23/07/2026
Holding public office is never easy. It is never about oneself, but about the responsibility that comes with it.
Brother Ng Chee Meng 黄志明 exemplifies this spirit, placing workers and Singaporeans at the forefront before self. Every opportunity to represent workers’ voices at the discussion table should not be left to chance or hope that things will simply work out. Life is never fair, but with strong leadership and dedication, we can ensure that workers are heard and valued.
At the time when Brother Ng Chee Meng decided to take a step back, many of us, and especially me, as Vice-President of NTUC Singapore and Secretary-General of The SMMWU, the largest union affiliated to NTUC, asked ourselves: will workers and union members lose a strong voice at the right place, at the right time?
Some may say, “It’s okay, it will be alright.” But does it really? Personally, I don’t think so. The voice of workers must always be present, loud and clear, at the decision-making table. Without it, the risk is too great that their concerns will be overlooked - it is about ensuring that workers’ voices never fade, no matter the circumstances.
That is why the SMMWU stands strongly behind our Secretary-General, Brother Ng Chee Meng, in accepting the Minister position at the invitation of Prime Minister Brother Lawrence Wong. We believe that fate should not be left to chance — because sometimes, chance does not come by twice.
- Andy Lim Tze Khong
