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Open letter to a comrade:
Dear Comrade Ng Chee Meng,
I write to you acknowledging the immense responsibility you bear as NTUC’s secretary-general and a steadfast comrade in our party’s mission. I must ask—gently but with urgency—why you’ve held back from clarifying your stance on the controversial sale of NTUC Income to Allianz. When the storm of criticism surged, your retreat into silence left comrades and constituents alike craving the bold, decisive leadership we know you can deliver. The people deserve your voice, Comrade, and your clarity is vital to restoring their trust.
I ventured a guess that the party’s decision to place you in Jalan Kayu SMC, rather than a GRC, reflects both your resilience and the steep challenge before you. Your loss in Sengkang GRC to the Workers’ Party in 2020 was a bitter blow, and the party probably decided that carrying you in a GRC could strain the team (again my guess). Jalan Kayu, carved from the volatile bloc near Sengkang and Punggol, is your battleground—a single seat where you must win hearts through courage, candor, and strategic prowess. PAP secretary-general, Comrade Lawrence’s prerogative in deployment is clear, but this is no mere assignment; it’s a call to prove your mettle for our Party and NTUC, to fight not just for victory but for the soul of the people’s trust but for our country.
As a former lieutenant-general in the Singapore Armed Forces, you are no stranger to the art of defending your ground. Battleground strategies—rooted in preparation, adaptability, and decisive action—are second nature to you. Yet, in the political theater, you’ve yet to fully deploy these tactics. Consider the Battle of Stalingrad, where Soviet forces turned a defensive stand into a counteroffensive by leveraging intimate knowledge of the terrain and rallying the morale of their troops. In Jalan Kayu, your “terrain” is the community, a sleepy enclave—heartlanders grappling with cost-of-living pressures, job security, and aspirations for their families. You must know their streets, their struggles, and their hopes as intimately as any battlefield map. Or take the example of Wellington at Waterloo, who held his ground by anticipating Napoleon’s moves and maintaining disciplined communication with allies. You, too, must anticipate the Workers’ Party’s narrative in Jalan Kayu, countering their appeals with a compelling vision while aligning with comrades in Sengkang and Punggol to form a cohesive front.
Comrade Ng, fortune has dealt you a favorable hand in this election in Jalan Kayu SMC, where you face Andre Low, a relatively untested, in my opinion, weaker newcomer from the Workers’ Party. Compared to WP’s more seasoned candidates, Low presents a less formidable challenge, giving you a significant edge. Your experience, NTUC leadership, and party backing are powerful advantages—yet these mean little if you remain silent. Silence is not a strategy, Comrade; it surrenders the initiative to your opponent, allowing their narrative to take root unchallenged. Seize this moment to dominate the battlefield with clarity and conviction.
Your role as NTUC’s chief grants you unmatched influence, with over a million workers under your banner—a force no ordinary candidate could wield. These workers should be your vanguard, their votes a testament to your leadership. Yet, your handling of the NTUC Income saga risks undermining this advantage. The proposed sale to Allianz, a profit-driven global giant, has sparked doubts, as it seems to diverge from Income’s roots as a social enterprise dedicated to the vulnerable. Why did you endorse this global alignment? Comrade Ng, your assertion that Allianz could fix NTUC Income’s challenges seems at odds with the self-reliance and social purpose that anchor Income’s legacy as a social enterprise. If this endorsement was a misjudgment, rooted in flawed assumptions, own it with humility. Acknowledge the error, reaffirm your commitment to delivering value to policyholders and workers, and demonstrate how you will steer Income to meaningfully impact lives. Transparency here will show Jalan Kayu voters your dedication to their welfare and strengthen their trust in your leadership.
The concerns raised by Tan Suee Chieh, former CEO of NTUC Income, amplify these questions and demand your attention. In his open letter to Jalan Kayu voters, Tan details his private outreach to you and NTUC President K. Thanaletchimi in July 2024, expressing alarm over the Allianz deal. He went public with his concerns, posting extensively on social media to highlight risks to Income’s mission and governance. Your public endorsement of the sale on 5 August 2024, followed by silence as scrutiny mounted between 6 August and 14 October, when the deal collapsed amid public outcry and government intervention, has left a void. Tan, a respected figure in Income’s history, argues that as NTUC Secretary-General and a member of the NTUC Enterprise Board that approved the deal, you bear leadership responsibility.
