List of Hwa Chong Institution people explained

The following is a list of notable staff and alumni from Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) and its predecessor schools, The Chinese High School (TCHS) and Hwa Chong Junior College (HCJC).

Notable staff

• Chen Wen Hsi (陈文希), Singaporean pioneer artist; taught art at TCHS.^[1]
• Lao She (老舍), writer; taught at TCHS in 1929^[2]
• Lee Kong Chian (李光前), businessman and philanthropist; served as chairman of TCHS's board of directors from 1934 to 1956^[3]
• Lim Hak Tai (林学大), founder and first principal of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts; taught art and mathematics at TCHS^[4]
• Liu Kang (刘抗), oil painter; taught art at TCHS^[5]
• Tan Kah Kee (陈嘉庚), businessman and philanthropist; founded TCHS in 1918^[6]
• Tan Keong Choon (陈共存), businessman and philanthropist; Tan Kah Kee's nephew; founded HCJC and served as the first chairperson of its management committee from 1974 to 1996^{[7] [8]}
• Quah Chin Lai (柯进来), businessman and philanthropist; served as director in 1950s - 1960s. ^[9]

Notable alumni

Civil servants and politicians

Heads of State

• Ong Teng Cheong (王鼎昌), fifth President of Singapore; graduated from TCHS in 1955^{[10] [11]}

Active Singaporean Politicians

• Baey Yam Keng (马炎庆), Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and Ministry of Transport, former Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth; graduated from HCJC in 1988^[12]
• Chee Hong Tat (徐芳达), Minister of Transport, graduated from TCHS^[13]
• Grace Fu Hai Yien (傅海燕), Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and former Leader of the House; graduated from HCJC in 1981^[14]
• Koh Poh Koon (许宝琨), Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and Ministry of Manpower (Singapore); graduated from HCJC in 1990^[15]
• Lim Wee Kiak (林伟杰), MP for Sembawang GRC; graduated from TCHS in 1984 and from HCJC in 1986^[16]
• K Muralidharan Pillai, MP for Bukit Batok SMC; graduated from HCJC in 1985^[17]
• Sim Ann (沈颖), Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Communications and Information; graduated from HCJC in 1993^[18]
• Tin Pei Ling (陈佩玲), MP for MacPherson SMC; graduated from HCJC in 2001^[19]
• Tan Kiat How (陈杰豪), Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of National Development
• Hazel Poa, Non-constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) ^[20]
• Denise Phua, MP for Jalan Besar GRC & Mayor of Central Singapore District
• Tan Wu Meng, MP for Jurong GRC, Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Trade and Industry
• Henry Kwek, MP for Kebun Baru SMC, graduated from TCHS^[21]
• Louis Chua, MP for Sengkang GRC^[22]
• Melvin Yong, MP for Radin Mas SMC & Assistant Secretary-General of NTUC, graduated from TCHS in 1988^[23]
• Sitoh Yih Pin, MP for Potong Pasir SMC
• Ang Wei Neng, MP for West Coast GRC

Retired Singaporean Politicians

• Jek Yeun Thong (易润堂), former Minister for Labour, Minister for Culture,^[24] Minister for Science and Technology,^[25] and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and to Denmark; studied at TCHS but was expelled from school by the British colonial government in 1950^[26]
• Ker Sin Tze (柯新治), former Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and the Arts^[27]
• Yeo Guat Kwang (杨木光), Assistant Director-General of the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) and former MP; graduated from TCHS in 1977^{[28] [29]}
• Ng Chee Meng (黄志明), former Minister in the Prime Minister's Office; eighth Chief of Defence Force;^[30] graduated from HCJC^[31]
• Lee Yi Shyan (李奕贤), former MP for East Coast GRC; graduated from HCJC in 1980^[32]
• Sam Tan Chin Siong (陈振泉), former Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development; graduated from HCJC in 1976^[33]
• Leon Perera, former NCMP and MP for Aljunied GRC; graduated from HCJC^[34]

