwa Chong Junior College.{{Cite news |date=1981-04-23 |title=Netball champs |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newnation19810423-1.2.59.17 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=New Nation |pages=27}}{{Cite news |last=Durai |first=Jennani |date=2011-09-23 |title=Briton says bye after 32 years at Hwa Chong |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20110923-1.2.42.11 |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=The Straits Times |pages=7}}

In June 1985, under an overseas scholarship awarded by the Public Service Commission, Yong sat for a tripos and graduated from the University of Cambridge with first class honours, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in economics.{{Cite news |date=1985-06-28 |title=Eight score first class honours at Cambridge |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19850628-1.2.3 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=1}} In 1990, Yong graduated from Harvard Business School with a Master of Business Administration.{{Cite news |date=1993-08-09 |title=FOR THE TOP |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19930809-1.2.124.6 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=5}}

Career

Upon graduation, Yong returned to Singapore and began her career in the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), eventually rising to the position of assistant director.{{Cite news |last=Teo |first=Anna |date=1991-01-15 |title=Top economist job goes a-begging |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19910115-1.2.32.2 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Business Times |pages=11}} In 1992, an article was published in the Far Eastern Economic Review, reporting about comments made by Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew regarding Singapore's economic growth. The ministry claimed that the article misreported Lee, and in response to the article, Yong clarified that the economic growth in Singapore is not reliant on a "frenetic stock exchange" as major foreign and multinational companies are not listed on the Stock Exchange of Singapore.{{Cite news |last=Seow |first=Shaun |date=1992-09-15 |title=S'pore's growth does not rely on a frenetic stock exchange' |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19920915-1.2.55.46 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=39}}

In 1993, Yong was promoted to director in MTI.{{Cite news |date=1994-04-24 |title=Defence Perm Sec, EDB head make Staff Grade |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19940424-1.2.33.6 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=22}} In 1995, at the age of 31, Yong was the youngest officer to reach superscale G grade in the administrative division of the Singapore Civil Service.{{Cite news |last=Chua |first=Mui Hoong |date=1995-04-01 |title=99 officers receive promotions this year |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19950401-1.2.36.7 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=27}}{{Cite news |date=1995-04-01 |title=Sixty Administrative Service officers promoted |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19950401-1.2.10.2 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Business Times |pages=2}}{{Cite news |date=1995-04-01 |title=99 pegawai pentadbir naik pangkat |trans-title=99 administrative officers promoted |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/beritaharian19950401-1.2.11.6 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=Berita Harian |pages=2 |language=ms}} In an interview to The Straits Times, Yong elaborated:

{{Quote|text=I thought I had a good chance. I do think a certain part of it was due to the changes in personnel management as well — I'm lucky, because I was in the right place at the right time, at the right age!
I think the key factor was that I had been doing a superscale job in MTI. I owe that appointment to my Permanent Secretary at MTI Lam Chuan Leong who took the risk and entrusted the directorship to me at a time when I was still an assistant secretary. At 29, I must have been the most junior director in the whole of government!{{Cite news |last=Chua |first=Mui Hoong |date=1995-04-01 |title=Admin Service high-flyer scales benchmark grade before 32 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19950401-1.2.42.4 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=31}}}}

In 1997, Yong was transferred to become a principal private secretary for Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.{{Cite news |date=1997-04-17 |title='97 growth figures: No revision to MTI forecast |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19970417-1.2.10.8 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Business Times |pages=2}}{{Cite news |date=1998-04-26 |title=Not on the list but... these men and women could be on the way up |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19980426-1.2.52.4.1 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=37}} In 1999, Yong was appointed as chief executive officer of the IT and Telecommunications Authority, a newly-established statutory board under the Ministry of Communications.{{Cite news |last=Ong |first=Catherine |date=1999-05-14 |title=High flier, 35, tipped as head of new IT board |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19990514-1.2.13.2 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Business Times |pages=4}}{{Cite news |last=Ng |first=Irene |date=1999-06-02 |title=Yong Ying-I to head new IT stat board |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19990602-1.2.7.3 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=2}}{{Cite news |date=1999-06-03 |title=Setiausaha BG Lee kini ketua badan berkanun baru |trans-title=Secretary of BG Lee now head of new statutory body |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/beritaharian19990603-1.2.18.3 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=Berita Harian |pages=10 |language=ms}} The statutory board was later renamed as the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA). Upon the establishment, Yong announced plans promote the growth and development of infocommunications in Singapore, and reassured industry stakeholders that there will be liberalisation and support provided.{{Cite news |date=1999-10-07 |title=Infocom players will get helping hand |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19991007-1.2.76.49 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=62}}{{Cite news |last=Chng |first=Grace |date=1999-12-01 |title=NO time to waste! |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19991201-1.2.165.2 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=1}} Yong also said the board's aim was to transform Singapore into the "largest information and communications hub" within Asia.{{Cite news |last=Chellam |first=Raju |date=1999-12-01 |title=IDA aims to make S'pore infocomm hub |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19991201-1.2.21.5 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Business Times |pages=13}}{{Cite news |last=Ong |first=Catherine |date=1999-12-03 |title=Young, focused, cool—and occupying a real hot seat |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19991203-1.2.7.2 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Business Times |pages=2}} In 2000, Yong urged for local companies to regionalise and globalise through e-commerce, and hoped that Singapore will become the target for the Asian market.{{Cite news |last=Toh |first=Han Shih |date=2000-01-21 |title=S'pore companies must adopt e-commerce: IDA |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes20000121-1.2.21.2 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Business Times |pages=10}} She stepped down as chief executive in 2001.{{Cite news |last=Chai |first=Winston |date=2007-12-05 |title=Yong Ying-I takes over as IDA chairman in reshuffle |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes20071205-1.2.17.5 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Business Times |pages=13}}

