'An important period of transition': PM Wong thanks Khaw Boon Wan who retired as SPH Media chairman

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo on Thursday (Oct 1) paid tribute to former cabinet minister Khaw Boon Wan, who retired as chairman of both SPH Media Trust and SPH Media Holdings, after five years at the helm.The 73-year-old was appointed in May 2021 when SPH announced that its core media business will be hived off into a public company with a limited by guarantee structure. At that time, SPH faced declining advertising revenue and print circulation, posting its first net loss of $83.7 million for the financial year that ended on Aug 31, 2020.Khaw, who last served as Minister for Transport and Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure from 2015 to 2020, before retiring from politics in June 2020, was known as "Mr Fix-it", taking on challenging portfolios such as housing and transport.In a statement then, Khaw said that the role is a "heavy responsibility" and one which he accepted with "some anxiety" as he lacked the background in digital media. But he also said that he would adapt and do his best to ensure the national project succeeds.