| Teh Cheang Wan | |
|---|---|
| Minister for National Development | |
| In office 1979–1986 |
|
| Member of Parliament for Geylang West constituency | |
| In office 1979–1984 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 3, 1928 China |
| Died | December 14, 1986 Singapore |
Teh Cheang Wan (3 March 1928, China – 14 December 1986, Singapore) was an architect who was in charge of the Housing Development Board as Minister for National Development of Singapore. He served as the minister between 1979 to 1986.
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Teh's early education began at Lai Teck School and later at Chung Ling High School, Penang. He studied architecture at the University of Sydney in Australia, graduating in 1956.
Teh's early career was as an architect at PWD, New South Wales. He then moved to the Housing Commission, New South Wales, Australia before expanding his expertise with the Housing Trust in Kuala Lumpur and serving in the Penang City Council. In August 1959, he joined the Singapore Improvement Trust as an architect. He was promoted to Chief Architect, Building Department of the newly formed Housing and Development Board (HDB) in October 1959. Later he became the Chief Executive Officer of HDB from 1970 to January 1979. He was also the Chairman of Jurong Town Corporation between September 1976 to March 1979. He resigned from his posts to go into politics where he would further contribute to a different aspect of the landscape of Singapore. Teh was elected as a Member of Parliament for Geylang West constituency in January 1979, and held the seat till December 1984.
1976 : Meritorious Service Medal
Wife: Luna Teh Son: Teh Kwan Sek Daughter: Teh Kwan Geok
He was investigated for corruption by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau for accepting two bribes of $500,000 each in 1981 and 1982. In November 1986, the prime minister of Singapore approved an open investigation on his alleged corruption, however, the papers were issued to the Attorney-General on December 11. Though he maintained his innocence, he committed suicide before being charged for the offences, on December 14.[1][2]
In his suicide note, Teh wrote
I have been feeling very sad and depressed for the last two weeks. I feel responsible for the occurrence of this unfortunate incident and I feel I should accept full responsibility. As an honourable oriental gentleman I feel it is only right that I should pay the highest penalty for my mistake.[3]
As a result of the suicide, the Attorney-General could not proceed with the charges. However, there was a subsequent investigation into the matter as a result of allegation of Chiam See Tong, the opposition MP, that there were unanswered questions into the whole episode. In December 1987, the findings of the Commission of Inquiry were presented to the President of Singapore, however, they were not released to the public till the end the year.[4]