Phay Seng Whatt

In this Chinese name, the family name is Phay.
Phay Seng Whatt
PBC
Phay in 1961
Chairman of the Public Service Commission
In office
1 January 1962 (1962-01-01) – 19 June 1975 (1975-06-19)
Preceded byLim Eng Bee
Succeeded byTan Teck Chwee
Personal details
Born(1921-12-17)17 December 1921
Batu Pahat, Unfederated Malay States
Died21 April 2009(2009-04-21) (aged 87)
CitizenshipSingapore
SpouseDaisy Thong Siew Chin (m. 1944)
Children1
Alma materKing Edward VII College of Medicine
Raffles Institution
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese彭成發
Simplified Chinese彭成发
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinPéng Chéngfā
IPA[pʰə̌ŋ.ʈʂʰə̌ŋ.fá]

Phay Seng Whatt PBC (17 December 1921 – 21 April 2009) was the Chairman of Public Service Commission from January 1962 to June 1975.

Trained as a medical doctor, Phay began his career as an assistant bacteriologist, before resigning in 1952 to practice medicine privately.

Phay was also chairman of Chemical Industries (Far East) Limited (1976–1987), Metal Box Singapore (1978–1989), and Malayan Breweries (1983–1990).

Early life and education

On 17 December 1921, Phay was born in Batu Pahat, Unfederated Malay States.[1]

Phay studied at Victoria School and Raffles Institution, and he obtained a Junior Cambridge in 1938 and a Senior Cambridge in 1939.[2][3]

In May 1939, he was awarded a scholarship to study medicine at the King Edward VII College of Medicine.[4][5] In October 1948, Phay played chess during an intra-college games week.[6][7]

In June 1949, Phay qualified as medical doctor, after passing the final examination in medicine, surgery, and midwifery.[8]

Career

In July 1949, Phay was appointed as an assistant bacteriologist at Middleton Hospital,[9] and he was paid $530 monthly.[10][11] On 1 October 1951, Phay resigned from the municipal service, and joined the University of Malaya in Singapore as a tutor in clinical medicine.[12][13] In 1952, he resigned to practice medicine privately.[1]

On 15 January 1960, Phay was appointed as a member of the Public Service Commission (PSC).[1][14] In February 1960, Phay recommended Kwa Soon Chuan to serve as the deputy commissioner of valuation. In December 1960, Former Minister of National Development Ong Eng Guan questioned this appointment, and suggested that Kwa was given the appointment not by merit, but because Kwa was the brother-in-law of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.[15][16] A Commission of Inquiry was set up to inquire the alleged nepotism.[17] In January 1961, Phay testified that he was not influenced by any minister when he recommended Kwa for the position.[18][19][20]

On 22 September 1961, Phay was appointed as deputy chairman of PSC.[21][22] On 1 January 1962, he succeeded Lim Eng Bee as chairman.[23][24] In 1971, after selecting the first batch of Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship recipients, Phay wrote to the Minister for Defence Goh Keng Swee, informing Goh of the results.[25] Phay elaborated in his letter:

One area of misgiving which the students have is that they will not be properly utilised on their return. This is a real fear as these bright students will return under bond to a uniformed organisation, and their senior officers of lower quality may not utilise them properly. This will lead to considerable frustration. I would suggest that these scholarship students should receive your personal attention regarding their duties when they return.[25]

On 19 June 1975, Phay stepped down as chairman of PSC, and he was succeeded by Tan Teck Chwee.[26][27] From June 1976 to 30 November 1987,[28][29] Phay was chairman of Chemical Industries (Far East) Limited.[30][31]

On 15 November 1978, Phay was appointed as a director for Metal Box Singapore.[32][33] From 29 November 1978 to 14 July 1989, he was the chairman.[34][35]

On 25 January 1983, Phay was appointed as chairman of Malayan Breweries, succeeding Tan Chin Tuan.[36] On 27 February 1990, Phay stepped down, and he was replaced by Michael Fam.[37]

Personal life

In September 1944, Phay married Daisy Thong Siew Chin,[38] and they had a son.[39][40] On 6 July 1951, Phay applied for naturalisation.[41]

He died on 21 April 2009.

