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Han Cheng Fong

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In this Chinese name, the family name is Han.
Han Cheng Fong
PPA(E) PPA(P)
Chairman of the Central Provident Fund Board
In office
1 February 1979 (1979-02-01) – 12 October 1980 (1980-10-12)
Preceded byWilliam Cheng
Succeeded byTan Chok Kian
Personal details
BornFebruary 1942 (age 83)
Alma materUniversity of Birmingham (PhD, MSc)
University of Singapore (BSc)
Victoria School
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese韓禎豐
Simplified Chinese韩祯丰
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinHán Zhēnfēng
IPA[xǎn.ʈʂə́n.fə́ŋ]

Han Cheng Fong (born February 1942) is a real estate developer, businessman and former Singaporean civil servant. Han was known as the youngest chairman of the Central Provident Fund, where he served from 1979 to 1980.

Han also served as chairman of Raffles Holdings, Scotts Holdings, and Times Publishing Group. He was as director of Sembawang Shipyard (1977–1985),[1][2][a] Land Transport Authority (1995–1997),[5] and Parkway (1997–2000).[6][7]

Early life and education

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On 2 February 1942, Han was born in a Hainanese family.[8] He had four brothers and two sisters.[9][10] Han received his early education at Victoria School.[11][12]

In January 1965, under a State Scholarship,[13][14] Han graduated from the University of Singapore, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in physics.[15][16]

In September 1966, Han was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to study at the University of Birmingham.[17][18] Han graduated in 1969 with a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in theoretical physics.[16][19]

In March 1973, Han obtained a diploma in business administration from the University of Singapore.[20][21]

Civil career

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In 1970, Han joined the Singapore Civil Service, and worked in the Ministry of Science and Technology, serving as its deputy secretary.[16][22] In 1977, Han served as director of administration and management services in the Ministry of Education.[23] In 1978, Han announced that the ministry will release an instruction manual for principals on the policies and procedures needed to run a school.[24][25]

On 1 June 1978, Han took over William Cheng as permanent secretary for the Ministry of Labour.[26][27] In January 1979, Han led a team of nine to visit various companies island wide, conducting in-depth discussions on issues faced by the companies and how the ministry can reshaping labour policies to help them.[28][29]

On 1 February 1979, at the age of 37, Han was the youngest to be appointed as chairman of the Central Provident Fund.[30][31] On 12 October 1980, Han was succeeded by Tan Chok Kian.[32][33]

As Han had a personal desire to move to the private sector, he retired from his permanent secretary position on 1 September 1984, and was succeeded by Moh Siew Meng.[34][35]

Post-civil career

[edit]

Upon leaving the civil service, Han joined the Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore (PCS), serving as its deputy managing director.[16]

On 1 July 1987, Han was appointed as chairman of Sembawang Projects Engineering, a newly-formed subsidiary of Sembcorp, which focussed on Sembcorp's on-shore businesses.[36]

On 1 July 1989, Han left PCS and joined DBS Land (now merged into CapitaLand) as its managing director.[37][38][39] During his tenure, Han signed numerous agreements with other companies to develop real estate, such as with Tropical Resorts to develop Laguna Golf Bintan located on Bintan Island, and with Straits Steamship Land (now merged into KeppelLand) to develop a S$360 million 28-storey office building at 20 Cecil Street.[40][41]

In 1996, Han was appointed as group chief executive officer of DBS Land and chairman of Raffles Holdings.[42] In March 1999, he was appointed as chairman of Scotts Holdings.[43] On 18 April 2000, Han left DBS Land.[44][45] Later in April and May, Han also resigned as chairman of Raffles and Scotts.[46][47]

In a shocking move, Han joined rival Centrepoint Properties (CP) in November 2000, expanding the group's portfolio in Australia.[48][49] Shortly after, in May 2001, Han was appointed as chief executive officer of CP.[50][51] In March 2002, Han stepped down as CEO and became managing director of parent company Fraser and Neave (F&N).[52][53] In 2006, Han succeeded Michael Fam as CEO of F&N,[54][55] and was appointed as chairman of the Times Publishing Group.[56][57] However, in October 2007, citing differences in opinion with the board of directors, Han resigned from F&N.[58][59][60] In addition to his salary of S$3.8 million, Han was also given a parting gift of S$5.05 million.[61][62]

In November 2007, Han was appointed as chief executive officer of Far East International, the China division of the Sino Group.[63] After his contract ended, Han jointly owned Brilliance International Development, a real estate development company, with a Chinese developer based in Hong Kong. In 2011, Han announced a S$278 million mixed-commercial development in Qingyang, Chengdu.[64][65] In 2012, Han announced the launch of another mixed-use development in Yinchuan, Ningxia.[66][67] In 2017, Han said he recouped his costs and made profits, after selling most of the units in the developments. As such, Han announced he will retire as a real estate developer.[68]

Personal life

[edit]

