Tan Kiat How, the outgoing chief executive of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), looks likely to run in East Coast GRC on a People's Action Party ticket this coming general election.

Tan would step down from his IMDA role on June 20.

He most recently joined the MPs from East Coast GRC and Fengshan SMC for a Zoom webinar, which was also streamed live on Facebook on June 13, 2020.

The webinar shared about the programmes available to help businesses, workers and citizens go digital, including that of seniors and hawkers.

Earlier in March, it was announced that Fengshan SMC will be absorbed into the East Coast GRC, which is led by four Members of Parliament (MPs): Maliki Osman, Lim Swee Say, Lee Yi Shyan and Jessica tan.

MP Cheryl Chan oversees Fengshan SMC.

Changes to the GRC's line-up are expected, as Lim has since stepped down as Manpower Minister, and Lee has also stepped down as Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development.

In response to media queries, the outgoing chief executive said he will be taking "a short break".

"My plans are still being firmed up. It would be premature to share them now," said Tan.

Tan added that he and his wife are expecting their first child in August.

"I would like to spend time with her and prepare for the baby’s arrival," he said.

"Covid-19 is indeed the crisis of our generation, but it also opens up new opportunities for us. I will want to continue leveraging my experience, especially in the area of digital technology, to contribute to this effort."

Background

Tan had been the chief executive of IMDA since January 2017.

He led the merger of the then-Infocomm Development Authority and the then-Media Development Authority to form IMDA.

During his term, IMDA rolled out the fourth telco and carried out 5G enterprise trials, preparing Singapore for the deployment of the 5G network.

He also supported the formation of a nationwide parcel locker network.

During this Covid-19 period, Tan established the SG Digital Office under IMDA to mobilise a 1,000-strong Digital Ambassador network to reach out to seniors, hawkers and coffee shop stall owners to help them acquire digital tools and skills.

Tan had also guided IMDA in building ties through international collaborations, such as the Digital Economy Agreements, which has been successfully formalised with Australia, New Zealand and Chile.

New IMDA Chief Executive

Lew Chuen Hong will succeed Tan, the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) announced on June 15.

Lew was the Chief of Navy from 2017 to 2020 before joining IMDA as deputy chief executive (development) in May 2020.

Lew also held several senior command and staff appointments, including Fleet Commander, and Chief of Staff – Naval Staff.

He has also previously served as director of the research and enterprise division at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).

Lew will build on ongoing efforts to strengthen IMDA and its partnerships with industry stakeholders and the community to forge a thriving and inclusive digital future for Singapore and Singaporeans, the release read.

In a Facebook post on June 15, Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran welcomed Lew and thanked Tan for his "many contributions", noting that Tan's leadership has enabled IMDA to further "Singapore's digital economy ambition" while fostering a digitally inclusive society.

Top image adapted via IMDA's press release