Awards and decorations

Honorary degrees

On 22 August 1975, Phay was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Singapore.[45][46]

Legacy

  • Daisy Phay–NYP Foundation Scholarship, a Nanyang Polytechnic scholarship established by the estate of Phay in 2010, with a donation of S$2.12 million.[47][48]
  • Daisy Phay TP Foundation Scholarship, a Temasek Polytechnic scholarship with a donation of S$2.12 million.[49]
  • Daisy Phay Foundation–RP Endowment Fund, a Republic Polytechnic endowment with a donation of S$2.12 million.[50][51]
  • Daisy Phay SP Foundation Award, a Singapore Polytechnic award with a donation of S$2.4 million.[52]
  • Daisy Phay Foundation Student Aid Grant, a Ngee Ann Polytechnic grant with a donation of S$2.12 million.[53]
  • Daisy Phay Foundation SHINE Scholarship[54][55]
  • Daisy Phay Foundation Ministry of Education Award[54][56]

References

  1. ^ a b c "DR. PHAY MEMBER OF P.S.C." The Straits Times. 17 January 1960. p. 4. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  2. ^ "CAMBRIDGE RESULTS: FULL LIST". The Malaya Tribune. 8 March 1938. p. 18. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  3. ^ "Special School Certificate". The Malaya Tribune. 9 March 1939. p. 5. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  4. ^ "MEDICAL COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS". The Malaya Tribune. 17 May 1939. p. 16. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  5. ^ "COLLEGE OF MEDICINE SCHOLARSHIPS". The Straits Times. 18 May 1939. p. 14. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  6. ^ "REUNION WEEK GAMES". The Straits Times. 24 October 1948. p. 11. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  7. ^ "College reunion week sport". Singapore Free Press. 19 October 1948. p. 7. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  8. ^ "16 PASS FINAL MEDICAL EXAMS". The Straits Times. 26 June 1949. p. 9. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  9. ^ Low, Mei Mei (9 August 1985). "Roll of honour". The Straits Times. p. 4. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  10. ^ "Local Doctor To Be Appointed". The Straits Times. 23 July 1949. p. 4. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  11. ^ "市府細菌學醫官一職决改委華人彭成發醫生" [Dr. Phay Seng Whatt was elected as the city's bacteriology medical officer]. Nanyang Siang Pau (in Traditional Chinese). 22 July 1949. p. 5. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  12. ^ "City's Deputy Health Officer resigns". Singapore Free Press. 15 August 1951. p. 1. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  13. ^ "RELEASED FROM SMC SERVICE". Singapore Free Press. 29 August 1951. p. 5. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  14. ^ "彭成發醫生榮任公務委員會委員" [Dr. Phay Seng Whatt appointed as a member of the Public Service Commission]. Nanyang Siang Pau (in Traditional Chinese). 16 January 1960. p. 5. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  15. ^ "LEE DARES ONG AGAIN". The Straits Times. 13 December 1960. p. 1. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 31 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  16. ^ "ONG: BIG DEBATE IS ON". The Straits Times. 24 December 1960. p. 1. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 31 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  17. ^ "Date for Ong probe team". The Straits Times. 1 January 1961. p. 1. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 31 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  18. ^ "THE HUNT GOES ON". The Straits Times. 26 January 1961. p. 1. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  19. ^ "PSC chief: I wasn't influenced by any Minister of Govt". The Straits Times. 26 January 1961. p. 2. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  20. ^ "'Menteri2 tidak menchuba mempengarohi P.S.C.'" ['Ministers are not trying to influence PSC']. Berita Harian (in Malay). 26 January 1961. p. 5. OCLC 53812840. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  21. ^ "公務委會副主席彭成發代林金山" [Phay Seng Whatt, Deputy Chairman of the Public Service Commission, on behalf of Lim Eng Bee]. Nanyang Siang Pau (in Traditional Chinese). 30 September 1961. p. 5. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  22. ^ "公務委員會 彭成發醫生 任副主席職" [Dr. Phay Seng Whatt appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Public Service Commission]. Sin Chew Jit Poh (in Traditional Chinese). 30 September 1961. p. 8. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  23. ^ "Deputy takes over from S'pore PSC chief". The Straits Times. 30 December 1961. p. 5. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  24. ^ "DR. PHAY IS NEW CHAIRMAN OF P.S.C." The Straits Times. 31 December 1961. p. 11. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  25. ^ a b Hsien Loong, Lee (15 April 2000). "SPEECH BY DPM LEE HSIEN LOONG AT THE SAF OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIP 30TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER ON 15 APRIL 2000 AT 7.30PM AT THE ISTANA BANQUET ROOM". National Archives of Singapore. