BARELY four months into his retirement, former Health’s Ministry (MOH) secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Chen Chaw Min has twice already landed a chairmanship post in listed Malaysian companies.
Recall that Dr Chen, 60, who retired from public service on Feb 4 was earlier appointed as the non-executive chairman of LKL International Bhd on March 1 prior to quitting his post in less than a month on March 29 citing other personal commitments.
But his experience was much sought after by Hong Seng Consolidated Bhd which yesterday (June 1) announced his appointment as the company’s new non-executive chairman with effect from the same day to succeed Datuk Teoh Hai Hin who has been re-designated as group managing director.
Dr Chen said he looked forward to working closely with fellow board members and the management team in supporting the group’s aspirations to deliver long-term shareholder value, especially by providing insights into the healthcare industry for the betterment of the group’s healthcare arm.
Meanwhile, Teoh envisages Hong Seng to forge ahead in its journey to transform into a conglomerate with diverse business segments under Dr Chen’s leadership.
“With the extensive experience and credibility possessed by Dr Chen, I am confident that Hong Seng will be able to flourish as a dynamic and competitive player in the industries that it is involved in,” enthused Teoh.
Hong Seng’s diversification into manufacturing and trading of gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks is surly an area where Dr Chen’s vast experience in the public health sector can come in handy.
Dr Chen possesses a Bachelor of Surveying from University of Technology, Malaysia, a Master’s in Business Administration from University of Illinois, US, and a PhD in Finance from University Putra Malaysia.
He served 33 years in the Malaysian civil service and has held many posts of importance in the government. His first posting was in the Rural Development Ministry while from 1990 onwards, he served in the Finance Ministry for 24 years in various divisions.
On April 25, 2014, he joined the Health Ministry as deputy secretary-general (finance) prior to being appointed as the secretary-general – the highest civil service position of a ministry – on July 4, 2015.
Previously, he held the position of chairman in ProtectHealth Malaysia, and was a board member of National Heart Institute (IJN), National Kenaf & Tobacco, and Clinical Research Malaysia.
He has also published in international and local finance journals, and presented papers in international conferences. – June 2, 2021
