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https://www.straitstimes.com/singap...s-pm-not-to-assign-him-position-in-government
Labour chief Ng Chee Meng (left) also responded to a photo of him with Su Haijin, who was later convicted of money laundering, that has been circulating.PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB FROM TOXICSTATENARRATIVEINSG/INSTAGRAM
SINGAPORE – Labour chief Ng Chee Meng has apologised after criticisms against him – concerning an incident in a dialogue hosted by the Ministry of Education (MOE) – surfaced, and has asked Prime Minister Lawrence Wong not to assign him any position in the Government.
In a statement on May 6, Mr Ng, who was elected as MP for Jalan Kayu SMC on May 3, said: “The PM has agreed to consider this.”
He was responding to online comments which have been circulating about his conduct at an MOE dialogue in 2017 and a photo that has surfaced of him with Su Haijin, who was later convicted of money laundering.
Mr Ng said: “I do not remember the exact words I used that day as close to a decade has passed since the dialogue. I regret if any of my remarks came across as disrespectful, especially when the participants had raised questions in good faith.
“I could have handled the situation better. I sincerely apologise. I have received and accepted the feedback, and will continue to do better.”
He added that he greatly values the work that teachers do every day and that they make a tremendous difference in students’ lives.
Online posts had circulated about what Mr Ng had supposedly said during a minister’s dialogue session with teachers during his time as education minister (schools).
The series of Instagram stories by a poster who used to be with MOE claimed the minister had reacted angrily to a question, and that he also asked attendees if they read fiction or serious books.
Mr Ng added: “Over the next five years, I will focus on my duties as the MP in Jalan Kayu and my role as secretary-general of NTUC. The needs of my residents and all Singaporean workers are my priorities.”
Regarding the dinner with Su, Mr Ng said it took place some time back and he had no further interactions with Su after police investigations and criminal charges were brought against him.
Mr Ng said: “As the secretary-general of NTUC, it is part of my work to engage with different companies and private-sector leaders.
“These engagements help me better understand the concerns and challenges in different industries.”
He added that at these engagements, people would often approach him for photographs.
“This dinner was one such engagement,” he said.
“I learnt later about the police investigations and subsequent criminal charges against Su. Thereafter, I had no further interactions with him.”
His statement follows one from the press secretaries of Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, who addressed pictures circulating online showing both ministers at dinners where Su was present.
Earlier on May 6, the press secretaries of Mr Ong and Mr Chee, who is also Second Minister for Finance, said in a joint statement that the ministers do not know Su personally, and do not have any contact with him.
The statement added: “As ministers, they meet a diverse range of people at various events and gatherings. They attended the dinners at the invitation of a friend, and Su happened to be there.
“Minister Ong recalls that months later, at another dinner, Su happened to be there too.”
The statement added that the PAP Government upholds a high standard of integrity, and the ministers are determined to uphold this, even though in the course of their work, they may inadvertently come into contact with people who are later established to be unsavoury.
It added: “Maintaining this standard is non-negotiable.”
Su, a Cypriot national, was among 10 foreigners arrested in a $3 billion money laundering case on Aug 15, 2023.
He was sentenced to 14 months’ jail in April 2024 after admitting to one charge of resisting arrest and two money laundering charges. Another 11 charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.
The 10 involved in the case received between 13 and 17 months’ jail and were all deported after their release from prison.
In the 2025 General Election, Mr Ng beat WP fresh face Andre Low to the Jalan Kayu single seat after he garnered 51.47 per cent of the vote.
Mr Ng was chief of defence force before entering politics in 2015 and winning in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC as part of a PAP team. He went on to hold several Cabinet positions, including education minister (schools) and second minister for transport.
In 2020, he helmed the PAP team to contest the newly created Sengkang GRC but lost to a WP team.
He has been the secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress since 2018.
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Ng Chee Meng addresses Su Haijin photo, controversial MOE dialogue; asks not to be given govt role
Labour chief Ng Chee Meng (left) also responded to a photo of him with Su Haijin, who was later convicted of money laundering, that has been circulating.PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB FROM TOXICSTATENARRATIVEINSG/INSTAGRAM
SINGAPORE – Labour chief Ng Chee Meng has apologised after criticisms against him – concerning an incident in a dialogue hosted by the Ministry of Education (MOE) – surfaced, and has asked Prime Minister Lawrence Wong not to assign him any position in the Government.
In a statement on May 6, Mr Ng, who was elected as MP for Jalan Kayu SMC on May 3, said: “The PM has agreed to consider this.”
He was responding to online comments which have been circulating about his conduct at an MOE dialogue in 2017 and a photo that has surfaced of him with Su Haijin, who was later convicted of money laundering.
Mr Ng said: “I do not remember the exact words I used that day as close to a decade has passed since the dialogue. I regret if any of my remarks came across as disrespectful, especially when the participants had raised questions in good faith.
“I could have handled the situation better. I sincerely apologise. I have received and accepted the feedback, and will continue to do better.”
He added that he greatly values the work that teachers do every day and that they make a tremendous difference in students’ lives.
Online posts had circulated about what Mr Ng had supposedly said during a minister’s dialogue session with teachers during his time as education minister (schools).
The series of Instagram stories by a poster who used to be with MOE claimed the minister had reacted angrily to a question, and that he also asked attendees if they read fiction or serious books.
Mr Ng added: “Over the next five years, I will focus on my duties as the MP in Jalan Kayu and my role as secretary-general of NTUC. The needs of my residents and all Singaporean workers are my priorities.”
Regarding the dinner with Su, Mr Ng said it took place some time back and he had no further interactions with Su after police investigations and criminal charges were brought against him.
Mr Ng said: “As the secretary-general of NTUC, it is part of my work to engage with different companies and private-sector leaders.
“These engagements help me better understand the concerns and challenges in different industries.”
He added that at these engagements, people would often approach him for photographs.
“This dinner was one such engagement,” he said.
“I learnt later about the police investigations and subsequent criminal charges against Su. Thereafter, I had no further interactions with him.”
His statement follows one from the press secretaries of Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, who addressed pictures circulating online showing both ministers at dinners where Su was present.
Earlier on May 6, the press secretaries of Mr Ong and Mr Chee, who is also Second Minister for Finance, said in a joint statement that the ministers do not know Su personally, and do not have any contact with him.
The statement added: “As ministers, they meet a diverse range of people at various events and gatherings. They attended the dinners at the invitation of a friend, and Su happened to be there.
“Minister Ong recalls that months later, at another dinner, Su happened to be there too.”
The statement added that the PAP Government upholds a high standard of integrity, and the ministers are determined to uphold this, even though in the course of their work, they may inadvertently come into contact with people who are later established to be unsavoury.
It added: “Maintaining this standard is non-negotiable.”
Su, a Cypriot national, was among 10 foreigners arrested in a $3 billion money laundering case on Aug 15, 2023.
He was sentenced to 14 months’ jail in April 2024 after admitting to one charge of resisting arrest and two money laundering charges. Another 11 charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.
The 10 involved in the case received between 13 and 17 months’ jail and were all deported after their release from prison.
In the 2025 General Election, Mr Ng beat WP fresh face Andre Low to the Jalan Kayu single seat after he garnered 51.47 per cent of the vote.
Mr Ng was chief of defence force before entering politics in 2015 and winning in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC as part of a PAP team. He went on to hold several Cabinet positions, including education minister (schools) and second minister for transport.
In 2020, he helmed the PAP team to contest the newly created Sengkang GRC but lost to a WP team.
He has been the secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress since 2018.
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He's damaged goods.
