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Ms. Peggy Pao-Keerthi Pei Yu (包佩玉) was appointed Director of Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) on 1 March 2026. She takes over from Mr. David Chew Siong Tai (周祥泰), who has assumed the appointment of Chief Prosecutor (International Engagement), Crime Division at the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC).

Ms. Pao, 43, joined the Singapore Legal Service in 2007. She has held several appointments including Executive Director of the Enforcement Department at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Director, Deputy Senior State Counsel and Deputy Public Prosecutor at the AGC. During her tenure at MAS, Ms. Pao spearheaded several key initiatives including enhancements to MAS’ investigative powers and powers to issue prohibition orders against errant individuals, and proposals to enhance civil recourse by investors who suffer losses due to market misconduct. She also oversaw and collaborated with stakeholders in significant actions against financial institutions and persons connected to several high profile cases such as the 1MDB case, the Wirecard case, and the $3 billion anti-money laundering case.

Mr. Chew, 60, who was appointed Director CAD in June 2015, joined the Singapore Legal Service in 1992 and has held several appointments including District Judge at the Subordinate Courts, Deputy Public Prosecutor, Senior State Counsel and Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the AGC.

During his tenure as Director CAD, Mr. Chew oversaw investigations into major cases, including the 1MDB case, Hin Leong trade financing fraud, and the $3 billion anti-money laundering case that saw 10 foreigners convicted and significant assets forfeited. Under his leadership, CAD established the Anti-Scam Centre (2019) and the Anti-Scam Command (2022), creating Singapore's integrated anti-scam model that has gained international recognition. Mr. Chew also enhanced SPF's investigative capabilities through Project POET¹ for faster banking information access and implemented a new analytics and data management system that enabled intelligence-led investigations. Mr. Chew deepened industry collaboration through the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism Industry Partnership (ACIP)² that saw at least nine guidance papers issued to financial institutions and collaborations on joint investigations. As Singapore's Head of Delegation to the Financial Action Task Force, he led CAD's collaboration with INTERPOL and the Egmont Group to publish the “Illicit Financial Flows from Cyber-Enabled Fraud”, a cyber-enabled fraud report in 2023. The report was supported by over 80 jurisdictions, strengthening global efforts against scams and money laundering.

Reflecting on his tenure as Director CAD, Mr. Chew said, “Leading CAD for the past 11 years has been deeply fulfilling. I am honoured to have worked alongside dedicated officers to enhance investigative capabilities in combating sophisticated financial crimes. Through strong collaborations with local and international partners, we have strengthened Singapore's defences against evolving financial threats. I am confident that CAD will continue to advance our financial crime-fighting capabilities and deepen collaboration with key partners to safeguard Singapore's reputation as a trusted financial and business hub."

On her appointment as Director CAD, Ms. Pao said, “I am honoured to be appointed as Director CAD, and lead this distinguished department in safeguarding Singapore's financial integrity. Mr. Chew has built CAD into a formidable force against complex financial crimes. As such crime continues to evolve rapidly, we must continue to strengthen our capabilities to tackle white collar crime. I look forward to working with the officers of CAD and our key partners to uphold Singapore's reputation as a trusted financial centre."

Mr David Chew handing over the CAD Symbol of Command to Commissioner of Police How Kwang Hwee during the Change of Command Ceremony



Ms Peggy Pao taking over the CAD Symbol of Command from CP How Kwang Hwee during the Change of Command Ceremony



Group photo of CP How Kwang Hwee, Mr David Chew, and Ms Peggy Pao 

¹ Production Order: Electronic Transmissions

² Established in 2017, ACIP is co-chaired by the CAD/SPF and Monetary Authority of Singapore, with a Steering Group comprising the Association of Banks in Singapore and nine banks in Singapore. The private-public partnership works together to collaboratively identify, assess, and mitigate key and emerging money laundering and terrorism financing risks facing Singapore.