Unless you have been living under a rock, you should have heard that Ng Chee Meng was seen in Fernvale, a part of the newly carved out Jalan Kayu SMC, quite frequently over the past 2 weeks.
On March 28th evening, he was seen visiting residents door to door at a Housing Board block in Sengkang West, definitely not selling NTUC Membership BUT engaging with residents, noting their aspirations and the common municipal issues affecting the estate.
He was caught by the media, being warmly greeted by a young resident with a high-five and a hug!
@zaobaosg 全国职工总会秘书长黄志明，3月28日晚上出现在芬维尔区做家访。他称，若在此竞选，很期待为居民服务。 #zaobaosg #sgnews #singapore #singaporean #livinginsg #sglife #sgtrending #singaporeelection #sgelection2025 #ge2025 #politics #politicians #election #NgCheeMeng #fyf #fyp #新加坡 #新加坡新闻 #新加坡人 #新加坡政治 #新加坡大选 #2025年新加坡大选 #新加坡热门 #黄志明 ♬ original sound – zaobaosg
If you’re STILL wondering, “Who’s that? Who is Ng Chee Meng?”, then here’s what you need to know about him.
Who is Ng Chee Meng
Ng Chee Meng is a Singaporean politician. He was born on 8 August 1968, making him 57 years old this year.
He has 1 wife, 2 daughters, and a cute poodle name Spot.
While his exact height isn’t publicly listed, based on photos and videos where he’s standing next to other people, it is safe to say that he’s of at least 1.8m.
His hobby should be cycling and maybe going on dates with his beautiful wife.
From Fighter Jets to Politics
Ng Chee Meng used to be Chief of Defence Force (CDF) in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). And before that, he was a top pilot flying F-16 fighter jets.
WOW, is it Top Gun MENGverick?
After serving for almost 30 years in the SAF, he entered politics in 2015, contested in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, and became Minister for Education (Schools). Later, he was also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.
But GE2020 was a plot twist.
He contested in Sengkang GRC as part of the PAP team and lost to the Workers’ Party team, which included Raeesah Khan who later stepped down as MP and quit WP after admitting to lying in Parliament.
The lost was painful, he admitted.
In an interview with The Straits Times Chief Columnist Sumiko Tan, he also said that the overarching feeling he had when he lost was “a profound sense of having let the party down, having let NTUC down, and the supporters and residents”.
Still Helping Workers
After the lost of the 2020 General Election, he never stopped serving Singaporeans.
He has been serving as the Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) since 2018, and he has been putting himself out there, helping workers get better jobs, pay, and work prospects.
As the labour chief, Ng Chee Meng has spearheaded several initiatives to enhance the well-being of workers in Singapore. Just to name a few,
✅ Expansion of the Progressive Wage Model (PWM): Under his leadership, the Progressive Wage Model has been extended to benefit approximately 135,000 lower-wage workers across various sectors, leading to improved wages and clearer career progression pathways.
✅Support for Platform Workers: He has championed protections for the platform workers, advocating for employer Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions, workplace injury benefits, and formal representation within NTUC to ensure fair working conditions.
✅Establishment of Company Training Committees (CTCs): Since the launch of the CTC in 2019, NTUC has formed over 3,000 CTCs and helped more than 7,000 workers receive an average of 5% wage increment on top of their annual increments.
✅Engagement through #EveryWorkerMatters Conversations: He also led efforts to engage more than 40,000 workers from all walks of life, addressing concerns ranging from cost of living to retirement adequacy, ensuring that NTUC’s strategies remain aligned with workers’ needs.
✅ Support for Women and Families: He has been a strong advocate for policies supporting women and families, particularly in promoting flexible work arrangements (FWAs) and enhancing parental leave, demonstrating his commitment in fostering a family-friendly work environment that supports the well-being of women and families in Singapore.
✅Membership Growth: Under his tenure, NTUC’s membership has grown significantly, reaching 1.27 million by the end of 2023, with a target of 1.5 million members by 2030.
A Boss with a BIG Heart
Beneath his stern-looking face is actually a very warm and compassionate soul. Ng Chee Meng may come across as serious and all-business, but those who know him will tell you he’s a true leader who genuinely cares about his people.
Just ask Prakasham Thangaveloo, the former national boxer who suffered a stroke in August 2022. Despite his busy schedule, Ng Chee Meng personally visited Prakash in the hospital and reassured him to focus on his recovery instead of worrying about work.
It’s rare to find a boss who’s not just all talk, but truly empathetic and supportive when it matters the most. That’s the kind of leader Ng Chee Meng is.
Did Ng Chee Meng Ever Left Politics?
The short answer is no.
In case you didn’t know, the PAP is governed by its Central Executive Committee (CEC), the party’s highest decision-making body responsible for strategic direction and policy decisions.
And Ng Chee Meng was co-opted into the PAP’s 36th, 37th and 38th CEC which is held every two years.
This is a strong indication that the PAP holds him in high regard. Including him in the CEC also ensures that workers’ perspectives are considered in the party’s strategic decisions, demonstrating the PAP’s commitment to addressing labour concerns within its leadership framework.
Why is he suddenly appearing in Jalan Kayu?
Now, back to Jalan Kayu. Why did he suddenly appear there? After some careful thought, here are a few possible reasons.
- Maybe he genuinely enjoys prata. I mean, well, let’s be real, Jalan Kayu is well-loved for their prata.
- Or perhaps it is a deliberate choice to contest independently, he expressed his interest first, instead of waiting for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, to decide to field him in the newly formed constituency.
- Or maybe — just maybe — he will be able to prove the netizens wrong, who may have perceived him as benefiting from riding on coattails.
So, Ng Chee Meng’s sudden appearances in Jalan Kayu have certainly got people talking. From his days in the RSAF to his advocacy for workers’ rights at NTUC, he’s a familiar figure in Singapore. For Singaporeans, especially those in Jalan Kayu, this means a chance to see him up close, to hear his plans, and decide if he’s the leader they want. After all, at the end of the day, it’s about who can best understand our daily struggles – the rising costs, job security, and making sure our kids have a good future. Whether he’s addressing workers’ concerns or knocking on doors in Jalan Kayu SMC, Ng Chee Meng’s next chapter is something we’ll all be watching closely.
