Indian-origin J Y Pillay was re-appointed as the top advisor to Singapore’s President Tony Tan Keng Yam. The 80-year-old Pillay was sworn in and re-appointed as the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Advisers (CPA) for a period of four years.
Mr Pillay was first appointed to the CPA on Jan 2, 2001. He has served as Chairman of the CPA since Sep 2, 2005. As Chairman of the CPA, Pillay will exercise the functions of the President’s office in the absence of President.
The CPA, formed in 1992, is an important body which advises the President in various areas, including safeguarding the past reserves of the Government, and key appointments in the public service.
The President of Singapore is highly obliged to consult the CPA before he vetoes the budgets of the Government and key Government-linked bodies, as well as the appointments of key personnel in public service and key Government-linked bodies.