Singapore Armed Forces personnel

• Aaron Beng Yao Cheng (孟耀诚), current Chief of Defence Force;^[35] graduated from HCJC in 1999.
• Goh Si Hou (吴仕豪), former Chief of the Singapore Army;^[36] graduated from HCJC in 1996.
• Hoo Cher Mou (符策谋), former Chief of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF); graduated from HCJC in 1984^[37]
• Ng Chee Khern (黄志勤), former Chief of the RSAF; graduated from HCJC in 1983^[38]
• Ng Chee Peng (黄志平), former Chief of the Republic of Singapore Navy^[39]
• Ng Yat Chung (伍逸松), Chief Executive Officer of Neptune Orient Lines; fifth Chief of Defence Force; graduated from HCJC in 1979^[40]

Others

• Lim Chin Siong (林清祥), trade union leader; leftist politician of the PAP and Barisan Sosialis; studied at TCHS but was expelled from school by the British colonial government in 1952^[41]
• Yam Ah Mee (杨雅镁), former Chief Executive Director of the People's Association; former Chief of the Land Transport Authority; Returning Officer in the 2011 General Election^[42]
• Goh Meng Seng, leader of People's Power Party
• Lim Tean, Secretary-General of Peoples Voice

Business and entrepreneurs

• Shou Zi Chew, CEO of tech company TikTok.^[43]
• Jessica Tan, Executive Director and Co-CEO of Ping An Group.^[44]
• Calvin Cheng Ern Lee, former Nominated Member of Parliament and Chairman of Retech Group; graduated from TCHS and HCJC^[45]
• Min-Liang Tan, founder of tech company Razer.
• Olivia Lum Ooi Lin (林爱莲), founder of Hyflux; graduated from HCJC in the 1980s,^[46] former Nominated Member of Parliament
• Tan Chin Hwee (陈竞辉), CEO (Asia-Pacific) of Trafigura; graduated from HCJC^[47]
• Brandon Wade, founder of online dating websites; he studied at HCJC^[48]
• Wee Cho Yaw, Chairman of United Overseas Bank; studied at TCHS but his studies were disrupted by the Japanese invasion of Malaya and Singapore in 1941–1942^[49]
• Kenny Yap Kim Lee, founder of Qian Hu Corporation^[50]
• Tan Chin Hwee, businessman and business academic, member of Emerging Stronger Taskforce (EST) set up under the Future Economy Council (FEC)
• Quah Leong Guan (柯良元),^[51] Businessman of Hiap Leong Kee & Co Ltd^[52] graduated from TCHS in 1940.

Academics, scientists and writers

• Chen Xujing, historian, sociologist and university administrator^[53]
• Koh Buck Song, poet, writer and journalist; graduated from HCJC^[54]
• Madeleine Lee, poet^[55]
• Colin Cheong, award winning writer
• Thio Li-ann, former Nominated Member of Parliament^[56]

Sportspeople

• Benedict Tan, gold medal winner for sailing at the 1994 Asian Games and four-time SEA Games gold medalist; former Nominated Member of Parliament; medical director at the Singapore Sports Medicine Centre; graduated from HCJC
• Soh Rui Yong, long-distance runner who holds four national records in Singapore, winning gold at the SEA Games in 2017; graduated from TCHS^[57]

Arts, entertainment and media personalities

• Film, television and theatre:
  • Anthony Chen, film director; graduated from TCHS^[58]
  • Sharon Au, former MediaCorp actress; graduated from HCJC
  • Adam Chen, MediaCorp actor; graduated from TCHS^[59] and HCJC
  • Chua Lam, food critic, columnist and television personality
  • Kuo Pao Kun, playwright, theatre director and arts activist; attended TCHS in the 1950s^[60]
  • Ng Hui, MediaCorp actress; graduated from HCJC
  • Alan Tern, MediaCorp actor; graduated from TCHS and HCJC
  • Nelson Chia, co-founder of Nine Years Theatre^[61]
  • Woon Tai Ho, veteran media practitioner, TV producer, art collector and writer, founder of Channel NewsAsia^[62]
• Music
  • Bevlyn Khoo, jazz pop singer songwriter
  • Choo Huey, music conductor; graduated from TCHS in the late 1940s^[63]
  • Eric Moo Chii Yuan, singer-songwriter; studied at TCHS^[64]
  • Joel Tan, stage name Gentle Bones, singer-songwriter; graduated from HCI in 2012^[65]
  • Liang Wern Fook, music composer; graduated from HCJC
  • Lorraine Tan, singer-songwriter and founder of My Singapore Music Charity Education Project; graduated from HCJC^[66]
  • Lydia Tan Di Ya, female champion of singing contest Project SuperStar Season 2; graduated from HCJC^[67]
  • Ng Chee Yang, champion of singing contest Campus SuperStar Season 1; graduated from HCI in 2007^[68]
  • Tan Boon Wah, singer-songwriter^[69]
  • Tan Wee-Hsin, music conductor and violist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra; graduated from TCHS and HCJC
• Arts
  • Grace Quek, better known as Annabel Chong, web designer, artist and former pornographic actress; graduated from HCJC^[70]
  • Ho Ho Ying, expressionist painter and art critic; attended TCHS in the 1950s^[71]
  • Tan Swie Hian, artist; graduated from TCHS in 1964^[72]

