[12][13][14][15] Chew was an avid rugby player in university, and he represent the faculty of medicine during inter-faculty and inter-college games.

[16][17][18][19] At the age of 27, Chew joined the Singapore Civil Service as a medical officer in the Ministry of Health.

[23][24][25] Shortly after, in January 1972, Chew announced that the ministry is considering a scheme to make specialists treatments more accessible.

[28][29]In 1978, Chew was appointed as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and promoted to director of medical services.

[40][41] As such, Chew and the ministry decided to postpone the mandatory bond signing by the medical students, and reviewed its policy.

The company was established by the government to produce hepatitis B vaccines, under licence from Merck, Sharp and Dohme, for local usage and export to ASEAN and other countries such as Hong Kong.

[57][58] On 5 September 1984, Chew succeeded Sim Kee Boon as head of the civil service, while continuing his other two portfolios.

[59][60] On 15 May 1985, Chew was part of the delegation that flew on the inaugural flight to Beijing via Shanghai, operated by Singapore Airlines.

[61][62][63] On 30 September 1986, Chew officially opened a S$14 million clubhouse for civil servants, located along Tessensohn Road in Kallang.

[1][20] In 2012, Chew underwent a cardiac valve surgery at the National University Hospital, but suffered from postoperative complications.