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- Aug 19, 2008
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Minister capable of showing empathy
I WOULD like to relate a personal anecdote about Major-General (NS) Chan Chun Sing, the new Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.
I am an operationally ready national serviceman in HQ 23SIB, which was under the overall command of MG Chan when he was the commander of 9th Division.
The division was involved in an in-camp training (ICT) in 2007, when the global financial crisis hit. On the first day of our ICT, we heard rumours that the local banks were preparing to lay off staff. As expected, people were unsettled and morale took a hit. It was virtually impossible for anyone to be granted leave of absence as we were in the midst of training.
The next day, MG Chan personally came down from the division HQ, without pomp and ceremony, and visited all the unit HQs in the exercise area. He told us that he understood our concerns, and personally guaranteed that we were free to take leave of absence to attend to any work-related matters. He promised us that the division would sort out the administrative procedures later. That lifted our spirits, and for the next 17 days, the men worked hard during the ICT.
This is the measure of the man who is our new minister. He did not have to come and speak to us. He could have just issued the daily Routine Orders with the same instructions, or sent the division's manpower officer to relay the message. But MG Chan chose to address us personally, giving a human face to an instruction, showing solidarity with his men.
Hence, when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Singaporeans that policies will be implemented with heart, I know at least one minister can do it.
Samuel Wong
I WOULD like to relate a personal anecdote about Major-General (NS) Chan Chun Sing, the new Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.
I am an operationally ready national serviceman in HQ 23SIB, which was under the overall command of MG Chan when he was the commander of 9th Division.
The division was involved in an in-camp training (ICT) in 2007, when the global financial crisis hit. On the first day of our ICT, we heard rumours that the local banks were preparing to lay off staff. As expected, people were unsettled and morale took a hit. It was virtually impossible for anyone to be granted leave of absence as we were in the midst of training.
The next day, MG Chan personally came down from the division HQ, without pomp and ceremony, and visited all the unit HQs in the exercise area. He told us that he understood our concerns, and personally guaranteed that we were free to take leave of absence to attend to any work-related matters. He promised us that the division would sort out the administrative procedures later. That lifted our spirits, and for the next 17 days, the men worked hard during the ICT.
This is the measure of the man who is our new minister. He did not have to come and speak to us. He could have just issued the daily Routine Orders with the same instructions, or sent the division's manpower officer to relay the message. But MG Chan chose to address us personally, giving a human face to an instruction, showing solidarity with his men.
Hence, when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Singaporeans that policies will be implemented with heart, I know at least one minister can do it.
Samuel Wong
