Xinglun Holdings President Lee Chian Huey Elected New SBF Chairman

Lee Chian Huey, president of Xinglun Holdings, has been elected the new chairman of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), succeeding former chairman Lim Ming Song, who had earlier announced a temporary step aside and would not seek re-election.

The federation held its 24th Annual General Meeting on Wednesday (June 24) and elected its 13th Council, which will serve a two-year term until 2028.

In a statement, the federation said the new Council has 24 members, including 12 elected council members, 11 representatives from industry associations and chambers, and one co-opted member.

There are six new council members in the new Council, including Adam Click, president of AmCham Singapore; Mos Siong, president of the Restaurant Association of Singapore; Lee Teck Meng, president of SGTech; and Suhaimi Zainul-Abidin, chief executive of hedge fund Quantedge Capital.

During the AGM, the federation also held the 5th Future Ready Business dialogue, with Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing as guest of honour.

The dialogue, themed “Whole-of-system readiness: what must governments and businesses change?”, brought together many corporate executives and policymakers to discuss how businesses can strengthen resilience, build future-ready capabilities and cope with growing uncertainty.

Lee Chian Huey: ensure businesses stay competitive and resilient for the future

New chairman Lee Chian Huey is also a Nominated Member of Parliament. In the statement, he said geopolitical tensions, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and shifts in trade patterns are reshaping the global economy, creating both challenges and opportunities for businesses.

Lee said: “My top priority is to ensure businesses remain competitive, resilient and future-ready. We will work closely with businesses, government and industry partners to develop practical solutions, create an environment conducive to business growth, and help companies build the capabilities needed for innovation, internationalisation and steady growth.”

He also noted that Singapore will chair ASEAN next year, offering a good opportunity to deepen regional economic integration and strengthen ASEAN as a key engine of global growth. “The federation will work with partners across the region to turn these opportunities into real commercial outcomes, and help ASEAN become more connected, innovative and sustainable.”

Lee had previously served as the federation’s vice-chairman and treasurer. He also acted as chairman while Lim Ming Song was temporarily stepping aside.

Lim, 71, said in a statement in May that after his chairman term, which ended on June 24, he would not seek re-election. He had earlier temporarily stepped down from several roles, including SBF chairman and executive chairman and director of Pacific International Lines, to deal with allegations brought against him by the US Department of Justice. Earlier, Lianhe Zaobao reported that US authorities accused him of allegedly taking part in a scheme to manipulate dry container prices.