CHENG Tong Fatt
The Public Service,
Accession Number 003971
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 8
Total Reels
- Santanu Gupta
Interviewer
- 07:06:50
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 8
Metadata
- 2 Jan 2015
Recording Date
- 00:58:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:24) Personal and family background. Recollections of his first school.
(0:06:30) School was interrupted by the Japanese Occupation. Internment in a concentration camp during the Japanese Occupation.
(0:11:52) Returned to school in 1945 after the Japanese surrendered. Academic achievements and extracurricular activities at high school.
(0:17:47) Decision to pursue further studies in England upon graduation in 1948. Attended a language school to improve his English.
(0:22:47) Went to London by ship in 1951. Initially opted for an Aeronautical engineering course in Glasgow.
(0:29:17) How he switched to study Veterinary Science for 5 years. His work in the United Kingdom farm and clinic.
(0:35:40) Academic setback due to his health issue. Working experience on a ship in Canada.
(0:39:47) Returned to Singapore in 1957 on graduation. Received a colonial scholarship to study veterinary medicine.
(0:42:58) Reported for work at the Government Veterinary Office as a Junior Officer. Early working exposure in rural areas and the problems faced by farmers.
(0:49:48) Start of disease control. Setup of an extension centre for communication with the farmers.
(0:52:46) Efforts were made to produce better-quality pigs and provide better nutrition for animals. Farmers were taught to manage their farms.
(0:56:07) Establishment of the Primary Production Department (PPD) under the Ministry of National Development (MND) in 1959. Rose in rank to become Acting Director of PPD.
His date & place of birth, parents & siblings. Place where they lived in early years. His parents’ approach to his upbringing. Childhood days in the 30s. His first school & medium of instruction. Anecdote about him fighting a bully in school. Disruption of school during Japanese Occupation. Only private tuition. His recollections of the Occupation. Life in a camp for a few days. Hardships. Returned to school in 1945 after Japanese surrender. His first exposure to the English language after 1945. His venture into cooperatives in school hostel. His favourite subjects. Went to London by ship in 1951 to pursue further studies. Joined English tuition class for foreigners in London. Adjustment to life in the United Kingdom. Enrolled into Aeronautical engineering course in Glasgow but switched to Veterinary Science in same university. His work in the United Kingdom farm. Little hiccup in his final year. Returned to Singapore in 1957 on graduation. Reported for work at Government Veterinary Office – small staff then. His early working exposure in rural areas. Problems faced by farmers. Start of disease control. Better quality pigs & nutrition for animals. Teaching farmers management of farms. Accompanying Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on his rural tours. Merger of City Council & Government in 1959 & establishment of the Primary Production Dept (PPD) under the Ministry of National Development(MND). Rose in rank to become Ag Director of PPD.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 8
Metadata
- 2 Jan 2015
Recording Date
- 00:56:35
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:21) Held two positions at the Ministry of National Development (MND) after the People’s Action Party (PAP) came into power. Ignored by “Rural Organisers”.
(0:04:20) Close ties with farmers and how he helped them to address their grievances. Recollections of the 1963 General Election (GE).
(0:06:40) Merger with Malaya and the formation of Singapore/Malaysia Veterinary Association. Recollections of the “egg war” with Malaysia.
(0:09:21) Lee Kuan Yew’s wise move in the egg war. Recalled a group of Malaysian tin miners buying a horse for Malaysian PM Tengku Abdul Rahman.
(0:12:40) Decision to euthanise the horse led to diplomatic tensions with Malaysia. How a compromise was reached.
(0:15:53) Recounted experiences accompanying PM Lee Kuan Yew during constituency visits. Received Public Administration Medal (Gold).
(0:24:16) Achievement in Primary Production Department (PPD) and awards received as Director of PPD. Conflicts with Permanent Secretary (PS) of PPD during his stint as PS of MND.
(0:31:53) Challenges facing MND then, including the issue of corruption. Decision to dismantle and reform the Public Works Department.
(0:37:58) Role of the United Nations Development Programme in developing a land use plan for Singapore in 1971. Drafted his own Cabinet Memos.
(0:41:49) Challenges in the resettlement of squatters and farmers, including revising the compensation system.
(0:44:25) Cited a case of corruption in the construction industry. Some drastic steps he had to take as PS of MND.
(0:52:24) How the government’s decision to prematurely clear the pig farms in Punggol led to significant political backlash.