Han is married to Tan Seng Too.[9][10] His family lives in the Windsor Park estate, off Upper Thomson Road.[69][70]

Han is an avid golf player, and took part in tournaments organised by Lianhe Zaobao and The Business Times throughout his career.[71][72][73]

During his tenure at Fraser and Neave, Han enjoyed discounts to purchase real estate developments by the company. This included a S$1.6 million unit in Sentosa Cove, bought in 2005 with a 1.5% discount,[74][75] and a S$758,190 condominium unit in Clementi, bought in 2007 with a 3.5% discount.[76]

Notes

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  1. ^ Part of SembCorp Marine, listed on the Singapore Exchange as S51.[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ "PEOPLE IN BUSINESS". The Business Times. 3 December 1977. p. 4. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  2. ^ "COMPANY BRIEFS". The Business Times. 4 May 1985. p. 11. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  3. ^ Chan, Dennis (10 November 1999). "5-for-1 stock split for Jurong Shipyard". The Straits Times. p. 73. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  4. ^ Hand, Marcus (1 May 2023). "Seatrium is born from Keppel O&M and Sembcorp Marine". Seatrade Communications. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  5. ^ "Head of SMRT named chairman of new land transport board". The Straits Times. 1 September 1995. p. 3. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  6. ^ "Parkway appoints 3 non-exec directors". The Business Times. 30 August 1997. p. 8. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  7. ^ "HAN CHENG FONG LEAVES PARKWAY". The Straits Times. 29 April 2000. p. 87. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  8. ^ Leong, Weng Kam (28 September 2013). "S'pore Hainanese heritage explored in 2 new books". The Straits Times. p. 16. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Obituaries". The Straits Times. 16 May 1990. p. 34. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Obituaries". The Straits Times. 17 August 2000. p. 48. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  11. ^ "League of Extraordinary Victorians". Victoria School. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  12. ^ "Changing attitudes with social pressure". The Straits Times. 7 August 1981. p. 18. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  13. ^ Sung, Bailyne (22 May 1977). "The Whiz Kids of Yesteryear". The Straits Times. p. 11. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  14. ^ "New post for Han at shipyard". The Straits Times. 5 April 1979. p. 9. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  15. ^ "BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONS) RESULTS". The Straits Times. 3 March 1965. p. 9. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  16. ^ a b c d Ortega, Benny (30 August 1984). "Dr Han moves to Petrochemical Corp". Singapore Monitor. p. 2. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  17. ^ "Awards for study in British varsities this year". The Straits Times. 5 September 1966. p. 5. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  18. ^ "10 pelajar Malaysia mendapat biasiswa ka-Britain" [10 Malaysian students receive British scholarships]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 5 September 1966. p. 8. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  19. ^ Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd Annual Report 2005/2006 (PDF) (Report). 2006. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  20. ^ "24 pass in Business Administration". The Straits Times. 17 April 1973. p. 13. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  21. ^ "University of Singapore examination results". New Nation. 18 April 1973. p. 5. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  22. ^ "Dr Toh leads team of scientists to Seoul". The Straits Times. 25 September 1973. p. 5. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  23. ^ "Solving problems on the spot..." New Nation. 5 February 1977. p. 4. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  24. ^ "Manual on how to run a school". New Nation. 3 March 1978. p. 4. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  25. ^ "Kementerian akan terbitkan buku pedoman pengetua sekolah" [Ministry to publish guidebook for school principals]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 4 March 1978. p. 2. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  26. ^ "Senior govt officers in new reshuffle". The Straits Times. 1 June 1978. p. 13. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  27. ^ "Dr Han takes over". New Nation. 26 August 1978. p. 1. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  28. ^ George, Joseph (9 January 1979). "Labour Ministry starts drive 'to know firms better'". The Straits Times. p. 9. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  29. ^ "Kementerian mula tinjau masalah buruh" [Ministry begins reviewing labour issues]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 9 January 1979. p. 6. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  30. ^ "CPF gets its youngest-ever chairman". The Business Times. 1 February 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  31. ^ "CPF BOARD CHAIRMAN RETIRES TODAY". The Straits Times. 1 February 1979. p. 11. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  32. ^ "Chairman of Savings Bank may head CPF". The Business Times. 9 October 1980. p. 1. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  33. ^ "POSB CHIEF TAKES OVER AS CHAIRMAN OF CPF BOARD". The Straits Times. 2 November 1980. p. 15. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  34. ^ "New Permanent Secretary". The Straits Times. 2 September 1984. p. 17. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  35. ^ Ismail Pantek (30 March 1996). "Cemerlang walau tiada pengalaman di bidang hartanah" [Excellent even without experience in real estate]. Berita Harian (in Malay). p. 19. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  36. ^ "Sembawang Engineering forms new company". The Business Times. 