SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday ( Apr 21 ) thanked Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Maliki Osman for their service to Singapore as they retired from politics.
Dr Ng announced his retirement on Apr 18, with Dr Maliki doing the same on Monday. In a Twitter article, Mr Wong said both officials had been “deeply missed”.
” But I have to let them go, so as to maintain the management staff for Singapore. I wish them the very best as they begin fresh pages and do coming pursuits,” he wrote.
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong even thanked Dr Ng and Dr Maliki, with both having served as officials on Mr Lee’s Cabinet when he was prime minister.
” I thank Eng Hen and Maliki for their years of service and efforts to Singapore, and wish them both all the very best in the next step of their life,” Mr Lee wrote in a Twitter post.
Doctor NG “STEADY IN CRISIS”
In his Instagram post, Mr Wong said Dr Ng brought quality and detail to every Cabinet conversation.
” He is stable in turmoil, bold in thinking opportunities, and intelligent in analysing problems. I experienced all these personally during my early days in politics when I had the chance to work with him in MINDEF ( Ministry of Defence ),” said Mr Wong.
Calling him a role design and source of advice for both him and another younger officials, Mr Wong noted that Dr Ng had served in the workforce, education and military departments.
” But he will be best remembered as Minister for Defence, a position he held for more than a decade. Also respected locally and abroad for his attentive and insightful assessments, he raised Singapore’s appearance and standing,” said the primary minister.
Dr Ng has been the Minister for Defence since 2011. He guided the modernisation of the Singapore Armed Forces ( SAF ), which acquired and developed next-generation skills, said Mr Wong in a text to Dr Ng.
The SAF not merely stood ready for battle but proved its worth in peace, playing a vital role in supporting COVID-19 answer activities.
” You never lost sight of the people who form the center of the SAF,” said Mr Wong, listing Dr Ng’s efforts as defence secretary.