About “ Rural Organisers “ introduced by Ministry of National Development (MND) Minister Ong Eng Guan. Left-wing in nature. His popularity with farmers. Prime Minister Lee’s campaign for General Election(GE) 1963. Merger with Malaya & formation of Singapore/Malaysia Veterinary Association. Egg war with Malaysia & Prime Minister Lee’s shrewd move. About tin miners in Ipoh buying a horse for Malaysian Prime Minister Tengku Abdul Rahman. Why Prime Minister Lee wanted the Primary Production Dept (PPD) chief to accompany him on his tours. Confirmed as Director/PPD in 1967. Transferred to the Singapore Administrative Service in 1971 and appointed Permanent Secretary (PS) of MND. Challenges facing Ministry of National Development then. How he tackled the challenges. Talked about the extensive land acquisition programme for public housing. About resettlement & compensation issues. Some drastic steps he had to take as PS/MND. About some of his subordinates. Why special paper on future of pig farming was necessary. His views on the haste with which Punggol farmers were cleared.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 8
Metadata
- 23 Jan 2015
Recording Date
- 00:58:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:01:27) Recalled the campaign of greening Singapore. Formation of the Garden City Action Committee and the Parks and Recreation Department.
(0:07:11) Challenges faced in funding the greening initiatives. Faced opposition to the expenditure on beautification projects and how it was addressed.
(0:13:31) Sent to Washington, District of Columbia for World Bank course in 1971. Efforts to relocate roadside hawkers to hawker centres.
(0:17:41) Role as Deputy Chairman of the Housing and Development Board (HDB). Establishment of the Building Surveillance Department to prevent corruption.
(0:20:16) United Nations Development Programme’s 5-year plan in 1971. Acquiring land in advance for future Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations.
(0:25:09) Detailed on the redevelopment of Orchard Road. His frequent one-to-one meetings with Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
(0:30:08) Positive working relationships with Ministers Edmund William Barker and Lim Kim San. Development of Jurong Fishing Port.
(0:34:43) Political challenges faced. Construction of Pasir Panjang wholesale market for vegetables from Malaysia.
(0:39:13) Bold decision to acquire land for housing and infrastructure development. Creation of Indigo company for international development.
(0:47:29) Concept and execution of the Marina Bay reclamation project. Major sale of land by URA in 1978 (the present Marina Square).
(0:51:54) Creation of the Housing & Urban Development Corporation (HUDC).
(0:54:00) Acquisition of land in Pasir Ris. Development of East Coast Park (ECP) and holiday chalets there.
Sent to Washington DC for World Bank course. Daily stacks of instructions he received from Prime Minister Lee. The meticulousness of the Prime Minister. Formation of the Garden City Action Committee chaired by him.Committee’s monthly reports to Prime Minister, who was particularly interested in this. Setting up of Parks & Recreation Dept (PRD). Prime Minister’s meeting with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) & Ministry of National Development (MND) to sort out funding matters. Construction of pedestrian malls. Tree Planting Day. Building of hawker centres. 5 Year plan on Singapore which contributed greatly to S’pore’s development. Talked about acquisition issues on Orchard Road. His frequent one-to-one meetings with Prime Minister Lee. Talked about the Jurong fishing port. Setting up wholesale market in Pasir Panjang for vegetables coming in from Malaysia. Setting up the Urban Redevelopment Authority(URA). Major sale of land by URA in 1978 (the present Marina Square). Talked about the Housing & Urban Development Corporation (HUDC), construction of East Coast Park (ECP) and holiday chalets there.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 8
Metadata
- 23 Jan 2015
Recording Date
- 00:58:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:10) Popularity of East Coast Park (ECP) chalet and his own unit there. His posting as Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Culture in 1979.
(0:04:20) Mixed feelings about leaving the Ministry of National Development (MND). The need to reform the Radio and Television Singapore (RTS).
(0:08:53) Became General Manager of Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Creation of the Singapore Food Industry (SFI).
(0:14:39) Gazetting Good Class Bungalows (GCBs). Recollections of overseas trips as PS to Cambodia and Australia.
(0:20:52) Efforts done in the resettlement of farmers in Singapore. Farmers’ reaction towards the eventual decision to clear the pig farms in Punggol.
(0:26:20) Early stages of condominium development in Singapore. Resettlement of squatters in Singapore and the challenges faced.
(0:33:40) Process of establishing SBC as a statutory board. Challenges in funding and producing high-quality content.
(0:39:51) Steps taken to improve production quality.
(0:44:57) Investing in new technology for filming. Focus on censorship of the SBC content.
