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CAG appoints Tan Gee Paw as acting chairman, thanks founding chair Liew Mun Leong

People at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal. It is currently rated the World's Best Airport by Skytrax for the eighth consecutive year since 2013.
Singapore Changi Airport Departure Hall entrance.

SINGAPORE – Changi Airport Group (CAG), whose immediate past chairman Liew Mun Leong stepped down on Thursday (10 September) after facing public backlash upon the acquittal of his ex-maid Parti Liyani of theft, has appointed board member Tan Gee Paw as acting chairman.

Tan was previously chairman of the Public Utilities Board from 1 April 2001 until his retirement on 31 March 2017.

In a statement on Thursday evening, CAG also recorded its thanks to Liew, who was its founding chairman – since 2009. “CAG thanks Mr Liew for his many years of service to the company, as well as his contributions to the development of Changi Airport over many decades. Mr Liew played a pivotal role in the corporatisation of Changi Airport, which paved the way for Changi to operate more flexibly to meet the challenges of a competitive aviation environment,” CAG said.

CAG’s Chief Executive Officer Lee Seow Hiang, said, “Mr Liew’s vision and passion for Changi was an inspiration to the people of CAG and the airport community to always strive for excellence to deliver an exceptional Changi Experience. The result has been Changi Airport being recognised as the world’s most awarded airport.

“We are truly appreciative of Mr Liew’s dedication to growing Changi Airport over the years and to securing Singapore’s position as a major aviation hub. We wish him good health and the very best for his future.”

Liew on Thursday also resigned from his positions of senior international business adviser of Singapore investment company Temasek and a board member of Temasek Foundation. A spokesman of Temasek said in a statement, “We wish to record our deepest appreciation for the invaluable contributions that Mr Liew Mun Leong has made over the years. We greatly value his strong sense of duty and responsibility towards the organisations and companies that he has led and shaped.”

“We respect his desire to protect such iconic Singapore institutions from being dragged into his private and personal matter, which he has to address in his own time. We extend our sympathies to all parties affected, including Ms Parti Liyani, and wish them all well,” the spokesman added.

Government reviews ongoing

Liew’s decision to step down from all his public service and business roles – with immediate effect – came days after his ex-Indonesian helper was acquitted of all charges of stealing from Liew and his family.

Following the High Court decision last Friday, the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) on Sunday said it would study High Court judge Chan Seng Onn’s grounds to see if further action ought to be taken in the case.

The same day, the Ministry of Manpower said it was in consultation with the AGC to decide if further action ought to be taken; the ministry had already issued a caution to Liew for illegally deploying Parti, 46.

Meanwhile, the police also on Sunday said they are studying the judgment. “Several observations about police’s investigations have been raised. The police are looking into them.”

And on Tuesday, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said the government will review shortcomings which led to Parti’s criminal prosecution.

“Something has gone wrong in the chain of events. We have to look at that, and deal with what went wrong,” he said.

“We have to find out what happened, why it happened and then deal with it,” he added.

Liew, in a statement announcing his resignations on Thursday, said, “Should it be required, my family and I will continue to provide full co-operation to both AGC and the police...”

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