LEONG Foke Meng
The Public Service,
Accession Number 002583
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 3
Total Reels
- Santanu Gupta
Interviewer
- 02:39:19
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
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Reel/Disc 2 of 3
Metadata
- 17 Oct 2005
Recording Date
- 00:59:29
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:23) PM decided to open the gates and allowed public access.
(0:04:55) Problems it faced and how to tackle them.
(0:11:31) Problems with the allocation of lands involving MINDEF (Ministry of Defence).
(0:13:48) Bases Economic Conversion Development (BECD) tackled all the issues satisfactorily.
(0:16:23) Successful in retraining ex-British employees and making them employable.
(0:20:28) Reason why he did not find the BECD stint personally satisfying in terms of reward.
(0:21:16) BECD ceased operations in late 1971.
(0:24:50) Wrote a paper on the work of BECD and gave it to ISIS (Institute of Southeast Asian Studies) and NUS (National University of Singapore).
(0:28:25) Most people affected by the British pullout were Chinese.
(0:34:04) How they handled land titles and surrender of titles during the British pull-out.
(0:39:14) How Sembawang Shipyard was converted to commercial use.
(0:42:35) Posted to Ministry of Finance (MOF)’s Economic Development Board.
(0:46:53) Why his MOF posting was brief.
(0:47:07) Posted to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 1973.
(0:48:07) Described his work there and his conversation with Permanent Secretary (MHA) Tay Seow Huah.
(0:53:27) Posted to Budget Division (MOF) in 1975.
(0:54:55) Handled parliamentary queries on budget matters.
(0:57:38) Talked about PAR (Performance Appraisal Review) introduced then in budgeting.
About difficulties of Bases Economic Conversion Department (BECD). Problems it faced; tackling problems. Issues related to title deeds of properties held by British. Generally BECD accomplished its tasks. Alternative employment found for ex-British employees. BECD stint personally satisfying. BECD ceased operations in late 1971. Posted to Ministry of Finance (MOF)’s Economic Development Board. Why his MOF posting was brief. Posted to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), 1973. Described his work there. About conversation with Permanent Secretary (MHA) Tay Seow Huah. Then posted to Budget Division (MOF), 1975. Handled parliamentary queries on budget matters. About PAR (Performance Appraisal Review) introduced then in budgeting.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 3
Metadata
- 17 Oct 2005
Recording Date
- 00:45:21
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:24) Posted to Ministry of Education (MOE) in 1977.
(0:02:05) Dr Goh Keng Swee’s study team in MOE.
(0:02:34) Handled Service Conditions.
(0:03:31) Recalled surprise inspection of MOE offices by ISD (Internal Security Department) one Saturday afternoon.
(0:06:58) He went back to the Land Office in 1979.
(0:08:23) Reflected on his long-standing career at the Land Office.
(0:11:51) Land Office became a statutory board, Singapore Land Authority (SLA), in 2001, consolidating three different departments.
(0:14:30) The process was more streamlined.
(0:15:45) Mentioned his current portfolio as a consultant.
(0:18:45) Future challenges for the land service.
(0:24:37) The importance of planning due to shortage of land.
(0:27:17) Compared civil service of today with that of 1960s and 1970s.
(0:32:24) The benefit of having experienced officers who knew the background.
(0:35:49) His advice for the young officers.
(0:40:43) His reaction to his son leaving civil service.
(0:43:47) His future plan after his contract ended.
Posted to Ministry of Education (MOE), 1977. Handled Service Conditions. Surprise inspection of MOE offices one Saturday afternoon. Dr Goh Keng Swee’s study team in MOE. Interviewee chose to specialize in land matters; posted back to Land Office, 1979. Its conversion to statutory board, Singapore Land Authority (SLA) in 2001, consolidating three different departments. Resultant better co-ordination, enhanced efficiency. Issues facing SLA; future challenges. Interviewee presently SLA consultant on land matters. Compared civil service of today with that of 1960s and 1970s. Felt that young officers unwilling to study background files. Advised civil service not the place to make money.
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