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🚨 A Closer Look at Ng Chee Meng’s Apology for the 2017 MOE Incident & Su Haijin Photo Controversy
In May 2025, Singapore's Labour Chief Ng Chee Meng has been under the spotlight due to two controversial incidents: one involving a 2017 Ministry of Education (MOE) dialogue and the other stemming from a photo with convicted money launderer Su Haijin. Both of these events have sparked public debate, but Ng’s candid apologies and clarifications from fellow ministers have shed light on the situation. Let’s dive into the details of what happened and the steps taken to resolve these issues.
🗣️ The 2017 MOE Dialogue Incident: Ng Chee Meng’s Apology
Let’s rewind to 2017 during a MOE dialogue session with trainee teachers. In an unfortunate moment, Ng Chee Meng allegedly told a teacher, "When Minister is talking to you, you better stand up." 😳
This remark sparked some controversy as it seemed overly harsh and out of line. Fast forward to May 2025, and Ng Chee Meng took to Facebook to publicly apologize for his actions. He admitted that his words were inappropriate, acknowledging that he could have handled the situation better. 🙏 He expressed regret and apologized for any offense caused by his behavior, demonstrating humility in taking responsibility. 💬
📸 The Su Haijin Photo Controversy: Explaining the Context
Next up, another incident that caught attention: a photograph featuring Ng Chee Meng with Su Haijin, a convicted member of a notorious Fujian gang involved in money laundering. 😱
This photo was taken at a corporate dinner, an event that Ng attended as part of his role as the Secretary-General of NTUC. The photo resurfaced online and stirred up questions about Ng’s association with a criminal figure. Ng wasted no time addressing the issue. In his explanation, he clarified that he had no idea of Su Haijin's criminal ties at the time and emphasized that he only met him in a professional setting. 🔍 Ng stated that after learning of Su’s criminal background, he had no further contact with him.
The photo was merely an unfortunate coincidence, and Ng reassured the public that he had no connection to Su’s illegal activities. 🚫
🏛️ Ng Chee Meng Requests Not to be Assigned Any Government Role
In the wake of these controversies, Ng Chee Meng made a bold decision: he requested that Prime Minister Lawrence Wong refrain from assigning him any future government positions. 👨💼
Ng said his main focus should be his work as the Member of Parliament for Jalan Kayu and his responsibilities at NTUC. He expressed his desire to dedicate himself to these roles, rather than becoming embroiled in further controversies. This shows his commitment to integrity and personal accountability. 🌟
👥 Clarifications from Other Ministers: Ong Ye Kung & Chee Hong Tat Weigh In
As part of the fallout, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat also found themselves pulled into the conversation, given their attendance at some of the same social gatherings as Su Haijin. 🙋♂️🙋♂️
Both ministers were quick to clarify that while they had attended social dinners where Su Haijin was present, they had no personal dealings with him. The ministers emphasized that these were simply social gatherings organized by friends, and there was no professional interaction with Su. They confirmed that they were unaware of Su’s criminal background at the time. 🕵️♂️
📅 Moving Forward: Accountability and Reflection
Ng Chee Meng’s response to these incidents highlights the importance of accountability in leadership. His apology for the MOE incident and the clarifications about the Su Haijin photograph show his commitment to transparency and growth. 💼
This situation also serves as a reminder of how public figures are constantly scrutinized, but it’s how they handle such controversies that defines their character. Ng’s decision to focus on his current roles and ask for no new government responsibilities signals his desire to move forward and focus on what matters most: serving his constituents and union members. 💪
