Yeo Cheow Tong

Yeo Cheow Tong (simplified Chinese: 姚照东; traditional Chinese: 姚照東; pinyin: Yáo Zhào Dōng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Iâu Chiàu-tong; born 22 June 1947) is a former politician from Singapore. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), he served in the Cabinet from 1990 to 2006, and was a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1984 to 2011.

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Yeo.

Yeo Cheow Tong
姚照东
Minister for Transport[1]
In office November 2001 – 2006
Prime Minister	Goh Chok Tong Lee Hsien Loong
Preceded by	himself (post renamed from Minister for Communications and Information Technology)
Succeeded by	Raymond Lim
Minister for Communications and Information Technology
In office June 1999 – November 2001
Prime Minister	Goh Chok Tong
Preceded by	Mah Bow Tan
Succeeded by	himself (as Minister for Transport)
Minister for the Environment
In office January 1997 – June 1999
Prime Minister	Goh Chok Tong
Preceded by	Teo Chee Hean
Succeeded by	Lee Yock Suan
Minister for Health
In office January 1997 – June 1999
Prime Minister	Goh Chok Tong
Preceded by	George Yeo
Succeeded by	Lim Hng Kiang
Minister for Trade and Industry
In office January 1994 – January 1997
Prime Minister	Goh Chok Tong
Minister for Community Development
In office September 1991 – January 1994
Prime Minister	Goh Chok Tong
Preceded by	Seet Ai Mei
Succeeded by	Abdullah Tarmugi
Minister for Health
In office November 1990 – January 1994
Prime Minister	Goh Chok Tong
Preceded by	Richard Hu Tsu Tau
Succeeded by	George Yeo
Senior Minister of State for Health
In office September 1988 – November 1990
Prime Minister	Lee Kuan Yew
Personal details
Born	Yeo Cheow Tong 22 June 1947
Nationality	Singaporean
Spouse(s)	Helen Yeo-Tan Cheng Hoong
Children	3
Occupation	politician

Early life

Yeo was educated at Anglo-Chinese School, before receiving a Colombo Plan Scholarship[2] in 1967 to study at the University of Western Australia, where he received a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) degree.

Career

He worked for Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB) from 1972–75, before entering the private sector. He entered politics in 1984. At the 1984 general election, Yeo was elected a Member of Parliament for Hong Kah constituency. In 1985, he was appointed a Minister of State at the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 1988, Yeo became the Acting Minister for Health, before becoming a full member of the Cabinet in 1990. He went on to hold a number of different Cabinet positions including Minister of Health (1990–94, 1997–99), Minister for Community Development (1991–94), Minister for Trade and Industry (1994–97), Minister for the Environment (1997–99), Minister for Communications and Information Technology (1999–2001), and Minister for Transport (2001–06).

In June 2006, Yeo resigned from the Cabinet to return to the private sector. He continued to serve as a Member of Parliament for the Hong Kah Group Representation Constituency until 2011, when he retired from politics. He was succeeded by Alex Yam in the 2011 Singaporean general election.

Personal life

Yeo is married to lawyer Helen Yeo-Tan Cheng Hoong. The couple have three children and 6 grandchildren.

References

1. https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=29616579&privcapId=71545570
2. "Australia launches 'reverse' Colombo Plan". Asiaone. Retrieved 18 September 2018.

External links

• Appointments of the Cabinet of Singapore
• CV of Yeo Cheow Tong

Political offices
Preceded by Richard Hu Tsu Tau	Minister for Health 1988-1990 (Acting) 1990-1994	Succeeded by George Yeo
Preceded by Seet Ai Mei	Minister for Community Development 1991–1994	Succeeded by Abdullah Tarmugi
Preceded by ?	Minister for Trade and Industry 1994-1997	Succeeded by George Yeo
Preceded by George Yeo	Minister for Health 1997-1999	Succeeded by Lim Hng Kiang
Preceded by Teo Chee Hean	Minister for the Environment 1997-1999	Succeeded by Lee Yock Suan
Preceded by Mah Bow Tan	Minister for Communications and Information Technology 1999-2001	Succeeded by Post renamed to Minister for Transport
Preceded by Post renamed from Ministry of Communications and Information Technology	Minister for Transport 2001-2006	Succeeded by Raymond Lim