Others

• Jane Lee, first woman from Southeast Asia to scale the Seven Summits; associate with McKinsey & Company; graduated from HCJC
• Lee Kin Mun, better known as mrbrown, blogger and political critic; graduated from HCJC

Notes and References

1. News: Chen Wen Hsi art exhibition at his old home in Kingsmead Road . 11 September 2019.
2. Web site: 寻找老舍在狮城的足迹 (In search of Lao She's footprints in the Lion City). 联合早报 (Lianhe Zaobao). 19 October 2007. blogpost. 24 July 2010. zh.
3. Web site: 教育家 (Educators). NUS Libraries. 17 September 2017. Chinese.
4. Web site: LIM HAK TAI Founder of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.. 2021-09-21. www.esplanade.com.
5. Web site: Tan, Bonny. Liu Kang. Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. 15 December 1997. 24 July 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111202081409/http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_158_2005-01-22.html. 2 December 2011.
6. Web site: 教育家 (Educators). NUS Libraries. 17 September 2017. Chinese.
7. Web site: In Memoriam - Mr Tan Keong Choon (1918-2015) . Hwa Chong Institution . 22 July 2019 . November 3, 2015.
8. Web site: Passing of Mr. Tan Keong Choon, Hwa Chong Junior College "Founding Father" . Hwa Chong Junior College Alumni . 22 July 2019 . November 4, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190722154807/http://hwachongjcalumni.org.sg/events/news/passing-of-mr-tan-keong-choon-hwa-chong-junior-college-founding-father . 22 July 2019 . dead .
9. NUS Libraries NUS Libraries
10. Web site: Chong. April. 25 March 2009. Teachers, ex-students, now colleagues. 25 March 2009. The Straits Times.
11. Web site: About Mr Ong Teng Cheong. 18 May 2014. ongtengcheong.com.
12. Web site: Mr Baey Yam Keng. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140724075205/http://www.parliament.gov.sg/mp/baey-yam-keng?viewcv=Baey%20Yam%20Keng. 24 July 2014. 17 May 2014. Parliament of Singapore.
13. Web site: Chee Hong Tat CV.
14. Web site: Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140513190822/http://www.parliament.gov.sg/mp/grace-fu-hai-yien?viewcv=Grace%20Fu%20Hai%20Yien. 13 May 2014. 17 May 2014. Parliament of Singapore.
15. Web site: CV of Dr Koh Poh Koon. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160109145605/http://www.parliament.gov.sg/sites/default/files/cv/Parliament%20CV2_Dr%20Koh%20Poh%20Koon.pdf. 9 January 2016. 28 July 2016. parliament.gov.sg. Parliament of Singapore.
16. Web site: Dr Lim Wee Kiak. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140518125643/http://www.parliament.gov.sg/mp/lim-wee-kiak?viewcv=Lim%20Wee%20Kiak. 18 May 2014. 17 May 2014. Parliament of Singapore.
17. Web site: Candidate_Muralidaran_Pillai_CV_Statement. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160429073151/https://www.pap.org.sg/upload/item/Events/2016/Candidate_Muralidaran_Pillai_CV_Statement.pdf. 29 April 2016. 8 May 2016. People's Action Party.
18. Web site: Ms Sim Ann. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140513212404/http://www.parliament.gov.sg/mp/sim-ann?viewcv=Sim%20Ann. 13 May 2014. 17 May 2014. Parliament of Singapore.
19. Web site: Ms Tin Pei Ling. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140518125655/http://www.parliament.gov.sg/mp/tin-pei-ling?viewcv=Tin%20Pei%20Ling. 18 May 2014. 17 May 2014. Parliament of Singapore.
20. Web site: migration. 2013-05-19. The fear fighter. 2020-07-25. The Straits Times. en.
21. Web site: 2020-07-25 . 27 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170327153028/http://www.parliament.gov.sg/sites/default/files/cv/Henry%20Kwek%20bio.pdf . KWEK HIAN CHUAN HENRY . 2017-03-27.
22. Web site: administrator. Louis Chua Kheng Wee. 2020-07-25. The Workers' Party of Singapore. en-US.
23. Web site: MELVIN YONG YIK CHYE 杨益财 . Parliament of Singapore.
24. Web site: 10 Men, 10 Years: A Decade of Nation-Building - Archives Online. www.nas.gov.sg.
25. Web site: hermesauto. 6 June 2018. PAP Old Guard minister Jek Yeun Thong dies, aged 87. The Straits Times.
26. Web site: Chua, Alvin. 29 August 2009. Jek Yeun Thong. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110406180816/http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1559_2009-08-30.html. 6 April 2011. 24 July 2010. Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore.
27. Book: Lee, Edwin. Singapore: The Unexpected Nation. 2008. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. 978-9812307965. 524.
