Ng Chee Meng Addresses Photo with Money Launderer and Past MOE Dialogue Criticism, Declines Government Position

By
Loh Huey Xin
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Labour chief Ng Chee Meng has asked Prime Minister Lawrence Wong not to assign him any position in the Government following his election as Member of Parliament for Jalan Kayu SMC on 3 May 2025.

The Prime Minister has agreed to consider this request, according to Mr Ng’s statement.

In a statement released on 6 May, Mr Ng said he would focus on his duties as MP and his role as Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

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“The needs of my residents and all Singaporean workers are my priorities,” Mr Ng stated.

Mr Ng secured the Jalan Kayu single seat with 51.47 per cent of the vote, defeating Workers’ Party candidate Andre Low in one of the tightest contests of the General Election.

Photo with convicted money launderer Su Haijin sparks clarification

In the same statement, Mr Ng addressed online photos showing him with convicted money launderer Su Haijin, explaining that the dinner took place “some time back” as part of his work engaging with companies and private sector leaders.

“These engagements help me better understand the concerns and challenges in different industries,” Mr Ng explained.

He clarified that people often approach him for photographs at such events, and this dinner was one such engagement.

“I learnt later about the police investigations and subsequent criminal charges against Su. Thereafter, I had no further interactions with him,” Mr Ng stated.

Su Haijin, a Cypriot national, was among ten foreigners arrested in a $3 billion money laundering case on 15 Aug 2023.

He was sentenced to 14 months’ jail in April 2024 after admitting to one charge of resisting arrest and two money laundering charges, with another 11 charges taken into consideration during sentencing.

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Su gained notoriety as the man who jumped off a balcony during a raid to arrest suspects linked to Singapore’s largest money laundering case. The group was reportedly part of the Fujian gang, an organised crime syndicate based in Fujian, China.

The photo of Mr Ng with Su was posted online by former Reform Party chairman Charles Yeo.

Earlier on 6 May, the press secretaries of Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat also addressed pictures showing both ministers at dinners where Su was present, stating that the ministers do not know Su personally and have no dealings with him.

“As Ministers, they meet a diverse range of people at various events and gatherings. They attended the dinners at the invitation of a friend, and Su happened to be there,” the press secretaries said in a joint statement.

MOE dialogue incident from 2017 addressed

Mr Ng also responded to online criticisms regarding his conduct during a Ministry of Education dialogue in 2017, when he served as education minister (schools).

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“I do not remember the exact words I used that day, as close to a decade has passed since the dialogue. I regret if any of my remarks came across as disrespectful, especially when the participants had raised questions in good faith,” he said.

The online posts circulating on social media alleged that Mr Ng had reacted angrily to a question during the minister’s dialogue session with teachers and asked attendees if they read fiction or serious books.

“I could have handled the situation better. I sincerely apologise. I have received and accepted the feedback, and will continue to do better,” Mr Ng added.

He emphasised that he “greatly values” the work that teachers do every day and that they make a “tremendous difference in our students’ lives.”

 

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Loh Huey Xin