The Singapore Army welcomed its new Chief of Army today as Major-General (MG) Perry Lim Cheng Yeow handed over the Symbol of Command to Brigadier-General (BG) Melvyn Ong Su Kiat, at a Change of Command Parade held this evening at Pasir Laba Camp.

During the Parade, MG Lim reviewed the Guard of Honour contingents comprising soldiers from the Commando and Guards formations, and 10 supporting contingents from across the Army's different Formations.

The new Chief of Army, BG Ong, 40, joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 1994 and was awarded the SAF Overseas Scholarship. He graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with a Bachelor of Science (Second Class Honours) in Economics, and a Master of Science.

In the course of his military career, BG Ong has held, amongst others, the appointments of Commander 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade and Head Joint Plans and Transformation Department. In 2011, BG Ong led the SAF’s earthquake relief efforts in Christchurch, New Zealand as Singapore’s Contingent Commander. In August last year, he took over as the Chief Guards Officer of the Singapore Guards Formation and was instrumental in the establishment of the Changi Regional Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (Changi RHCC). This year, BG Ong served as the Chairman of the Golden Jubilee National Day Parade 15 Executive Committee.

The change of command is part of the SAF's continued process of leadership renewal. The parade was witnessed by Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng, and attended by senior SAF officers and servicemen from the Army.