Outgoing CDF Ng Chee Meng confirms entry into politics
SINGAPORE – Serving his last day with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) today (Aug 18), outgoing Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Lieutenant-General (LG) Ng Chee Meng confirmed that he will be swopping his military uniform for the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) all-white garb.
“It is an open secret where I’m going next. I’ll be going into politics,” he told reporters at a media interview. Adding that he is “indebted” to Singapore, he said: “And one of the things why I’ve decided, with the blessing of my family, to step forward, is really to serve the Singapore which I grew up in, giving me all the opportunities in a meritocratic system.”
It was announced last month that LG Ng would retire from the SAF, and he said then that he would not rule out entering politics but his immediate focus was on handing overh his duties to his successor, Major-General Perry Lim. Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen - who is also the PAP’s organising secretary - had said he “would not at all be surprised” if LG Ng entered politics given his tested leadership and proven capabilities.
Today, LG Ng was coy on which constituency he could be fielded in. Nevertheless, he reiterated that his decision to enter the political fray came after discussions with his family, friends and mentors. “I’m coming into politics with eyes open (and) knowing the challenges. I’m well prepared after being in the SAF for so long. I think I have the leadership and organisational skills to add value if I’m called to serve in new capacities.”
LG Ng’s 29-month stint as the CDF is the shortest of among the previous seven defence chiefs who came before him. If elected, he would make history as the highest-ranking career soldier to become a Member of Parliament (MP).
In the 2011 General Election, the PAP fielded Mr Chan Chun Sing and Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, shortly after they retired from the SAF as Chief of Army and Chief of the Training and Doctrine Command, respectively. Mr Chan is now labour chief, while Mr Tan is Social and Family Development Minister.
Before them, outgoing Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew, left the Navy, where he served as chief from 1999 to 2003, to take up top positions in the Civil Service, such as chief executive officer of the Maritime and Port Authority and, subsequently, the Housing and Development Board, before he was elected to Parliament in 2006. Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean is a former Rear-Admiral in the Navy and served as Chief of Navy before leaving to contest in the 1992 by-election in Marine Parade.
In 1984, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong left the army as its youngest Brigadier-General and was elected as an MP. Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang held the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel before he joined politics in 1991.
On leaving the armed forces before the usual CDF term of three years is up, LG Ng - who spent almost three decades in the SAF - said it was with mixed feelings but he had to do so to “answer the call of duty”. “I have spoken to my (tri-service) chiefs, who also understood what I’m setting out to do. They’re ready to take over… The SAF is a strong organisation. I think they will have the strength and vision to carry the organisation forward, with or without me,” he said.
Elabortaing on why he decided to enter politics, LG Ng said one reason was his belief that “good politics and good leadership” were what underpinned Singapore’s success in the past 50 years. The other reason was he wanted to give back to society after benefitting from Singapore’s meritocratic system, he added. “When we have some successes, we take care of the rest to make sure that we create the same opportunities, if not better opportunities, for others to succeed (and) for future generations to succeed,” he said.
On how he intends to bring people together as a politician, he said the key is to “consult widely, listen actively … and always have the humility to seek out best ideas from people that care.”
