Hong Leong Asia, a leading industrial conglomerate, has appointed Ng Chee Khern as an independent non-executive director and a member of its sustainability committee. The appointment will take effect on 1 January 2025, according to a bourse filing released on Monday (16 Dec).
Ng Chee Khern, 59, is currently the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Manpower. While his public sector leadership credentials are extensive, the appointment raises questions about the transition of career civil servants into corporate boardrooms.
Ng, who is the brother of National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general Ng Chee Meng, has held key leadership positions in Singapore’s public sector.
He served as Chief of Air Force from 2006 to 2009 before moving into civil service, where he held roles as permanent secretary for defence development at the Ministry of Defence (May 2014–June 2017) and for the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group in the Prime Minister’s Office (May 2017–March 2022).
Hong Leong Asia’s filing highlighted its rationale for the appointment. “The Board is of the view that Mr Ng’s qualifications and extensive experience in building long-lasting systems, sustainable governance, fostering national and international networks including a track record in assessing regional and international affairs, and implementing national initiatives in security, digital and workforce transformation, would provide further diversity to the core competencies and skill set of the Board.”
Ng’s previous board roles at Changi Airport Group and CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust add weight to his credentials. However, both are government-linked entities with structures and objectives that differ substantially from private-sector conglomerates such as Hong Leong Asia.
To address modern governance expectations, the filing also noted that Ng will participate in an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programme for directors of listed companies through the Singapore Institute of Directors. While this demonstrates a proactive approach to equipping Ng for his role, it highlights growing scrutiny of independent directors’ readiness to address sustainability issues and corporate accountability.
Ng’s appointment reflects a broader trend in Singaporean listed companies tapping senior public sector figures for leadership roles. While these appointments can enhance governance frameworks and institutional credibility, they often invite criticism over directors’ independence and their ability to challenge entrenched leadership.
For Hong Leong Asia, Ng’s addition comes at a time when companies are under increasing pressure to balance business growth with ESG imperatives. Shareholders and analysts may question whether a career civil servant can effectively navigate the competitive challenges of a diversified industrial conglomerate while contributing to its profitability and long-term strategy.
Hong Leong Asia, the industrial arm of the Hong Leong Group, operates across sectors such as building materials, diesel engines, and packaging. Listed on the Singapore Exchange under the ticker “H22,” the company must contend with evolving market conditions and sustainability pressures.