(0:48:16) Accommodation of the foreign artists. How he ensured fair resource allocation and talent management.
(0:52:25) Revitalisation of radio programmes. Increase in staff and funding over the years.
(0:55:43) Positive impact of his leadership in SBC. Recollections of the broadcasting of National Day announcements.
Drastic move to phase out farms before expiry of their leases. Unhappiness of squatters who were resettled. First construction of high-rise buildings. Setting up Singapore Food Industries. His foreign trips as PS/ Ministry of National Development (MND).
His posting as PS/Ministry of Culture in 1979. Light workload in Ministry Headquarters. Devoted a lot of time to Radio & TV Singapore(RTS) as he felt many things had to be done there. Reasons for idea to convert RTS into a statutory board & formation of the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Became General Manager of SBC. The numerous initiatives he introduced into SBC to improve it. Had to resort to importing foreign staff to give SBC a “push” upwards. But problems created by foreign artistes. Had to send them back. Breaking up of “empires” in SBC. His efforts to build up radio programmes & introduction of a Dubbing Unit. Had to face & solve many problems. But turnaround in funding position.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 8
Metadata
- 6 Feb 2015
Recording Date
- 00:53:59
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:21) Creation of a dubbing unit for various languages. Reflected on his achievement at Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC).
(0:05:34) Mentioned Madam Chua Foo Yong’s contribution in radio programmes. Complexities of television production.
(0:09:59) Reflected on his leadership style at SBC. Left SBC in 1988 with a surplus and retired in 1989.
(0:13:27) How he was appointed as Ambassador to Japan. Strong organisational culture and financial stability he helped to establish at SBC.
(0:20:36) Involvement in the acquisition of the Kallang and National Theatres during his stint as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture.
(0:24:49) The need for repairs and eventual demolition of the National Theatre. Recalled a dispute with the Auditor-General’s Office regarding the acquisition of Kallang Theatre.
(0:31:38) Initiation of the “Speak Mandarin” campaign and “Courtesy” campaign by the Ministry of Culture.
(0:38:53) Initial challenges of engaging with the Japanese during his stint as Ambassador.
(0:42:34) Formation of the Japan-Singapore Economic Committee to generate Japanese investments.
(0:47:40) Minimum language barriers with Japanese. Interactions with other Ambassadors, especially the Chinese Ambassador.
(0:49:02) Recalled the unique cultural practices of the Chinese Ambassadors. Organising a lunch meeting between PM Lee Hsien Loong and Japanese politicians.
Had to import TV serials from Hong Kong and the reason for it. Set up Executive Committee in Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) to get everyone together to strive for a common goal/vision. Wanted everyone to work seriously to meet timelines. Felt satisfied with results. Generation of great enthusiasm amongst staff and high morale in SBC at the time he left. Talked about the immense help Mdm Chua Foo Yong gave him in building up radio programmes & its revenue generation. His working style in SBC. Left SBC with a healthy surplus when he left. Talked about some other issues he handled as PS/Culture such as the Kallang & National Theatres, the “Speak Mandarin” campaign & the “Courtesy “ campaign. Full backing from Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on these campaigns.
Left SBC in 1988 & retired at age 60 in 1989. His induction into the diplomatic service & posting to Japan as Ambassador. What he first saw in Tokyo. The general working style of Japanese politicians & bureucrats. Tendency of Japan to look down on South-East Asia. Arranged visits to Singapore by top Japanese businessmen to induce them to invest in Singapore. Setting up the Japan-Singapore Economic Committee. Success in generating Japanese investments. High regard for Lee Kuan Yew amongst Japanese. Anecdote about arranging dinner in Tokyo for top Japanese during visit by Senior Minister (SM) Lee Kuan Yew.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 8
Metadata
- 6 Feb 2015
Recording Date
- 00:31:39
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:41) Relationship with the Taiwan Ambassador in Japan. Taiwan Ambassador’s move to Singapore as Trade Representative.
(0:05:37) Trade relationship between Singapore and Japan. Navigating the Japanese political system.
(0:12:57) Experiences as Ambassador to Korea. How he promoted Japanese investment in Singapore.
(0:17:51) Relations between Japan and the United States at that time. Wife’s frequent visits to Tokyo during his 3-year stint.
(0:22:43) Declined the offer to extend his term in Japan. Circumstances that led to his appointment as Singapore’s first Ambassador to China in 1991.
(0:26:00) Impact of diplomatic postings on his family, especially his children's education. Initial impressions of the Chinese embassy.