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  26. ^ "Phay tipped for top job as envoy to Europe". The Straits Times. 19 June 1975. p. 6. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  27. ^ "Encik Tan dilantik sebagai pengerusi PSC mulai esok" [Mr Tan appointed as PSC chairman starting tomorrow]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 18 June 1975. p. 1. OCLC 53812840. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  28. ^ "People in business". New Nation. 17 June 1976. p. 15. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  29. ^ "Dilantik" [Appointed]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 17 June 1976. p. 5. OCLC 53812840. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  30. ^ "Chairman resigns". The Straits Times. 1 December 1987. p. 33. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  31. ^ "COMPANY BRIEFS". The Business Times. 1 December 1987. p. 17. OCLC 464696647. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  32. ^ "Four new faces for Metal Box board". The Business Times. 16 November 1978. p. 1. OCLC 464696647. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  33. ^ "Pengarah2 baru Metal Box dilantik" [New directors of Metal Box appointed]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 17 November 1978. p. 8. OCLC 53812840. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  34. ^ "Metal Box gets new chairman". The Business Times. 29 November 1978. p. 1. OCLC 464696647. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  35. ^ "Metal Box chairman to retire". The Business Times. 1 July 1989. p. 7. OCLC 464696647. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  36. ^ "Malayan Breweries and Wearnes get new chairmen". The Straits Times. 22 January 1983. p. 19. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  37. ^ "MBL names Michael Fam as new chairman". The Business Times. 1 March 1990. p. 3. OCLC 464696647. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  38. ^ "ENGAGEMENT". The Shonan Times. 11 September 1944. p. 2. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  39. ^ Kwee, Masie (1 May 1971). "'Bi-lingualism without tears' by Phay Yew Nghee". The Straits Times. p. 12. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  40. ^ "Education and choice of language". New Nation. 7 June 1971. p. 7. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  41. ^ "NATURALISATION". Singapore Free Press. 7 July 1951. p. 8. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  42. ^ Government Gazette Extraordinary: National Day Honours, 1963 (PDF). Vol. 5. Singapore: State of Singapore (Malaysia). 3 June 1963. p. 1117. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  43. ^ "Tun Yusof presents State awards to 212 people". The Straits Times. 3 March 1964. p. 20. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 31 October 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  44. ^ "Wartawan dan pemimpin buroh terima penghormatan" [Journalists and labour leaders receive honours]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 3 June 1963. p. 1. OCLC 53812840. Retrieved 31 October 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  45. ^ "HONOUR FOR DR PHAY". The Straits Times. 21 August 1975. p. 7. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  46. ^ "3 orang terpilih dapat anugerah ijazah kehormat" [3 people selected to receive honorary degrees]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 22 August 1975. p. 2. OCLC 53812840. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  47. ^ "List of Private Funded Bursaries, Awards & Grants" (PDF). Nanyang Polytechnic. September 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  48. ^ "Nanyang Polytechnic Annual Report 2014/2015". National Archives of Singapore. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  49. ^ "Scholarships". Temasek Polytechnic. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  50. ^ "Republic Polytechnic Annual Report 2014/2015" (PDF). Republic Polytechnic. July 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  51. ^ "Wall of Donors". Republic Polytechnic. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  52. ^ "SP Donors-Sponsored Bursary Awards". Singapore Polytechnic. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  53. ^ "EVERY STUDENT MATTERS". npnews. No. 2. Ngee Ann Polytechnic. 2014. p. 5. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  54. ^ a b "Financial Assistance, Scholarships and Bursaries". Yishun Innova Junior College. 3 November 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  55. ^ "EMPOWERING FUTURES: The Daisy Phay Foundation - SHINE Scholarship" (PDF). National University of Singapore. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  56. ^ "Scholarship and Financial Matters". St Andrew's Junior College. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
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