Benny Lim Siang Hoe

In this Chinese name, the family name is Lim.

Benny Lim Siang Hoe DUBC PJG PPA(E) PPA(P) (born March 1957) is a former Singaporean civil servant and the incumbent chairman of the Housing and Development Board.

Benny Lim Siang Hoe DUBC PJG PPA(E) PPA(P)
Chairman of the Housing and Development Board
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 April 2023 (2023-04-01)
Preceded by	Bobby Chin Yoke Choong
Chairman of the National Parks Board
In office 1 August 2018 (2018-08-01) – 30 September 2023 (2023-09-30)
Preceded by	Christina Ong
Succeeded by	Loh Khum Yean
Director of the Internal Security Department
In office 1 April 1997 (1997-04-01) – 2004 (2004)
Preceded by	Chiang Chie Foo
Succeeded by	Pang Kin Keong
Personal details
Born	March 1957 (age 68) Terengganu, Malaya
Alma mater	London School of Economics and Political Science (MSc) National University of Singapore (BA)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	林雙河
Simplified Chinese	林双河
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Lín Shuānghé IPA [lǐn.ʂuáŋ.xɤ̌]

From 1997 to 2004, Lim was director of the Internal Security Department. Lim was permanent secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs (2005–2011), Prime Minister's Office (2011–2016), Ministry of National Development (2011–2016) and National Security Coordination Secretariat (2011–2016). Lim also served as a director of SBS Transit from 2018 to 2021,^[1][2] and chairman of Temasek Foundation from 2020 to 2024.^[3][4]

Early life and education

In March 1957, Lim was born in Terengganu, Malaya, and was the second son in his family. In 1959, Lim and his family moved to Singapore as his father, Henry Lim, was offered a job at Malayan Bitumen Products, located in Bukit Timah, His mother worked briefly as a nurse before becoming a homemaker after Lim was born. Lim and his family lived in Katong.^[5]

Lim received his early education at Siglap Primary School, and later moved on to Raffles Institution (RI). An active sports player, Lim represented RI at judo, discus and shot put competitions.^[6][7][8] A head prefect of RI, he obtained a Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level in 1973 and a Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level in 1975.^[9][10]

In 1981, under a police scholarship awarded by the Public Service Commission, Lim graduated from the National University of Singapore and obtained a Bachelor of Arts with honours in english literature. Lim proceeded to pursue graduate studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He graduated in 1990 with a Master of Science with distinction in political sociology.^[11][12]

Career

In 1975, Lim began his career as a police constable in the Singapore Police Force (SPF), inspired by his mother who was also a volunteer social worker.^[10]

On 1 October 1984, Lim was one of four officers from the Internal Security Department (ISD) to be promoted to deputy superintendent.^[13] He was later promoted to senior assistant commissioner of SPF and deputy director of ISD.^[12]

On 1 April 1997, Lim succeeded Chiang Chie Foo as director of ISD.^[12][14] On 1 January 2004, Lim assumed the portfolio of second permanent secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and promoted to permanent secretary a year later.^[15][16][17] In May 2005, Lim signed a memorandum of understanding with Riaz Mohammad Khan to increase collaboration between Pakistan and Singapore and combat terrorism.^[18][19]

On 1 September 2011, while concurrently permanent secretary for MHA, Lim succeeded Chiang as permanent secretary for the Prime Minister's Office.^[20][21] Two months later, Lim swapped portfolios with Tan Tee How, assuming the position of permanent secretary of the Ministry of National Development, while Tan assumed his position at MHA. Lim was also appointed as permanent secretary for the National Security Coordination Secretariat.^[22][23]

On 30 April 2016, after 37 years in the public service, Lim retired.^[24][25] The next day, Lim was appointed as co-managing director of Infocomm Development Authority, to prepare for the merger with the Media Development Authority.^[26] In a tribute to Lim, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Lim was “respected and loved as a leader” and added that "the ministers, in particular, will miss his political acumen, strong heart and clear mind".^[27][28]

On 1 August 2018, Lim was appointed as chairman of the National Parks Board (NParks), succeeding Christina Ong.^[29][30] On 1 April 2023, Lim succeeded Bobby Chin Yoke Choong as chairman of the Housing and Development Board.^[31][32] On 30 September 2023, Lim stepped down as chairman of NParks, and he was succeeded by Loh Khum Yean.^[33][34]

Personal life

Lim has two beagles.^[10] His younger brother, Raymond Lim, is a former Singaporean politician.^[5]

Awards and decorations

• Public Administration Medal (Silver), in 1987.^[35][36]
• Public Administration Medal (Gold), in 2002.^[37][38]
• Meritorious Service Medal, in 2010.^[39][40]
• Distinguished Service Order, in 2021.^[41][42]