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- Aug 20, 2022
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Link:
https://www.change.org/p/stop-ng-chee-meng-from-joining-singapore-cabinet?recruiter=834874209&recruited_by_id=3a1957d0-ca85-11e7-8d29-53390a991822&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_content=fht-490555170-en-gb:0
TLDR: (1) Slim margin of victory against newcomer (2) Lack of accountability in NTUC-Allianz Saga (3) Concerning behavioural allegations
Slim Margin of Victory in GE2025
In GE2025, NCM won Jalan Kayu SMC with only 51.47 per cent of the vote.
This was a winning margin of only around 800 votes. Moreover, 1,800 residents did not vote, and there were 376 rejected votes. If more voters had voted, the results may have been different.
One would have expected NCM to do better against a new fresh faced candidate fielded by the Workers Party (WP). After all, NCM was a decorated SAF general (Chief of Defence, Chief of Air Force), and a previous cabinet member (Minister for Education (Schools) between 2015 and 2018, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office between 2018, 2020).
Yet, although Jalan Kayu SMC was effectively carved out from a PAP stronghold in Ang Mo Kia GRC, the reason why NCM only won in Jalan Kayu SMC with such slim margins is likely due to his lack of credibility, accountability and/or his incompetence, as explained below.
Lack of Accountability in NTUC-Allianz Saga
First, some background on NCM's involvement in NTUC.
Here are the key events:
All NCM said on 27 April 2025 on the deal eventually being blocked by the Singapore government and the Capital Extraction Plan is that “We thought in the labour movement that it was a reasonable deal”, “The proposed deal could strengthen Income and, most importantly, protect the interest of Income’s policyholders”, “NTUC couldn’t have known (that) the law would be changed. But we sincerely respected the Government’s view and accept it”.
However, the legality of the deal is besides the point. Serious questions remain unanswered by NCM:
1. Was he aware of the Capital Extraction Plan when he endorsed the deal on 5 August 2024? If he was not aware, why did this oversight occur, and how was this possible since details were submitted by NTUC Enterprise to MAS in mid-July 2024?
2. If he was aware, why did he endorse the deal? Why would the Capital Extraction Plan be in Income’s best interest and in Singaporean’s best interest?
3. Why did NTUC Deputy Secretary General Desmond Tan tell Parliament on 16 Oct 2024 that NTUC’s central committee was unaware of the Capital Extraction Plan and only learnt of it on 14 October 2024, when NCM’s statement on 5 August 2024 said that the NTUC central committee was briefed on the deal?
4. Why didn’t NCM engage with concerned parties and stakeholders or do further due diligence when issues were raised as early as July 2024?
The lack of accountability and transparency on NCM’s part is concerning. It is negligence or gross incompetence at best, or at worst, demonstrates a disregard to act in the best interest of Singaporeans. Such lack of accountability and potentially integrity should not be allowed to take root in Singapore’s cabinet.
Other Allegations call his competence and credibility into question
There have also been allegations made against NCM about his behaviour as Education Minister during his tenure from 2015 to 2018. His behaviour suggests that his temperament and character are unsuitable and at odds with being a Cabinet minister.
While these allegations are unverified at present, it is concerning that various corroborating statements have emerged, which also cast serious doubt on NCM’s suitability to be a Cabinet Minister. (https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/20...f-aggressive-conduct-during-dialogue-session/
NCM has not denied nor responded to such allegations.
For the above reasons, NCM should not be appointed into Singapore’s next Cabinet, for the sake of all Singaporeans. We implore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to make a sensible decision in this regard.
https://www.change.org/p/stop-ng-chee-meng-from-joining-singapore-cabinet?recruiter=834874209&recruited_by_id=3a1957d0-ca85-11e7-8d29-53390a991822&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_content=fht-490555170-en-gb:0
The Issue
Ng Chee Meng (NCM) should not be part of Singapore's new cabinet under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. This is why:TLDR: (1) Slim margin of victory against newcomer (2) Lack of accountability in NTUC-Allianz Saga (3) Concerning behavioural allegations
Slim Margin of Victory in GE2025
In GE2025, NCM won Jalan Kayu SMC with only 51.47 per cent of the vote.
This was a winning margin of only around 800 votes. Moreover, 1,800 residents did not vote, and there were 376 rejected votes. If more voters had voted, the results may have been different.
One would have expected NCM to do better against a new fresh faced candidate fielded by the Workers Party (WP). After all, NCM was a decorated SAF general (Chief of Defence, Chief of Air Force), and a previous cabinet member (Minister for Education (Schools) between 2015 and 2018, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office between 2018, 2020).
Yet, although Jalan Kayu SMC was effectively carved out from a PAP stronghold in Ang Mo Kia GRC, the reason why NCM only won in Jalan Kayu SMC with such slim margins is likely due to his lack of credibility, accountability and/or his incompetence, as explained below.
Lack of Accountability in NTUC-Allianz Saga
First, some background on NCM's involvement in NTUC.
- On 22 May 2018, NCM was elected as the Secretary General of the NTUC by the NTUC Central Committee. Despite losing in the 2020 GE, he remained in this position. He was also subsequently appointed to the board of NTUC's co-operative subsidiary, NTUC Enterprise.