On 1 January 2002, Yong was the second woman to be appointed as permanent secretary for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), replacing Tan Chin Nam.{{Cite news |date=2001-12-21 |title=Female equation |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/today20011221-2.2.5.2 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=Today |pages=2}}{{Cite news |date=2001-12-21 |title=PMO umum pertukaran jawatan utama sektor awam |trans-title=PMO announces changes to key public sector positions |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/beritaharian20011221-1.2.4 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=Berita Harian |pages=1 |language=ms}} Shortly after, on 9 January, Yong was also appointed to the Economic Review Committee, chaired by Minister of State Ng Eng Hen.{{Cite news |date=2002-01-09 |title=Woman No 13 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/today20020109-1.2.13.4 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=Today |pages=6}}{{Cite news |date=2002-01-09 |title=Yong Ying-I joins human capital sub-committee |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes20020109-1.2.19.4 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Business Times |pages=8}} In September 2003, Yong was the founding chairman of the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), a newly-established statutory board under MOM to promote continuing education and professional training for workers.{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Ching Wern |date=2003-08-16 |title=New plan for jobs |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/today20030816-1.2.6.6 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=Today |pages=4}}{{Cite news |last=Teo |first=Laurel |date=2003-08-16 |title=New agency to find jobs just for S'poreans |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20030816-1.2.38.16.1 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=12}} In her first press conference, Yong pledged that the agency will tackle the immediate problem of unemployment, aiming to assist more than 85,100 unemployed workers within a year.{{Cite news |last=Chuang |first=Peck Ming |date=2003-09-13 |title=First task is to reduce jobless rate: WDA |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes20030913-1.2.17.3 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Business Times |pages=8}}{{Cite news |last=Chia |first=Sue-Ann |last2=Lee |first2=Rebecca |date=2003-09-13 |title=Agency acts to get jobless back to work |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20030913-1.2.2 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=1}}

On 1 July 2005, Yong was transferred to the Ministry of Health, serving as its permanent secretary.{{Cite news |date=2005-05-12 |title=New public sector appointments from July |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/today20050512-1.2.14.2 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=Today |pages=8}} On 15 February 2006, Yong officially launched the first postgraduate school for allied healthcare workers in Singapore, established by the Singapore General Hospital.{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Judith |date=2006-02-15 |title=First postgrad school for allied health workers |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20060215-1.2.64.13 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=9}}{{Cite news |date=2006-02-15 |title=SGH postgrad school for health workers |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper20060215-1.2.11.3.5 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The New Paper |pages=15}} In January 2007, to foster closer cooperation in healthcare, Yong signed a memorandum of understanding with her Dubai counterpart, Qadhi Saeed Almurooshid.{{Cite news |date=2007-01-11 |title=Singapore and Dubai sign MOU to promote closer cooperation in healthcare |work=CNA}} In February 2007, Yong also announced plans to set up standards for healthcare IT infrastructure nationwide, ensuring patient data to be standardised and easily shared between all public and private healthcare providers.{{Cite news |last=Chen |first=Huifen |date=2007-02-03 |title=Govt wants common IT standards for healthcare sector |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes20070203-1.2.18.1 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Business Times |pages=8}}

