Teh Cheang Wan
Teh Cheang Wan (3 March 1928 – 14 December 1986) was a Singaporean architect and politician renowned for his foundational role in the nation's public housing programme.[1] After graduating in architecture from the University of Sydney in 1956, he advanced through key positions, including chief architect of the Housing and Development Board (HDB) from 1959 and its CEO from 1970 to 1979, where he oversaw the design and implementation of mass housing projects that housed a significant portion of Singapore's population.[1] Elected as a Member of Parliament for Geylang West in 1979, he served as Minister for National Development until his death, during which he continued to influence urban development policies.[1] Teh's architectural contributions emphasized practical, high-density designs adapted from earlier Singapore Improvement Trust models, enabling rapid scaling of public housing to meet post-independence demands.[1] His tenure at the HDB and later chairmanship of the Jurong Town Corporation from 1976 to 1979 underscored a focus on efficient infrastructure to support economic growth.[1] However, in late 1986, Teh faced investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau for allegedly accepting bribes totaling S$1 million from two property developers in connection with land deals during his ministerial role.[2] On 14 December 1986, Teh was found dead at his home from an overdose of the barbiturate Amytal, which a coroner's inquiry ruled as suicide; he had reportedly been informed of impending charges but chose not to contest them.[1][3] The case highlighted tensions in Singapore's anti-corruption framework, as Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew later noted that Teh opted for death over trial, leaving unresolved questions about the allegations despite the absence of a conviction.[4]