MFA Press Statement: Appointment of Singapore's Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman

The Government has appointed Mr Hirubalan V P, 55, as Singapore's Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman. He is concurrently Singapore's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He will continue to be resident in Riyadh.

. . . . .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
16 MAY 2006

BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY

Mr Hirubalan is currently Singapore's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mr Hirubalan was born in Singapore on 8 September 1950. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) First Class in History from the University of Singapore in 1980 for which he was presented the Shell Gold Medal. He was awarded a Fulbright scholarship in 1984 and proceeded to obtain his Masters in International Relations from Yale University, USA, graduating in 1986.

Mr Hirubalan joined the Singapore Armed Forces as a Second Lieutenant in 1973. He was transferred to the Ministry of Defence as an Administrative Assistant in 1981. Since then, he has held various appointments including Assistant Secretary (1983-1989), Principal Assistant Secretary (1989-1993), Deputy Director, Policy Office (1993-1995) and Director, Policy Planning (1995-1996).

Mr Hirubalan was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June 1996. He was Second Director, later Director, in the ASEAN Directorate from June to September 1996. He also served as Director, Policy, Planning and Analysis Directorate I (1996-1997) before assuming duty as Director, Special Duties (1997 to February 1998). Mr Hirubalan assumed post at the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta in February 1998 as Minister-Counsellor and was appointed Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister-Counsellor in May 2000. He was Singapore's High Commissioner to Negara Brunei Darussalam from January 2002 to December 2005.

Mr Hirubalan was awarded the Long Service Medal in 1995 and the Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 1996.

Mr Hirubalan is married to Mrs Manoranchitham Hirubalan and they have three children.
. . . .