Talked about trade relationship between Singapore & Japan. About his life in Tokyo. Was a strange experience for him observing working style of Japanese politicians & civil servants. His concurrent assignment to Korea. Strong anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea. Relations between Japan & the USA at that time. Frequent social functions. Was asked to extend his stint in Japan for another 3 years but declined.
Singapore establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China(PRC) in 1990 and his appointment as Singapore’s first Ambassador there. A lot of work ahead for him in China.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 8
Metadata
- 11 Feb 2015
Recording Date
- 00:54:31
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:41) Possible reasons for his 7-year appointment as Ambassador to the People's Republic of China (PRC).
(0:02:56) Relations of Singapore and PRC in 1991. Initial impressions of Beijing.
(0:11:20) Economic conditions of PRC under a controlled economy.
(0:14:02) How he received unusual special treatment. Reunion with his old schoolmates from high school in Beijing. Life during the Cultural Revolution.
(0:20:29) Challenges in recruiting Chinese talents to Singapore then. How he secured quotas for Singapore to recruit Chinese students.
(0:25:34) Evolution of recruitment strategy.
(0:30:35) Recalled anger among students due to provocative questions during interviews.
(0:33:02) Reluctance of schools to support recruitment efforts and the low selection rate. Returned to Singapore in 1998 as Ambassador-At-Large.
(0:36:31) Origins of the Suzhou Industrial Park project. How Suzhou was selected as the project site, with Deng Xiaoping’s approval.
(0:42:21) Challenges in developing Suzhou Industrial Park. Lee Kuan Yew’s intervention, advocating for a change in the partnership structure.
(0:50:22) Success of the Suzhou Industrial Park project. Attended numerous National Day celebrations but prioritised fostering Singapore-PRC relations.
(0:55:19) High regard in China for Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong.
State of Singapore/ People Republic of China (PRC) relations in 1991. Unusual special treatrment given to him by Chinese President when he presented his credentials. How Chinese society was organized then – something new to him. His meeting with some of his old Singapore schoolmates who had settled in China. Total social control of government then. ”Work to your best, take what you need:” the official PRC line then. Stifled initiative. Shortage of everything. His 1st major task assigned to him by Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Problems he had to face in getting it done. Talked at length about the Suzhou Industrial Park, the numerous hiccups associated with it but the final success of the project.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 8
Metadata
- 11 Feb 2015
Recording Date
- 00:54:35
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:35) Singapore’s secret agreement with Taiwan to train its forces there. Lee Kuan Yew’s secret visits to Taiwan.
(0:03:33) How the visits were publicised by the Taiwanese press. Anger and warning by the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
(0:08:39) His reassurance to PRC. Singapore’s refusal of Taiwanese leader’s visit to Singapore.
(0:12:21) PRC Central Propaganda Department’s visit to Singapore.
(0:17:03) The very good mileage Singapore got out of this visit. His greatest satisfaction as Ambassador to PRC from 1991 to 1998.
(0:21:05) Role of Ambassador-At-Large. Shared key factors for Singapore’s success.
(0:26:52) The need for the government to balance populist policies with long-term economic sustainability.
(0:32:24) His views on future challenges for Singapore.
(0:35:21) Talked about his family. Request of the Plen to meet Lee Kuan Yew and the meeting.
(0:39:15) Facilitated a visit by a Chinese official to Singapore.
(0:42:31) Importance of Singapore’s National Day Receptions in Beijing. How he facilitated meetings between Singaporean and Chinese leaders.
(0:46:33) Anecdote about how Singapore resolved a satellite launch dispute with China.
About the visit to Singapore of People’s Republic of China (PRC) Central Propaganda Department & the very good mileage Singapore got out of this visit. Talked at length about the sensitive Taiwan issue & PRC's extreme sensitivity to approaches/contacts of Singapore with Taiwan. High regard in China for Lee Kuan Yew & Goh Chok Tong. Request of the Plen to meet Lee Kuan Yew and the meeting. Hosted huge National Day dinner in Beijing attended by about 1000 guests. Help he gave Singapore’s private sector in its dealings with China. Felt Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MFA) sometimes did not grasp relevance & importance of China. Ended his Beijing stint in 1998 & became Ambassador-at-Large. Continued work in MFA in advisory capacity until his final retirement in 2004. Felt he needed a break after 47 years service in govt. His main hobby since retirement. About his wife & children. No regrets about career. His views on future challenges for Singapore.
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