From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mah Bow Tan (Chinese: 马宝山, Pinyin: Mǎ Bǎoshān, born September 12, 1948) is the Minister for National Development of Singapore. He is also the elected Member of Parliament of Tampines Group Representation Constituency (GRC) for the People's Action Party. Mah has led the team since its formation in 1988 and he was the Minister for Communications, Minister for the Environment, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Minister of State for Communications and Information.

Bow Tan was educated at Saint Joseph's Institution. He received the President's and Colombo Plan Scholarships to study at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). He graduated in 1971 with First Class Honours in Industrial engineering, winning the University Medal (the prize for the top student in each department). He also undertook a Master of Engineering degree in Operations Research in 1973. He was also recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate by University of New South Wales in 2001.

Mah started his career at the Singapore Bus Service (SBS) in 1973. He was promoted to General Manager and served until 1983. He was also seconded to the Singapore News and Publications Ltd (SNPL) as the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Monitor. He was also the Group General Manager and Group General Manager (Co-ordination) of Singapore Press Holdings from 1985 to 1988. Mah has held several public service positions; serving as Chairman to NTUC Comfort from 1983 to 1986, Chairman of the National Productivity Board, National Productivity Council, Skills Redevelopment Fund Advisory Council and the former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Singapore Institute of Labour Studies from 1990 to 2002.

Mah entered the political scene when he was elected one of three Members of Parliament (MP) for the Tampines GRC in 1988 winning 61% of the vote, after losing to opposition politician Chiam See Tong in the 1984 elections in Potong Pasir. He was re-elected as MP for Tampines in 1991 general election of 59.48%, a walkover in the 1997 general election, 2001 general election with a voter percentage of 73.34% against the Singapore Democratic Alliance and his party received 68.51% of the votes in the 2006 general election against the Singapore Democratic Alliance. Since then, he has held several important ministerial posts, including Minister for Trade and Industry, Minister for Communications, Minister for the Environment, and most currently, Minister for National Development.

He is married to Dr. Sheryn Kaye Von Senden and has two sons and two daughters. Mah enjoys playing golf, traveling, reading and is a football fan.

• Official profile