28. Web site: 8 August 2017. NTUC unveils scheme to aid SME employees - Singapore Business Review. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170808225419/http://sbr.com.sg/hr-education/news/ntuc-unveils-scheme-aid-sme-employees. 8 August 2017.
29. Web site: 5 August 2012. Yeo Guat Kwang - Parliament Of Singapore. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110603054603/http://www.parliament.gov.sg/mp/yeo-guat-kwang?viewcv=Yeo+Guat+Kwang. 3 June 2011. archive.li.
30. Web site: Mr Ng Chee Meng. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160310211840/http://www.parliament.gov.sg/mp/ng-chee-meng. 10 March 2016. 19 March 2016. Parliament of Singapore.
31. Web site: 25 August 2014. 10 prominent Singaporeans who graduated from Hwa Chong Junior College. 19 March 2016. The Straits Times.
32. Web site: Mr Lee Yi Shyan. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924070737/http://www.parliament.gov.sg/mp/lee-yi-shyan?viewcv=Lee%20Yi%20Shyan. 24 September 2015. 17 May 2014. Parliament of Singapore.
33. Web site: Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140513155221/http://www.parliament.gov.sg/mp/sam-tan-chin-siong?viewcv=Sam%20Tan%20Chin%20Siong. 13 May 2014. 17 May 2014. Parliament of Singapore.
34. Web site: Leon Perera. 19 March 2016. The Workers' Party.
35. Web site: MINDEF News Release. 11 Aug 2000.
36. Web site: MINDEF News Release. 12 Aug 1997.
37. Web site: Chow. Jermyn. 4 February 2013. New Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Air Force. 18 May 2014. The Straits Times.
38. http://www.hci.sg/HCIWeb/hcjcalumni/batch89/register.php Registration List, 8th & 9th Batch Hwa Chong JC Reunion
39. Web site: Mr. Ng Chee Khern with younger brother Ng Chee Peng - BookSG - National Library Board, Singapore. 2021-09-21. eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
40. Web site: Annual Report 1978. 18 May 2014. National University of Singapore.
41. Web site: Wong. Hongyi. Lim Chin Siong. 17 May 2014. Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore.
42. Web site: Tan. DingXiang. 2011-05-09. Yammering online for Yam Ah Mee. 10 May 2011. theurbanwire.com.
43. Web site: 2023-04-20 . TikTok's CEO to Speak for the First Time Since Browbeating in Congress . 2023-04-21 . Gizmodo . en.
44. Web site: An interview with Ping An co-CEO Jessica Tan McKinsey . 2023-04-21 . www.mckinsey.com.
45. Web site: Education. Calvin Cheng.
46. Web site: Subramaniam. Shivaranjani. Olivia Lum. Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. 22 June 2009. 24 July 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090723060237/http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1535_2009-06-23.html. 23 July 2009.
47. News: Velloor. Ravi. In Good Company: Ace investor Tan Chin Hwee can't resist pull of mentoring. 11 August 2017. The Straits Times. 25 June 2017. Singapore.
48. Web site: Boss of controversial dating websites a PSC bond-breaker. AsiaOne News. 2 September 2015. 7 August 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20160307082056/http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110807-293254.html. 7 March 2016. live.
49. Web site: Chua. Alvin. Wee Cho Yaw. Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. 17 May 2014.
50. Web site: Hwa Chong Institution looks to the future as it celebrates centennial . 2023-01-30 . sg.news.yahoo.com . en-SG.
51. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/nysp19360120-1.2.43.5?qt=%22%E6%9F%AF%20%E8%89%AF%20%E5%85%83%22&q=%E2%80%9D%E6%9F%AF%E8%89%AF%E5%85%83%E2%80%9C%20
52. https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/government_records/record-details/808ff71d-dc01-11ec-8113-005056a7c0ea
53. Book: 我的父亲陈序经 (My Father, Chen Xujing). 1999. 广东人民出版社 (Guangdong People's Publishing House). 陈其津 (Chen, Qijin). zh.
54. Web site: Chua. Alvin. Koh Buck Song. Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. 17 May 2014.
55. Book: Klein, Ronald . Interlogue: Studies in Singapore Literature Volume 8: Interviews II . Ethos Books . 2009 . 9789810835910.
56. Web site: migration. 2014-12-03. Civil society members protest law professor's invitation to speak at human rights seminar. 2020-07-25. The Straits Times. en.
57. Web site: Auto. Hermes. 2021-09-23. 4 things to know about marathoner Soh Rui Yong, a colourful, controversial champion The Straits Times. 2022-01-07. www.straitstimes.com. en.
58. Web site: Singaporean director Anthony Chen says human relationships inspire him . 2023-01-19 . sg.style.yahoo.com . en-SG.
59. News: 31 August 2011 . 我的老师最难忘 . 22–23 . Lianhe Zaobao.
60. Book: Kuo, Pao Kun. Kuo Pao Kun

