Labour chief Ng Chee Meng has landed in hot water recently, following a wave of online comments questioning his conduct during a 2017 Ministry of Education (MOE) dialogue, as well as the circulation of photos showing him with convicted money launderer Su Haijin.
In response, Mr Ng has apologised for the criticisms directed at him over the MOE incident and requested that Prime Minister Lawrence Wong not assign him any position in the government.
In a statement issued on May 6, Mr Ng, who was elected as MP for Jalan Kayu SMC on May 3, said: “The PM has agreed to consider this.”
Over the next five years, I will focus on my duties as the MP in Jalan Kayu and my role as Secretary-General of NTUC. The needs of my residents and all Singaporean workers are my priorities.
He also responded to the photos that have surfaced with Su, a known member of the Fujian gang:
“As the Secretary-General of NTUC, it is part of my work to engage with different companies and private sector leaders,” said Mr Ng. “These engagements help me better understand the concerns and challenges in different industries. At these engagements, people would often approach me for photographs.”
The dinner with Su Haijin was one such engagement. “It took place some time back. I learnt later about the police investigations and subsequent criminal charges against Su,” he clarified.
“Thereafter, I had no further interactions with him.”
Photos of Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat together with Su were also circulating online.
Earlier today, the ministers’ press secretaries said the ministers do not know Su personally and have no dealings with him.
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