Mr. William Chee

William started working for the civil service when he was only 19 years old. Little did he expect that this would turn out to be a lifelong career. Today, 55 years later, this jovial man who looks like he’s discovered the fountain of youth is still with the Public Service Commission (PSC) – a department he’s worked at for most of his civil service career.

“I retired at 62 but when PSC asked if I wanted to do contract work, I said yes!” William explains.

The husband of a retired teacher and father of an adult son says he prefers to stay active and his current two-weeks-a-month work schedule suits him.
 

Recruiting and promoting talent
Over his 40-year career with PSC, William has held many different posts. Besides conducting recruitment talks and promoting civil service posts at career fairs, William helped with scholarship and promotion interviews conducted by the Commission Board.

Says William, “PSC used to manage all staff disciplinary matters, recruitment and promotion of staff from Divisions 1 to 4, and recruitment of scholars. Many scholars whom I helped recruit became top government leaders. Former Cabinet Minister Mr George Yeo, for instance, was a President’s Scholar. Minister for Education, Mr Ong Ye Kung, was also a scholar and my former PSC boss,” recalls William.
 

Fond memories
William remembers fondly the camaraderie with his PSC colleagues.

“We had a friendly rivalry among the units but a deep sense of family although we were a large organisation with 220 staff members. We enjoyed celebrating together the different ethnic festivals held at the Surrender Chamber. Not many organisations can say they could have events at such a significant venue.”

William reminisces over the canteen on the fourth floor where they could get cheap yet good food. It is a great convenience that he misses in the offices of today.

“The drinks stallholder would push a tea trolley twice a day to our offices. I remember some of the colleagues who really liked the kueh would wait for the man to appear at 10 am and 3 pm. They would grab their favourite kueh before it was sold out. If the kueh were all out, you could only buy coffee,” laughs William.
 

Sense of pride
With its beautiful façade and pillars, City Hall was always an iconic building to William.

“Although our offices were ordinary, I felt proud going to the office every day. We had fantastic views of the Padang which provided great backdrops for several important events involving local and foreign visitors.”

City Hall played another essential role not known by many. With its close proximity to the Padang, it was a handy location for preparations by government agencies for the National Day Parade.

William explains, “Before each parade held at the Padang, part of our third-floor offices would be cleared for use as a command centre by the Internal Security Department. Security and lighting equipment would be installed there. After all, our top government leaders would be at the parade – precautions had to be taken.”

William hopes that his recollections and those by other former staff can help make part of Singapore’s history come alive.

“It is not just the important historical events at City Hall that should be remembered. City Hall witnessed countless everyday events that helped shape Singapore. I am pleased to have played a small part.”