- On 19 November 2020, NCM was co-opted into the PAP's Central Executive Committee despite not being a Member of Parliament.
Next, a summary of the NTUC-Allianz Saga and NCM's role
Here are the key events:
- In mid-July 2024, Allianz announced it was planning to buy a majority stake (51% of the shares) in Income Insurance for around US$1.6 billion. At that time, NTUC Enterprise had a 72.8% stake in Income Insurance. Allianz, Income and NTUC Enterprise submit plans to MAS including details about Income returning $1.85 billion in cash to shareholders within the first three years after the deal wrapped up (the Capital Extraction Plan). This was not publicly disclosed.
- On 27 July 2024, Mr Tan Suee Chieh, the ex-CEO of NTUC Income (i.e. now Income Insurance) from 2007 to 2013 and ex Group CEO of NTUC Enterprise from 1 October 2013 to 2017 wrote a commentary in CNA on concerns about the NTUC-Allianz sale and how this would be inconsistent with NTUC's social mission. He highlighted that the deal appeared to be a mechanism for NTUC Enterprise and other shareholders to cash out with substantial gains. He also highlighted that the prospect of a foreign entity owning a majority stake in Income Insurance was unsettling, considering the deep emotional ties Singaporeans have with NTUC Income and its spirit and values as a co-operative. (https://www.channelnewsasia.com/com...surance-social-mission-profits-people-4506411
- On 2 August 2024, Mr Tan Suee Chieh wrote an open letter to MAS chairman asking for government regulators to step in and carefully review the sale. (
- On 4 and 5 August 2024, NTUC Enterprise and Income Insurance issued a statement rebutting Mr Tan’s allegations, and in a separate statement, NCM stated that “The NTUC Central Committee was briefed” and “That is why, after full and serious consideration, the NTUC Central Committee decided to support NTUC Enterprise’s consideration of the offer from Allianz. We believe the offer is good for Income, good for its policyholders, and will enable us to fulfil our mission from a stronger position.” This suggested that NCM had already known about the Capital Extraction Plan. https://www.ntuc.org.sg/uportal/news/NTUC-Social-Mission-Will-Not-Change
- 6 August 2024: the deal was debated in parliament – various opposition MPs and NCMPs raised queries about the deal. However, the Capital Extraction Plan was not mentioned. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sin...ce-parliament-social-mission-ntuc-mas-4521771
- After 6 August 2024: MCCY continues to do due diligence into the proposed deal, and MAS provides MCCY about the Capital Extraction Plan
- 14 October 2024: MCCY minister Edwin Tong tells Parliament that the Government will halt the deal in its current form on concerns over its structure and ability of Income to continue serving its social mission. A Bill to amend the Insurance Act is tabled on an urgent basis.
- 16 October 2024: NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Desmond Tan tells Parliament that NTUC’s central committee was unaware of the Capital Extraction Plan and learnt of it on Oct 14. MPs debate the issue for nearly four hours, and vote to pass the Bill.
All NCM said on 27 April 2025 on the deal eventually being blocked by the Singapore government and the Capital Extraction Plan is that “We thought in the labour movement that it was a reasonable deal”, “The proposed deal could strengthen Income and, most importantly, protect the interest of Income’s policyholders”, “NTUC couldn’t have known (that) the law would be changed. But we sincerely respected the Government’s view and accept it”.
However, the legality of the deal is besides the point. Serious questions remain unanswered by NCM:
1. Was he aware of the Capital Extraction Plan when he endorsed the deal on 5 August 2024? If he was not aware, why did this oversight occur, and how was this possible since details were submitted by NTUC Enterprise to MAS in mid-July 2024?
2. If he was aware, why did he endorse the deal? Why would the Capital Extraction Plan be in Income’s best interest and in Singaporean’s best interest?
3. Why did NTUC Deputy Secretary General Desmond Tan tell Parliament on 16 Oct 2024 that NTUC’s central committee was unaware of the Capital Extraction Plan and only learnt of it on 14 October 2024, when NCM’s statement on 5 August 2024 said that the NTUC central committee was briefed on the deal?
4. Why didn’t NCM engage with concerned parties and stakeholders or do further due diligence when issues were raised as early as July 2024?
The lack of accountability and transparency on NCM’s part is concerning. It is negligence or gross incompetence at best, or at worst, demonstrates a disregard to act in the best interest of Singaporeans. Such lack of accountability and potentially integrity should not be allowed to take root in Singapore’s cabinet.
Other Allegations call his competence and credibility into question
There have also been allegations made against NCM about his behaviour as Education Minister during his tenure from 2015 to 2018. His behaviour suggests that his temperament and character are unsuitable and at odds with being a Cabinet minister.
While these allegations are unverified at present, it is concerning that various corroborating statements have emerged, which also cast serious doubt on NCM’s suitability to be a Cabinet Minister. (https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/20...f-aggressive-conduct-during-dialogue-session/
NCM has not denied nor responded to such allegations.
For the above reasons, NCM should not be appointed into Singapore’s next Cabinet, for the sake of all Singaporeans. We implore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to make a sensible decision in this regard.
