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Who is Vivian Balakrishnan? Biography of Singaporean Politician

Vivian Balakrishnan: A dedicated leader in Singapore’s political landscape

Vivian Balakrishnan is a notable Singaporean politician and diplomat, serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2015. A member of the People’s Action Party (PAP), he has been the Member of Parliament for the Cashew division of Holland–Bukit Timah GRC since 2006, having previously represented Ulu Pandan in Holland–Bukit Panjang GRC from 2001 to 2006. Balakrishnan has held several ministerial positions, including Minister for Community, Youth and Sports, and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. As a President’s Scholar, he specialized in ophthalmology, serving as medical director of the Singapore National Eye Centre and CEO of Singapore General Hospital. He launched his political career in the 2001 general election, winning a seat through a walkover and later becoming Minister of State for National Development.

Early Life and Education

Vivian Balakrishnan was born in 1961 in Singapore to an Indian Tamil father and a Chinese mother with roots in Fuqing, Fujian. He received his early education at Anglo-Chinese School and National Junior College. In 1980, he was awarded the prestigious President’s Scholarship, which allowed him to study medicine at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. While at NUS, he notably served two terms as the president of the NUS Student Union and later took on the role of chairman of the union council. Balakrishnan chose to specialize in ophthalmology for his postgraduate studies and became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1991.

Vivian Balakrishnan – Basic Information

Date of Birth: 1961

Place of Birth: Singapore

Education: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (President’s Scholarship)

Spouse: Joy Balakrishnan

Occupation: Politician, Diplomat, Former Ophthalmologist

Personal Life

Vivian Balakrishnan is married to Joy Balakrishnan, and together they have a daughter and three sons. Balakrishnan values family life and maintains a balance between his demanding political career and personal responsibilities. He often emphasizes the importance of education and civic duty to his children, reflecting his commitment to both family and public service.

Medical Career

From 1993 to 1995, Balakrishnan worked as a specialist senior registrar at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, where he focused on paediatric ophthalmology. Upon returning to Singapore, he became a consultant ophthalmologist at the Singapore National Eye Centre and National University Hospital, and in 1998, he was appointed as an associate professor of ophthalmology at the National University of Singapore.

In 1999, he took on the role of medical director at the Singapore National Eye Centre and later became the chief executive officer of Singapore General Hospital in 2000. Additionally, Balakrishnan served as the commanding officer of the 2nd Combat Support Hospital of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) from 1999 to 2002.

During the 1990s, he also hosted the television series Health Matters in Singapore.

Political Career

Vivian Balakrishnan entered politics in the 2001 general election, winning a seat in Holland–Bukit Panjang GRC as part of a five-member PAP team. He was appointed Minister of State for National Development and Chairman of the Remaking Singapore Committee in 2002, later serving as Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry.

In the 2006 election, he won in Holland–Bukit Timah GRC. As Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, he increased public assistance rates from $260 to $400 for single-person households. In the 2011 general election, he led a PAP team to a 60.1% victory.

Balakrishnan became Minister for the Environment and Water Resources in 2011 and later Minister for Foreign Affairs. He faced criticism over the use of data from the TraceTogether contact tracing app during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he took responsibility for misleading assurances about data use.

In September 2021, he was caught on a hot mic referring to NCMP Leong Mun Wai as “illiterate.” In 2023, Balakrishnan was investigated for renting state-owned bungalows at Ridout Road but found no wrongdoing.

Awards and Achievements

  • President’s Scholarship: Awarded for academic excellence, allowing him to study medicine at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
  • Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh: Recognized for his specialization in ophthalmology.
  • Ministerial Appointments: Served in various key ministerial roles, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, and Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, where he contributed to significant policy changes.
  • Public Assistance Scheme Improvement: Successfully raised public assistance rates, enhancing support for vulnerable populations in Singapore.
  • Television Host: Hosted the health series Health Matters in the 1990s, promoting public awareness on health issues.
  • Contributions to National Initiatives: Played a pivotal role in initiatives like the Smart Nation Initiative, promoting technology and innovation in Singapore.

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