Dinesh Vasu Dash, CEO of the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), has officially resigned after more than a year in the role.
AIC announced his departure on 27 March, stating that he had stepped down to pursue other opportunities.
According to The Straits Times, Dinesh, 49, is expected to enter politics, with Singapore’s General Election set to take place this year.
His resignation adds to a growing list of senior government officials leaving their posts, making him the seventh to do so since February.
Dinesh first joined AIC as CEO (designate) on 1 November 2023 before assuming the official CEO role in February 2024.
His successor will be Tan Chee Wee, the current CEO of the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), who is set to take over on 1 May.
In the interim, AIC’s deputy CEO, Noel Cheah, will serve as acting CEO.
Contributions at AIC and MOH
AIC, an agency under the Ministry of Health (MOH), is responsible for coordinating care services for Singapore’s elderly population.
During his tenure, Dinesh played a key role in supporting MOH’s Healthier SG and Age Well SG initiatives, strengthening collaborations in the community care sector, and broadening AIC’s role in healthcare policy formulation.
AIC also credited him with overseeing the integration of the Council for Third Age (C3A) into the agency, further solidifying its position in Singapore’s community care landscape.
Before joining AIC, Dinesh served as Group Director of the Operations Group at MOH from July 2020, where he was responsible for implementing strategic goals and overseeing Singapore’s preparedness for health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
He led efforts to execute the nationwide vaccination programme and was awarded the Public Service Star (COVID-19) for his contributions.
Dinesh had an extensive career in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) before entering the civil service, spending over 27 years in various leadership roles.
He attained the rank of Brigadier-General and previously served as Commander of the 2nd People’s Defence Force.
From 2014 to 2016, he was Director of the Ministry of Defence’s (MINDEF) Information Directorate, shaping public communication policies.
Resignation rumours and farewell message
On 25 March, Lianhe Zaobao first reported Dinesh’s planned resignation, though AIC declined to confirm the news at the time, stating only that he “continues to lead the agency.”
In a LinkedIn post, Dinesh confirmed that 28 March would be his last day at AIC, reflecting on his years in MOH and AIC as the most significant period of his career.
He expressed gratitude to AIC Chairman Gerard Ee and MOH’s leadership for their support, stating that his time in public service had been “deeply meaningful and fulfilling.”
“I have been blessed to work with many of you during the pandemic and in developing the community care sector,” he wrote, adding that he hoped to continue serving and making a positive impact.
Changes at ECDA
With Tan Chee Wee set to take over as AIC CEO, ECDA has appointed Ku Geok Boon as his successor.
Ku was previously the founding CEO of SG Enable, a key agency supporting the disability sector in Singapore.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) noted that Ku played a crucial role in expanding SG Enable’s services and establishing the Enabling Village in 2015, an inclusive community space for persons with disabilities.
She was also instrumental in forging partnerships with social service agencies, businesses, and government institutions to enhance support systems. Ku will assume her new role as ECDA CEO on 1 May.
Wave of Civil Servant Resignations ahead of GE2025
Dinesh’s departure comes amid a wave of resignations from senior civil servants.
On 25 March alone, at least four officials announced their resignation from public service.
Shawn Loh, who played a key role in overseeing Singapore’s last two national budgets, will leave the public service on 6 April.
Meanwhile, Second Permanent Secretary Jeffrey Siow from the Ministries of Manpower and Trade and Industry, Permanent Secretary for Finance Tan Ching Yee, and Goh Hanyan, a director in the Smart Nation Strategy Office, have also stepped down.
Earlier, Deputy Secretary (Policy) Jasmin Lau from the Ministry of Health and Director for Private and Future Mobility Foo Cexiang from the Ministry of Transport had also resigned.
The resignations have drawn public attention, as speculation grows over whether some of these former civil servants might enter politics ahead of the widely expected 2025 general election.
However, there has been no official confirmation regarding their political intentions.
Notably, state media CNA reported that Goh Hanyan was spotted earlier on 17 March at a Meet-the-People Session in the PAP’s Zhenghua branch, within the Holland-Bukit Timah Group Representation Constituency (GRC).
The current Member of Parliament for Zhenghua ward, Edward Chia, was himself a political newcomer in the last general election.
NMPs and senior officials step down ahead of GE2025
Beyond the latest retirements in public service sector, several high-profile figures have also stepped down recently.
On 14 February, former Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) Raj Joshua Thomas and Syed Harun Alhabsyi resigned from their roles.
Their departures marked the first time NMPs had resigned before the end of their term, sparking speculation that they intend to contest the upcoming general election.
Separately, on 25 February, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) announced that Chief of Army Major-General David Neo would be stepping down after nearly 30 years of service.
The post AIC CEO Dinesh Vasu Dash resigns, expected to enter politics ahead of GE2025 appeared first on The Online Citizen.
