GIN, Kenneth Ying Doon
The Public Service,
Accession Number 000620
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 4
Total Reels
- Daniel Chew (Dr)
Interviewer
- 02:01:28
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 2 of 4
Metadata
- 4 Jun 1993
Recording Date
- 00:31:25
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:22) His level of interaction with Policymakers as a Director of the Public Works Department.
(0:07:53) PWD sections suggested works for department-wide discussions and budgeting.
(0:10:17) Problems of labour unrest in the early days.
(0:12:00) In charge of negotiations with daily-rated and monthly-rated unions.
(0:14:37) Handling of squatters squatting on land that needed to be cleared out.
(0:17:28) Built Paya Lebar Airport, National Library, clinics, first underpass, and first overhead bridge.
(0:21:00) Measures taken by the department to prevent malpractice.
(0:22:36) Recalled the removal of the Minister of National Development, Tan Kia Gan, over some corruption scandal.
Why he preferred practical side of doing things. His Permanent Secretary interpreted policies. How he would go to his Director's office every morning for discussions. How he handled union discussions.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 4
Metadata
- 11 Jun 1993
Recording Date
- 00:31:34
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:20) Weekly meetings with the Permanent Secretary.
(0:01:14) Conducted fortnightly meetings with professional staff.
(0:02:39) Nature of discussion with the Permanent Secretary.
(0:03:58) Talent scouting the professional staff in the Public Works Department (PWD).
(0:06:30) Memorable projects undertaken.
(0:08:28) Left PWD in 1966 and reasons for leaving.
(0:09:31) Represented at the World Bank as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Public Utilities Board (PUB).
(0:11:46) Problems faced by PUB when he took over.
(0:14:54) PUB must be profitable to make an eight per cent return for a World Bank loan.
(0:18:46) Big projects undertaken by PUB and the technical difficulties faced.
(0:26:26) Level of responsibility and accountability.
Weekly meetings with Permanent Secretary. Conducted fortnightly meetings with professional staff. Left Public Works Department (PWD) in 1966. Government wanted him to take over Public Utilities Board (PUB) as General Manager. PUB's financial problems and dependence on World Bank for loans. Had to make PUB profitable. Construction projects at Johore River and Jurong. Level of accountability to PUB Board, then Permanent Secretary and finally Minister.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 4
Metadata
- 11 Jun 1993
Recording Date
- 00:29:54
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:37) Spent more time on administration and meetings.
(0:04:44) Left Public Utilities Board (PUB) in 1968.
(0:05:03) Joined Singapore Land and Investment, which developed houses and flats, as a Regional Manager.
(0:06:46) Joined Sentosa Development Corporation.
(0:09:04) Nature of his job at Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC).
(0:12:37) Sentosa broke even first years from golf clubs, ferry service, and admission fees.
(0:15:20) Differences between being the General Manager of SDC and the General Manager of PUB.
(0:17:45) Few committees in SDC but needed to conform to government procedures.
(0:22:20) No regrets coming to Singapore, sacrificing possibilities in Australia.
(0:23:10) Talked about his children.
(0:29:03) Identified as Singaporean, although still a permanent resident.
A lot of administrative work to perform. Left in 1968. Worked as General Manager with private company, Singapore Land. Joined Sentosa Development Corporation in 1973. Had to get infrastructure and projects like coralarium and museums started. His children. Set up own company in 1976.
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