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SEC suspends executive director, says investigations ongoing

SINGAPORE — He had just presented the Asian Environmental Journalism Awards at a ceremony on Wednesday (Oct 12) but less than 24 hours later, Mr Edwin Seah, the executive director of the Singapore Environment Council (SEC), found himself suspended from his duties without a clear explanation.

Edwin Seah has been suspended by the SEC effective from Thursday (Oct 13). Photo: Facebook

Edwin Seah has been suspended by the SEC effective from Thursday (Oct 13). Photo: Facebook

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SINGAPORE — He had just presented the Asian Environmental Journalism Awards at a ceremony on Wednesday (Oct 12) but less than 24 hours later, Mr Edwin Seah, the executive director of the Singapore Environment Council (SEC), found himself suspended from his duties without a clear explanation.

Speaking to TODAY, the 46-year-old said he was notified of his suspension via a phone call from SEC executive committee chairman Lam Joon Khoi at about 11am on Thursday.

When Mr Seah probed further on the reason for his suspension, Mr Lam told him that he could not disclose the details. A meeting has been fixed for next Wednesday and TODAY understands that a committee of inquiry will be held then.

“It was definitely a surprise,” Mr Seah said. “(On Wednesday) we had a pretty good event ... (and) this call came out of the blue. It’s a complete shock,” the father of two added.

Responding to media queries, an SEC spokesperson confirmed that “the SEC Board has decided to suspend Edwin Seah” with effect from yesterday. “We are unable to comment further as investigations are ongoing,” the spokesperson said.

Mr Seah, on childcare leave on Thursday and Friday, was supposed to fly to Ukraine on Friday to attend the Global Ecolabelling Network’s annual general meeting and elections as an SEC representative.

He would no longer make the trip, he told TODAY. In October 2014, he joined SEC as director of communications before being appointed executive director in April last year.

TODAY understands that Mr Seah had disagreements with a senior figure in SEC. When asked about this, he said: “I think it’s quite common if there are disagreements, but the fact that the programmes have gone on pretty well in the time I’ve been (executive director), that should be more of the focus.” Asked about the disagreements, SEC could not respond by press time.

Describing his experience at the council as one that was “enriching”, Mr Seah said that he enjoyed working with the team at the non-governmental organisation, where the number of projects have also grown over the years.

During the haze last year, SEC suspended the use of its green label on Asian Pulp and Paper Group’s products while some supermarket chains also stopped selling paper products sourced from the group.  Mr Seah added that under his lead, the council’s financial position has also been enhanced and the employee turnover rate was lowered.

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