It’s official: Ng Chee Meng will be contesting Jalan Kayu SMC in the upcoming General Election.
After being spotted on walkabouts in Fernvale, part of the newly carved out SMC, and with People’s Action Party (PAP) door hangers appearing at residents’ doors, the PAP has unveiled former Cabinet Minister and current Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) — Mr Ng Chee Meng, as its candidate for Jalan Kayu SMC in the upcoming General Election.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as the labour chief has earlier said in an interview that he has decided to run in a Single Member Constituency because he hopes to return to Parliament on his own merits.
At the unveiling of the PAP team for Ang Mo Kio GRC, as well as Jalan Kayu, Kebun Baru, and Yio Chu Kang SMCs, Ng said:
“Some have asked me, why return to politics after the last election? My answer is a simple one: because I never stopped caring.”
The labour chief emphasised that his public service has always been about people. During his time at the NTUC, he has helped workers in difficult times like during Covid-19. Other initiatives include helping delivery workers injured on the job and securing better pay for lower-wage workers.
“If I were to be elected, I want to be of use to the residents and to be able to be alongside them. If given the opportunity to represent Jalan Kayu SMC, I will do my best to improve the lives of residents whether it is better facilities for children, better transport connectivity, or more accessible sports facilities,” he said.
He continued:
“So, let me humbly say this to the residents of Jalan Kayu SMC, let us work together, upgrade our estates in Fernvale and Jalan Kayu, build vibrant corners where friendships grow, and strengthen our care networks. I humbly ask for your trust to let me walk this journey with you. Your hopes, your ideas, even your struggles, they all matter deeply to me. Let’s build a Jalan Kayu SMC that is kinder, stronger and more inclusive.”
From Air Force to Parliament
Ng’s career spans defence, politics, and union leadership. All united by a consistent thread of public service.
Before stepping into politics, he spent decades in the Singapore Armed Forces, where he rose to the rank of Chief of Defence Force and flew as an F-16 fighter pilot. These formative years honed his calm, mission-focused leadership style, one rooted in discipline, strategy, and responsibility.
He made his political debut in 2015 under the PAP team for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, where he took on national portfolios such as Minister for Education (Schools) and later served in the Prime Minister’s Office.
In GE2020, Ng contested in Sengkang GRC. Despite the result, he didn’t retreat from public life. Instead, he deepened his focus on the labour movement, continuing his work as Secretary-General of NTUC, where he has remained a strong advocate for workers and their families.
Delivering for workers, families & the everyday Singaporean
Since taking over as NTUC Secretary-General in 2018, Ng Chee Meng has consistently focused on initiatives that bridge the gap between policy and the everyday needs of workers. His work has touched a wide spectrum, from young jobseekers to older workers, from full-timers to gig economy freelancers.
During his leadership, NTUC rolled out major efforts to raise wages for lower-income workers through the Progressive Wage Model and expand support to more sectors like food services, retail, and waste management.
He also pushed for stronger protections for platform workers, including calls for CPF contributions and workplace injury insurance, a significant shift for riders and private-hire drivers who were previously left out of traditional employment frameworks.
Ng played a key role in introducing Company Training Committees (CTCs), with over 2,700 formed to date. These CTCs help companies align transformation efforts with employee upskilling and have led to workers receiving, on average, a 5% pay raise above their usual annual increment.
He supported the introduction of the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme, providing structured support for mid-career workers to reskill and re-enter the workforce with confidence.
His team also contributed to shaping the upcoming Workplace Fairness Legislation, designed to prevent workplace discrimination and promote more inclusive hiring practices.
All of this was underpinned by one of NTUC’s most extensive outreach efforts: the Every Worker Matters Conversations, which gathered input from over 40,000 workers to inform future strategy.
Today, NTUC counts more than 1.27 million members, with the goal of reaching 1.5 million, a signal of the continued relevance and trust the movement holds among working Singaporeans.
Building on momentum in a new ward
With Jalan Kayu SMC being a freshly carved-out constituency, Ng Chee Meng’s entry brings not just familiarity, but also momentum.
Having spent the last few years engaging workers, unions, and employers across Singapore, he’s no stranger to navigating complex ground challenges and turning feedback into action.
Jalan Kayu, which includes areas like Fernvale, is home to many young families and working adults – groups whose interests Ng has long championed through his push for fairer workplaces, better wages, and stronger employment support. His recent walkabouts and outreach efforts in the area suggest he’s already laying the groundwork to better understand local concerns.
Rather than revisit old battlegrounds, Ng’s focus now appears to be on looking ahead and bringing practical solutions to a new constituency, one that will benefit from his policy experience and deep involvement in the labour movement.
As GE2025 nears, Jalan Kayu voters will be watching closely to see what he brings to the table and whether his track record elsewhere can translate into results for their community.
