The incoming chairman has held several leadership roles in the Singapore Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence and received the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 2022
[SINGAPORE] Lai Chung Han, 52, incoming permanent secretary for finance, has been appointed chairman of the board of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras), effective May 1.
He succeeds Tan Ching Yee, 60, who has served as chairman since 2016, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement on Friday (Apr 25).
Lai has held several leadership roles in the Singapore Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence. He became deputy secretary (policy) at the Ministry of Defence in 2012 and Chief of Navy in 2014. In 2017, he was appointed second permanent secretary for both education and home affairs.
He was appointed as permanent secretary (education) in 2019 and, in 2024, took on the role of permanent secretary (development) at the Ministry of Finance.
In 2022, he received the Public Administration Medal (Gold) from the president.
Under Tan’s leadership, Iras participated in major international platforms and represented Singapore as a bureau member on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Forum on Tax Administration.
It grew beyond its traditional role to become the centre of excellence for national grant disbursement, rolling out schemes such as the Rental Support Scheme, Jobs Support Scheme and Wage Credit Scheme, to support businesses and workers.
The company also upgraded its digital systems and used artificial intelligence to improve services for taxpayers.
“The Ministry of Finance and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore welcome Mr Lai to the Board and would like to express our deep appreciation to outgoing chairman, Mrs Tan Ching Yee, for her significant contributions to the Iras board,” the statement noted.
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