SINGAPORE, 13 February 2023 —The Singapore Academy of Law (“SAL”) today announced the appointment of Mr Yeong Zee Kin as its Chief Executive. Mr Yeong, currently Assistant Chief Executive (Data Innovation and Protection) at the Infocomm Media Development Authority (“IMDA”) and Deputy Commissioner of the Personal Data Protection Commission (“PDPC”), will join SAL on 1 April 2023.

Mr Yeong is an internationally recognised expert in AI ethics and data privacy issues. Through his work with IMDA, he has helped position Singapore as a thought leader in Responsible AI by developing forward-thinking governance to support industry adoption of AI.  He has also developed PDPC’s global reputation as a thought leader in data-driven technology policies and as an engaged regulator that supports innovation.

Mr Yeong, 50, holds a Master of Laws in Computer and Communications Law from Queen Mary University of London and completed his undergraduate law degree at the National University of Singapore. His experience as a Technology, Media and Telecommunications lawyer spans both the private and public sectors. He has spoken and published in areas relating to technology regulation, data protection, electronic discovery and evidence, and intellectual property, as well as legal issues relating to Blockchain and AI deployment.

He commenced his career as a Deputy Public Prosecutor and State Counsel with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (“AGC”) and was formerly a partner in Rajah & Tann LLP's iTec (intellectual property, technology, entertainment, and communications) practice group. Prior to taking up his current appointment at IMDA, he was Senior State Counsel and Director of Technology Law in the Civil Division of AGC and was also legal advisor to the Smart Nation Programme Office and the Cyber Security Agency. Before that, he was Senior Assistant Registrar and CIO of the Supreme Court, during which time he worked tirelessly to keep Singapore at the forefront of court technology.

Mr Yeong is not unfamiliar with SAL. Between 2003 and 2005, he was seconded from AGC to SAL where he headed the LawNet Secretariat and managed the research portal’s operations. He was appointed to the SAL Senate in 2017 and has served on various SAL committees, including the TechLaw.Fest Steering Committee, the LawNet Management Committee and the IT Security Steering Committee. Mr Yeong was awarded The Public Service Medal (COVID-19) in 2022 and The Public Service Medal in 2017 in recognition of his contributions to SAL.

The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, who is President, SAL, said, “We are pleased to welcome Zee Kin back to SAL. Although his secondment to SAL ended nearly 20 years ago, Zee Kin has never really left. He has continued to contribute to many SAL tech initiatives like the annual TechLaw.Fest conference and the further development of LawNet. We are therefore excited by the immense potential that his vast expertise can contribute to SAL’s transformation journey and its efforts to support the legal profession, at a time when technology continues to drive the practice of law and administration of justice.”

Mr Yeong said, “I am deeply honoured to join the SAL leadership on the Academy’s transformation journey. Building on the momentum started by the Chief Executives before me, our goal is for the Academy to be an effective partner to all lawyers in their professional development, equipping them to grasp opportunities in the digital economy, and to ensconce Singapore as a global legal knowledge powerhouse.”