15 July 1987. p. 3. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  37. ^ "Han Cheng Fong appointed MD of DBS Land". The Business Times. 21 June 1989. p. 3. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  38. ^ "Petrochem top exec to join DBS Land as its MD". The Straits Times. 24 June 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  39. ^ "发展银行置地委任韩祯丰为董事经理" [DBS Land appoints Han Cheng Fong as managing director]. Lianhe Zaobao (in Chinese). 22 June 1989. p. 20. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  40. ^ "DBS Land, Wah Chang unit to develop resort in Bintan". The Straits Times. 17 August 1993. p. 39. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  41. ^ "'People-friendly' building at Cecil St". The Straits Times. 26 June 1990. p. 39. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  42. ^ "Some changes at the top in DBS Land". The Business Times. 3 January 1996. p. 13. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  43. ^ "HAN CHENG FONG IS SCOTTS CHAIRMAN". The Straits Times. 10 March 1999. p. 61. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  44. ^ Lor, Suki (18 April 2000). "Han Cheng Fong leaves DBS Land". The Straits Times. p. 62. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  45. ^ Rashiwala, Kalpana (18 April 2000). "Han Cheng Fong leaves DBS Land after 11 years". The Business Times. p. 1. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  46. ^ "Raffles says Han resigns from board". Reuters. 4 May 2000.
  47. ^ "Han Cheng Fong quits Parkway, Ascott". The Business Times. 29 April 2000. p. 5. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  48. ^ Ooi, Teresa (10 November 2000). "Dr Han stuns with Centrepoint job". The Australian.
  49. ^ "Han Cheng Fong joins Centrepoint as consultant". The Straits Times. 9 November 2000. p. 15. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  50. ^ Lee, Han Shih (26 April 2001). "The return of Han Cheng Fong". The Business Times. p. 2. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  51. ^ "Ex-DBS Land man heads Centrepoint Properties". Today. 1 May 2001. p. 15. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  52. ^ "Han Cheng Fong to be F&N's joint managing director". The Business Times. 29 March 2002. p. 1. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  53. ^ "Han Cheng Fong giving up CEO job". The Straits Times. 29 March 2002. p. 15. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  54. ^ Chua, Jean (2 August 2005). "Michael Fam to make way for Han Cheng Fong". The Business Times. p. 4. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  55. ^ "Han to become CEO of F&N". Today. 2 August 2005. p. 20. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  56. ^ Tay, Erica. "F&N chief to head Times Publishing's board". The Straits Times. p. 24. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  57. ^ "Times Pub gets new chairman". The Business Times. 8 March 2006. p. 7. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  58. ^ Dahinten, Jan; Lim, Kevin (5 October 2007). "Singapore's Fraser & Neave CEO resigns". Reuters. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  59. ^ Raj, Conrad (6 October 2007). "F&N CEO quits over differences with board". The Business Times. p. 1. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  60. ^ Cheam, Jessica (6 October 2007). "F&N chief quits due to 'differences of opinion'". The Straits Times. p. 122. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  61. ^ Raj, Conrad (9 January 2008). "F&N reveals $5m parting gift for former CEO Han". The Business Times. p. 2. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  62. ^ Cheow, Xin Yi (31 December 2009). "Ex-SGX boss gets special $1.5m bonus". Today. p. 70. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  63. ^ Lee, Su Shyan (7 November 2007). "Ex-F&N chief joins Ng Teng Fong's property business". The Straits Times. p. 67. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  64. ^ Teo, Esther (7 October 2011). "S'pore property veteran embarks on China project". The Straits Times. p. 24. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  65. ^ Raj, Conrad (7 October 2011). "Property veteran Han gets China itch". Today. p. 56. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  66. ^ Teo, Esther (17 August 2012). "Property veteran plans giant mixed-use project in China". The Straits Times. p. 17. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  67. ^ Zeinab Yusuf Saiwalla (17 August 2012). "Han Cheng Fong into his 2nd China project". The Business Times. p. 10. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  68. ^ Lee, Xin En (1 April 2017). "Developer to 'hang up his boots'". The Straits Times. p. 5. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  69. ^ "Frasers Property (UK) Limited People". Companies House. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  70. ^ Han, Cheng Fong (23 October 2013). "Do more to curb monkey population". The Straits Times. p. 24. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  71. ^ "Lianhe Zaobao Golf Day '92". The Business Times. 12 October 1992. p. 8. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  72. ^ "Lianhe Zaobao Golf Day '93". The Business Times. 12 August 1993. p. 25. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  73. ^ "The Business Times–Lancôme 18th Anniversary Golf Tournament". The Business Times. 25 May 1994. p. 14. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  74. ^ Shankari, Uma (24 September 2005). "F&N directors snap up 3 Sentosa condo units". The Business Times. p. 5. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  75. ^ Teo, Joyce (24 September 2005). "4 units of Sentosa Cove condo sold". The Straits Times. p. 36. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  76. ^ "F&N CEO buys ClementiWoods condo unit". The Business Times. 20 January 2007. p. 4. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
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