Senior Curator, NParks
“It is amazing that some of the trees here are more than 150 years old and thriving well. I am honoured to be given the opportunity to serve in such a wonderful and enriching place.”
– Mr Wong Tuan Wah, Senior Curator, NParks
The Istana is a treasure trove of flora and fauna. Did you know it is home to more than 200 species of plants?
The flora and fauna is carefully taken care of by the NParks team led by Senior Curator, Mr Wong Tuan Wah.
Tuan Wah has been a curator on the Istana grounds since 1996. He had the privilege of working under the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who was often fondly remembered as the Chief Gardener of Singapore. Tuan Wah remembers the late Mr Lee as being interested in the landscaping of the grounds, and will ask Tuan Wah various questions, some of which were so pertinent that they would trouble the minds of even horticultural experts.
Today, Tuan Wah not only manages the way the grass is cut or the type of flowers to grow, but also leads a team of dedicated gardeners. With the support of President Halimah, Tuan Wah has also recently brought volunteer gardening into the Istana.
A person passionate about nature photography, scuba diving and walking, Tuan Wah’s latest interest is aerial photography using drones. Putting his photography skills and active lifestyle to good use, you can often spot him walking along the Istana grounds capturing the best shots when flowers bloom in season. His favourite part of the grounds is the Istana Lawn, as the Main Building in the background provides guests with the perfect angle for photographs.