| Khaw Boon Wan | |
|---|---|
| Khaw Boon Wan | |
| Minister for National Development | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 21 May 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Mah Bow Tan |
| Constituency | Sembawang Group Representation Constituency |
| Minister for Health | |
| In office 12 August 2004 – 20 May 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Lim Hng Kiang |
| Succeeded by | Gan Kim Yong |
| Chairman of the People's Action Party | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 1 June 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Lim Boon Heng |
| Member of the Singapore Parliament for Sembawang GRC (Sembawang ward) |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 7 May 2006 |
|
| Preceded by | Tony Tan |
| Member of the Singapore Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC (Moulmein ward) |
|
| In office 4 November 2001 – 6 May 2006 |
|
| Preceded by | Lew Syn Pau (Kreta Ayer-Tanglin GRC: Moulmein ward) |
| Succeeded by | Lui Tuck Yew |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 8, 1952 Penang, Federation of Malaya |
| Political party | People's Action Party |
| Alma mater | University of Newcastle |
Khaw Boon Wan (simplified Chinese: 许文远; traditional Chinese: 許文遠; pinyin: Xǔ Wényuǎn; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Khóo Bûn-uán; born 8 December 1952 in Penang, Malaya) is a politician from Singapore. He is currently the country's Minister for National Development and the Chairman of the governing People's Action Party (PAP).[1][2] He was previously the Minister for Health from August 2004 to May 2011. He has been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 2001.
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Khaw began his career in the civil service. He worked in the Ministry of Health and served as the Chief Executive Officer of the National University Hospital, Kandang Kerbau Women's and Children's Hospital, and the Singapore General Hospital.
From 1992 to 1995, Khaw served as the Principal Private Secretary to Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. From 1995 to 2001, he served as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Khaw has been a Member of Parliament since 2001. He represented the Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency from 2001 to 2006, and the Sembawang Group Representation Constituency since 2006.
Khaw was appointed the Minister for Health in August 2004.
As Minister for health, Khaw played a key role in combating the SARS epidemic which tested the Singapore's public health resources. He was also noted for his role in handling the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) scandal, and made Gerard Ee the new Chairman of the NKF following the resignation of T.T. Durai. In a parliamentary speech on 9 February 2009, in the context of tackling the rising healthcare costs, he suggested that Singaporeans can consider sending their elderly parents to nursing homes in Johor Bahru in Malaysia, which are more affordable to lower-income Singaporeans. This was quoted by news reports and a public outcry ensued. Khaw subsequently clarified that his statement was quoted out of context by the media and his suggestion was only one of the many choices available to Singaporeans.
Following the 2011 general election, Khaw was appointed the Minister for National Development.
Khaw completed his education at the University of Newcastle in Australia on a Colombo Plan Scholarship, graduating in 1977 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce.
Khaw is married with three daughters, and is known to be a devout Buddhist.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lim Hng Kiang |
Minister for Health 12 August 2004 - 20 May 2011 |
Succeeded by Gan Kim Yong |
| Preceded by Mah Bow Tan |
Minister for National Development 21 May 2011 |
Incumbent |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Lim Boon Heng |
Chairman of the People's Action Party 1 June 2011 |
Incumbent |
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