Jalan Besar GRC MP Wan Rizal is set to join the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) as a director and a labour MP, with his new roles officially starting on August 18, 2025. The news was announced by the labour movement on Wednesday.
As a labour MP, Dr. Rizal will focus on:
- Speaking up for workers’ interests in parliament.
- Championing NTUC’s key advocacy areas, like supporting lower-wage workers.
- Strengthening engagement with the Malay-Muslim community.
In his director role at NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), he’ll be working closely with various community partners, union leaders, and grassroots advisers. His responsibilities will also include:
- Organising career fairs and events to connect job seekers with work opportunities.
- Developing strategies and programmes to support workers’ innovation, employability, and long-term career growth.
NTUC believes Dr. Rizal’s experience is a big plus. He’s been an MP for Jalan Besar GRC since 2020 and is also a senior lecturer at Republic Polytechnic.
According to NTUC, his time in parliament and his community work have given him “valuable insights into their aspirations and concerns.”
This new appointment is part of NTUC’s ongoing effort to stay connected with different communities and understand what workers need to improve their wages, welfare, and job prospects.
In a Facebook post, NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said that throughout his years as an educator, community leader, and Member of Parliament, Dr. Rizal has remained close to the ground. He expressed confidence that Dr. Rizal will continue championing lower-wage and mature workers, while strengthening engagement with the Malay-Muslim community.
Caryn Lim, the CEO of e2i, added that his understanding of the challenges faced by lower-wage and mature workers, especially in the Malay-Muslim community, will be invaluable. She hopes his experience will help e2i get better at reaching underserved groups and creating career services that fit their specific needs.
Dr. Rizal expressed his honour to join NTUC and e2i. He shared his own perspective, saying:
“I’ve met workers who felt left behind – whether it’s because of age, income, or background. I hope to be a strong bridge between workers and policy, and to champion the interests of lower-wage workers, mature workers – including those within our Malay-Muslim community.”
According to the Singapore parliament website, Dr. Rizal was previously chairman of the mosque management board for Al-Islah Mosque and a member of the inter-racial and religious confidence circle for Punggol North and Punggol West.
Finally, the NTUC statement also took a moment to thank Mr. Fahmi Aliman, the former director of operations and mobilisation division secretariat, who stepped down on June 30. The organization said his commitment to speaking up for workers left a “lasting impact on their lives.”
