From The Straits Times    |
 5 things you may not have known about Singapore’s new auditor-general Goh Soon Poh

 

 5 things you may not have known about Singapore’s new auditor-general

Prime minister Lee Hsien Loong just announced that in February, Singapore’s new auditor-general will be Goh Soon Poh, current deputy secretary (Corporate) at the Home Affairs Ministry (MHA) and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). This comes after Singapore named three female ministers in Cabinet for the first time last April, in a win for female empowerment. With a long and decorated history of service, here are five things you may not know about her:

 

1. She’s been in the civil service for 34 years

That’s right, 34. Goh joined in 1984, and has since served as deputy secretary in  the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, Public Service Division, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office.

She’s held her current position in MHA since 2009 and in the PMO since 2016.

 

2. She graduated from Cambridge University

Awarded an Overseas Merit Scholarship (now known as the Public Service Commission (PSC) Scholarship) in 1981, she went on to graduate with a bachelor of arts (economics) from Cambridge University.

 

3. Her husband is senior minister of state, Heng Chee How

 5 things you may not have known about Singapore’s new auditor-general Heng Chee How

Goh Soon Poh’s husband, MP Heng Chee How

The Jalan Besar GRC MP and current senior minister of state (PMO) is also a former PSC scholarship holder and Cambridge graduate. Together they have one daughter.

 

4. She’s won the Public Administration medal twice

Officially known as the Pingat Pentadbiran Awam, it’s awarded to outstanding civil servants. Goh won the silver medal in 2000 and the gold in 2015.

 

5. She studied at Singapore Chinese Girls School

 5 things you may not have known about Singapore’s new auditor-general Goh Soon Poh

(Left-right) Actress and former NMP Janice Koh; president Halimah Yacob

This august school counts President of the Republic of Singapore Madam Halimah Yacob (Her World Woman of the Year 2003) and Crazy Rich Asians actress Janice Koh among its alumni.

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