On 31 August 2007, Yong stepped down as chairman of WDA. She was succeeded by her deputy chairman, Tan Pheng Hock.{{Cite news |date=2007-08-30 |title=Tan Pheng Hock takes over as WDA chairman |work=CNA}}{{Cite news |date=2007-08-31 |title=ST Engg CEO is new WDA chairman |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes20070831-1.2.19.4 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Business Times |pages=13}} In December 2007, Yong was appointed as chairman of IDA, replacing Lam Chuan Leong.{{Cite news |last=Tham |first=Irene |date=2007-12-05 |title=IDA names Yong Ying-I as board chairman |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20071205-1.2.70.21.8 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=55}}

In November 2011, Yong was appointed as permanent secretary for national research and development, while maintaining her existing portfolio.{{Cite news |last=Toh |first=Elgin |date=2011-10-04 |title=Permanent secretaries swop MND and MHA jobs |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20111004-1.2.9.8 |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=The Straits Times |pages=6}} On 1 April 2012, Yong relinquished her health portfolio and succeeded Lim Soo Hoon as permanent secretary for the public service division.{{Cite news |date=2012-03-02 |title=Changes in permanent secretary posts from April |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper20120302-1.2.3.6.2 |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=The New Paper |pages=8–9}}{{Cite news |last=Phua |first=Mei Pin |date=2012-03-02 |title=New portfolios for five women permanent secretaries |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20120302-1.2.47.4 |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=The Straits Times |pages=2}}

On 30 November 2015, Yong stepped down as chairman of IDA, with Chan Yeng Kit as her successor.{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Rebecca Lynne |date=2015-11-30 |title=Infocomm Development Authority gets new chairman |url=https://str.sg/UxJW |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=The Straits Times}}

On 1 April 2019, Yong became permanent secretary for the Ministry of Communications and Information.{{Cite news |last=Au-Yong |first=Rachel |date=2019-03-05 |title=Several ministries to get new permanent secretaries from April 1 |url=https://str.sg/oR3k |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=The Straits Times}} On 1 July 2021, Yong was appointed as chairman of the Central Provident Fund, succeeding Chiang Chie Foo.{{Cite news |last=Yang |first=Calvin |date=2021-06-01 |title=Yong Ying-I to become CPF chairman on July 1 |url=https://str.sg/3kzL |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times}}{{Cite news |date=2022-11-16 |title=新电信委任杨颖仪为非执行独立董事 |trans-title=Singtel appoints Yong Ying-I as non-executive independent director |url=https://www.zaobao.com.sg/finance/singapore/story20221116-1333626 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=Lianhe Zaobao |language=zh}} On 1 April 2022, after 36 years in the public service, Yong retired, relinquishing her permanent secretary role for MCI to Joseph Leong.{{Cite news |last=Lin |first=Cheryl |date=2022-02-25 |title=Public Service Division announces new permanent secretary appointments, retirements from Apr 1 |url=https://cnaluxury.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/public-service-division-announces-new-permanent-secretary-appointments-retirements-apr-1-226366 |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=CNA}}

Awards and decorations

80x80px Long Service Medal, in 2012.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-11-22 |title=PMO {{!}} Recipients |url=https://www.pmo.gov.sg/National-Day-Awards/Recipients?page=1&keywords=yong%20ying%20i&award=&year=2012 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=PMO |language=en}}

80x80px Public Administration Medal (Gold), in 2005.{{Cite news |date=2005-08-09 |title=Untitled |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20050809-1.2.48.19.4 |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=The Straits Times |pages=9}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-11-22 |title=PMO {{!}} Recipients |url=https://www.pmo.gov.sg/National-Day-Awards/Recipients?page=1&keywords=yong%20ying%20i&award=&year=2005 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=PMO |language=en}}

80x80px Public Administration Medal (Silver), in 1997.{{Cite news |date=1997-08-09 |title=Those honoured this year |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19970809-1.2.42.19.2 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Straits Times |pages=36}}{{Cite web |date=1997-08-09 |title=Republic of Singapore Government Gazette Extraordinary National Day Honours 1997 |url=https://www.pmo.gov.sg/-/media/PMO/National-Day-Awards/PDF-before-1998/NDA-Recipients-1997a-pdf.ashx |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=PMO}}

References

Category:1964 births

Category:Singaporean civil servants

Category:People from Kuala Lumpur

Category:Recipients of the Pingat Pentadbiran Awam

Category:Permanent secretaries of Singapore

Category:Singaporean economists

Category:Hwa Chong Junior College alumni

Category:21st-century Singaporean women scientists

Category:Alumni of the University of Cambridge

Category:Date of birth missing (living people)

Category:Harvard Business School alumni

Category:Singaporean people of Hakka descent

Category:Living people