CHANDRA, Krishna Pillay Ram (K. R. Chandra)
The Public Service,
Accession Number 000486
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 5
Total Reels
- Elisabeth Eber-Chan (Mrs)
Interviewer
- 02:16:04
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 5
Metadata
- 19 Apr 1993
Recording Date
- 00:31:20
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:01:47) From a family with three generations of civil servants in India and Johor.
(0:04:12) Recollection of their plight during the war.
(0:08:53) Mahathir was a classmate during a short study at Medical College.
(0:11:50) Joined Singapore Civil Service, Admin Service Part II in 1953 after completed arts honours in university.
(0:14:49) Moved to Land Office under Hon Sui Sen as Collector of Land Revenue.
(0:18:02) Worked with Hon Sui Sen in various positions.
(0:24:03) Moved into Ministry of National Development after the People’s Action Party (PAP) came into office.
(0:27:43) Chaotic time with Ong Eng Guan being Minister of National Development.
Family background. Attended Raffles College. Completed Arts, Economics degree at University of Malaya. Accepted into Civil Service, Administrative Service Part II. Various postings. Worked under Hon Sui Sen. In 1959, moved Ministry of National Development. Ong Eng Guan's treatment of civil servants.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 5
Metadata
- 19 Apr 1993
Recording Date
- 00:31:12
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:32) Stuck it out before being transferred to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
(0:05:25) How he became the Principal Assistant Secretary in the PMO.
(0:05:25) Moved to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) as Lee Kuan Yew personally oversaw Lands and Planning.
(0:09:14) Took out provision on land acquisition at market value upon separation from Malaysia.
(0:09:49) Became the Acting Deputy Secretary in the PMO in 1964.
(0:10:04) His duties.
(0:10:56) Helped break the City Council strike when he was the Acting Deputy Secretary in PMO.
(0:13:25) Completed a part-time course on the law in 1964.
(0:17:21) Posted to Ministry of Law set up following breakup with Malaysia.
(0:19:08) His views on the People’s Action Party’s hostility towards civil servants.
(0:20:30) Role of civil service.
(0:21:47) Classic civil service training practised staying out of politics.
(0:25:31) The Central attribute of civil servants is making suggestions without offending ministers.
In 1964, appointed Acting Deputy Secretary, Prime Minister's Office. Responsibilities. How he came to read law. People's Action Party's (PAP) attitude to civil servants. Role of civil service. Qualities of civil servants.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 5
Metadata
- 19 Apr 1993
Recording Date
- 00:20:32
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:19) How the Land Acquisition Policy came about.
(0:02:19) What prompted the reclamation plans.
(0:05:57) His work with the Bases Economic Conversion Department.
(0:10:11) Difficult to allocate use for large tracts of lands ceded by the British.
(0:13:17) Awarded a Meritorious Service Medal for his work.
(0:14:47) His feelings about working with Lee Kuan Yew.
(0:20:20) Urban renewal and clearance of areas followed the Land Acquisition Act.
(0:23:17) Got ex-gratia payment for acquiring houses pegged at old inequitable value.
(0:26:04) Relationship with E W Barker, the Minister of Law.
(0:27:18) Worked closely with the Attorneys-General in drafting legislation.
(0:30:07) Appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs and then the Ministry of Culture between 1973 and 1979.
Various pieces of land legislation. His work with the Bases Economic Conversion Department. Plans for conversion of land use. Working with, and impressions of, Lee Kuan Yew. Effects of land acquisition. Relationship withE W Barker, Minister for Law. Appointed Permanent Secretary (PS), Culture and Social Affairs, from 1973 to 1979
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Reel/Disc 4 of 5
Metadata
- 19 Apr 1993
Recording Date
- 00:32:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:02:42) Set up Singapore Broadcasting Corporation and handled censorship in the Ministry of Culture.
(0:09:18) Recollection of life in Johore growing up with people like the Puthuchearys, the Woodhulls and the Kuoks.
(0:14:28) Frequent meetings between permanent secretaries for topics like promotions.
(0:19:37) Misgivings about public versus private interests directing companies like Keppel Shipyard.
(0:25:08) Enjoyed converting Hotel Premier into a hotel training school.
(0:26:54) Amused by decentralisations into statutory boards, town councils, etc., after centralisation.
(0:28:28) Effects of his busy life on his family.
(0:30:19) The Civil Service Sports Council was set up in 1973.
Work as Permanent Secretary (Culture), setting up of Singapore Broadcasting Corporation, and handling censorship. Recollections of life in Johor and people he grew up with, Puthuchearys, Woodhulls, Kuoks. How junior civil servants were assessed. Sat on boards of 8 government companies and boards. Views on government servants in government companies. Effect of his work on family. Setting up of Civil Service Sports Council.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 5
Metadata
- 19 Apr 1993
Recording Date
- 00:21:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:04) Elaboration of his involvement with the Civil Service Council.
(0:03:20) Retired in 1984.
(0:03:42) Set up a private practice but had to stop due to a heart attack.
(0:04:40) Role as a Justice of the Peace.
(0:04:46) Solemnised marriages and led trust awarding scholarships to Indian students.
(0:07:22) Played quasi-judicial and public service roles after retirement.
(0:10:34) Watched zoos abroad before deciding on our own concept.
(0:13:10) Disagreed with PAP’s emphasis on community separateness.
(0:15:22) Rajaratnam, Barker shared his view on regression in community policy.
Elaboration on his involvement with Civil Service Council. Retired in 1984. Set up private practice. Because of heart attack, quitted. Role as Justice of the Peace. Various boards he sits on. Personal views on present trend of communal separateness.
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