Han Eng Juan PPA(E) PPA(P) PP PBS is a Singaporean former civil servant and former major-general who served as Chief of Army from 1995 to 1998.[2][3]

Han Eng Juan

Native name
韩瑛元
Born1955 (age 68–69)[1]
Allegiance Singapore
Service / branch Singapore Army
Years of service1973–1998
RankMajor-General
AwardsSee awards and decorations

Education

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Han was awarded a Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship in 1973 and graduated with a Master of Science.[4][5][6]

Military career

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In 1973, Han enlisted in the SAF, and served as a armour officer in the Singapore Army. During his career in the army, Han held various commands such as Head, Training Development Branch; Commanding Officer, 46 Singapore Armoured Regiment; Commander, Singapore Armoured Brigade; Chief Armour Officer, Commander, 3rd Division; Assistant Chief of General Staff (Personnel), Assistant Chief of General Staff (Training) and Chief of Staff (General Staff).[7][8][9]

Han was promoted from the rank of major to lieutenant-colonel in 1984 and to the rank of brigadier-general in 1993.[8][10]

On 1 May 1995, Han succeeded Lim Neo Chian as the Chief of Army.[6][11][12] Under his leadership, the operational readiness of the army was enhanced, through the acquisition and production of the BIONIX AFV and upgrading of the Ultra M113.[7] Land exercises between Singapore and Malaysia were also upgraded in scale to accommodate a more realistic training for both armies.[13] In 1995, Han led the first SAF delegation to Vietnam, aimed to build mutual understanding and cooperation between both countries and the region, and in 1997, he officiated the first bilateral exercise between armies from Singapore and Thailand.[14][15]

On 1 July 1996, Han was promoted from the rank of brigadier-general to major-general.[16]

During his term in the military, Han also served as a board member of the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation and the Economic Development Board.[17][18]

On 30 June 1998, Han left the military and was succeeded by Lim Chuan Poh.[7][19]

Post-military career

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After leaving the army, Han joined the Land Transport Authority as its chief executive officer.[7][20]

On 28 August 1998, when the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) was still in its testing phase, 1,562 motorists were charged erroneously, ranging from S$0.5 to S$3. Han apologised for error, and announced that a S$10 CashCard will be sent to all motorists involved as a goodwill gesture.[21] Under his leadership, new ERP gantries were constructed and changes to the ERP timing and charges were adjusted to optimise traffic and road usage.[22][23][24]

On 15 July 2003, Han retired from the public service.[25][26]

Personal life

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Han is married with one child.[27]

Awards and decorations

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References

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  1. ^ "THE SENIOR PROMOTIONS... WHO'S WHO". Singapore Monitor. 28 June 1984. p. 2. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  2. ^ Nathan, Dominic (8 December 1992). "Navy chief Teo Chee Hean resigns". The Straits Times. p. 1. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Navy chief to quit post to join SMRT as managing director". The Straits Times. 9 March 1996. p. 3. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  4. ^ "This general is the youngest". The Straits Times. 19 October 2024. p. 14. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Some SAF Overseas scholars and where they are today". The Straits Times. 21 September 1990. p. 23. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b 张, 明亮 (19 January 1995). "武装部队高级领导层人事变动 黄维彬将转任公积金局副主席马士强7月起接任三军总长". Lianhe Zaobao. p. 3. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d "Change of Command for the Chief of Army and the Chief of Air Force" (PDF). www.nas.gov.sg. 30 June 1998. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  8. ^ a b "COL LEE HSIEN LOONG TOPS LIST IN MAJOR PROMOTION EXERCISE". Singapore Monitor. 28 June 1984. p. 2.
  9. ^ "Tapes of martial music go on sale". The Straits Times. 28 June 1986. p. 13. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Chief of Navy promoted". The Straits Times. 30 June 1993. p. 1. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  11. ^ "Two top SAF officers to take on boardroom jobs". The Business Times. 19 January 1995. p. 2. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  12. ^ Mathew, Pereira (2 April 1995). "Systematic renewal of top brass vital for SAF: Lt-Gen Ng". The Straits Times. p. 26. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  13. ^ Jimmy, Yap (7 July 1995). "Joint exercise upgrading to be staggered". The Straits Times. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Chief of Army leads first SAF delegation to Vietnam for visit". The Straits Times. 15 July 1995. p. 29. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  15. ^ "First Singapore-Thai army exercise". The Straits Times. 20 December 1997. p. 57. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Defence chief heads list of 653 officers to be promoted". The Straits Times. 28 June 1996. p. 1. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  17. ^ "Michael Fam leaves MRTC, his deputy D'Aranjo takes over". The Straits Times. 3 December 1991. p. 40. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  18. ^ "EDB names 4 new board members". The Straits Times. 14 February 1994. p. 31. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Army and air force to get new chiefs in July". The Straits Times. 4 April 1998. p. 1. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  20. ^ "Former army chief is new LTA head". The Business Times. 1 July 1998. p. 2. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  21. ^ Karamjit, Kaur (29 August 1998). "Motorists charged in ERP slip-up". The Straits Times. p. 3. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  22. ^ Marissa, Chew (21 April 1999). "Seven more ERP gantries to go up in September". The Business Times. p. 6. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  23. ^ Karamjit, Kaur (10 September 1998). "Changes to rates for ERP likely". The Straits Times. p. 3.
  24. ^ Eugene, Low (10 September 1998). "ERP system has done very well and will benefit economy: Mah". The Business Times. p. 4. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  25. ^ "Appointment of Chief Executive". www.nas.gov.sg. 6 June 2003. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  26. ^ "LTA gets new chief executive". The Business Times. 7 June 2003. p. 9. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  27. ^ "Dad headed army but son prefers navy". The Straits Times. 20 August 2003. p. 6. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  28. ^ "Public Service Star for 30 people". The Straits Times. 9 August 1996. p. 43. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  29. ^ "A proud moment for award recipients". The Straits Times. 9 August 1988. p. 13. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  30. ^ "National Day Honours List". The Straits Times. 9 August 1988. p. 13. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  31. ^ "696 in the National Day awards list". The Straits Times. 8 September 1983. p. 9. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  32. ^ "PMO | Recipients". Prime Minister's Office. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
Military offices
Preceded by
Major-General Lim Neo Chian
Chief of the Singapore Army
1 May 1995 – 30 June 1998
Succeeded by
Brigadier-General Lim Chuan Poh