    . Kuo Pao Kun. Images at the Margins: A Collection of Kuo Pao Kun's Plays. Singapore. Times Books International. 2000.

61. Web site: 5 February 2014 . Sailing into theatre as a career . 19 January 2023 . AsiaOne . en.
62. Web site: Former TODAY and TNP editor PN Balji launches tell-all book. 2020-07-25. CNA. en.
63. Web site: Choo Hoey Infopedia. 2020-07-25. eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
64. Web site: Teo. Kian Giap. 18 November 2010. Interview with Eric Moo. 18 May 2014. Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore.
65. Web site: hermes. 30 May 2016. Local singer Gentle Bones ready to leave university to pursue music career. The Straits Times.
66. Web site: My Singapore 2013 Charity Concert. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140904005426/http://www.hwachongjcalumni.org.sg/events/upcoming-events?start=6. 4 September 2014. 22 June 2014. Hwa Chong Junior College Alumni.
67. News: 20 January 2007. One step closer to stardom. The Straits Times. Singapore.
68. Web site: Ling. Geraldine Haruka. Campus Superstar 2006 winner Ng Chee Yang scores 6As. AsiaOne. 8 March 2008. 18 May 2014.
69. Web site: 一举夺金马 陈文华感谢母校双语教育 早报 . 2023-01-19 . www.zaobao.com.sg . zh-Hans.
70. Web site: Chew. David. The meaning of 251. Today. 29 March 2007. 18 May 2014.
71. Web site: Ho Ho Ying Infopedia. 2020-07-25. eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
72. Web site: Low. Sze Wee. An Interview with Tan Swie Hian. tanswiehian.sg. 18 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140518084841/http://tanswiehian.sg/images/en/essays/interview_en.pdf. 18 May 2014. dead.