The issue of 1 Marina Boulevard further compounds these concerns. This prime asset, granted to the Singapore Labour Foundation to advance workers’ welfare, has become a symbol of disconnect. A Grade A office in Marina Bay, with 48,302 square metres of gross floor area, could generate millions in lease revenue to fund worker programs. Instead, NTUC leaders occupy this costly space, far removed from the workers you serve. Why reside in such an exclusive enclave when those funds could uplift the needy? Why not lease it and channel the proceeds to retraining initiatives or financial aid?
Your silence is a liability not just to you but to our collective fight. Sengkang, now led by Comrade Lam Pin Min, is a battleground we cannot afford to lose again. Punggol GRC teeters on the edge, and a Workers’ Party victory there would forge a contiguous opposition bloc with Sengkang—a strategic disaster. Jalan Kayu, your new front, is an extension of this critical zone. You must defend it with the ferocity of a general holding a key outpost, but you cannot do so while shrouded in ambiguity. The masses are watching, and trust, once fractured, is hard to rebuild.
Comrade-to-Comrade Advice:
1. Speak with Transparency. Issue a public statement on the NTUC Income sale and Allianz partnership. Explain why this was pursued and how it aligns with Income’s social mission. Acknowledge concerns and outline steps to ensure Income’s roots are preserved. As a general, you know the power of clear communication to rally your forces—use it.
2. Recommit to NTUC’s Purpose. Publicly reaffirm NTUC Income and NTUC Enterprise as social enterprises. Propose measures—like revising the Allianz deal to prioritize social objectives or creating a stakeholder oversight body—to ensure decisions serve workers. This is your defensive line; fortify it.
3. Rethink 1 Marina Boulevard. Announce a review of this asset’s use. Consider leasing a portion to fund worker welfare programs, such as upskilling or financial support, and relocate NTUC’s headquarters to a more accessible location. Like a general repositioning resources, redirect these assets to where they’ll have the greatest impact.
4. Master Jalan Kayu’s Terrain. Engage residents through town halls and door-to-door visits. Listen to their concerns—cost of living, jobs, community needs—and share a vision for Jalan Kayu rooted in NTUC’s ethos. Your NTUC role is your artillery; deploy it to mobilize grassroots support.
5. Reinforce Sengkang and Punggol. While Jalan Kayu is your focus, lend your influence to Comrade Lam’s fight in Sengkang and the effort in Punggol. Rally NTUC members to volunteer and vote, strengthening our united front. Like a general coordinating with allies, ensure no flank is exposed.
Comrade Ng, you are a general forged in the crucible of leadership, and now is your hour to shine. Your personal commitment to Singapore’s workers, your resolve to conquer Jalan Kayu, and your duty to our nation’s future are one and the same. By stepping forward with the clarity of a commander and the heart of a comrade, you can silence doubters and reclaim the trust of the masses. Jalan Kayu is not just a seat—it’s your battlefield to prove you are the leader we need, one who fights for every worker, every family, and every dream that makes Singapore unbreakable. Draw on your strategic acumen, wield your NTUC influence like a well-aimed salvo, and lead with unyielding strength. For your legacy, for the SMC you champion, and for the Singapore we all defend, rise, Comrade. Be the indomitable force that holds the line and inspires a nation. We stand with you, ready to march to victory.
With unwavering faith in PAP’s strength,
A Fellow Comrade, ex-branch secretary of Thomson division
Comrade David Leong
Open letter to a comrade:
Dear Comrade Ng Chee Meng,
I write to you acknowledging the immense responsibility you bear as NTUC’s secretary-general and a steadfast comrade in our party’s mission. I must ask—gently but with urgency—why you’ve held back from clarifying your stance on the controversial sale of NTUC Income to Allianz. When the storm of criticism surged, your retreat into silence left comrades and constituents alike craving the bold, decisive leadership we know you can deliver. The people deserve your voice, Comrade, and your clarity is vital to restoring their trust.
I ventured a guess that the party’s decision to place you in Jalan Kayu SMC, rather than a GRC, reflects both your resilience and the steep challenge before you. Your loss in Sengkang GRC to the Workers’ Party in 2020 was a bitter blow, and the party probably decided that carrying you in a GRC could strain the team (again my guess). Jalan Kayu, carved from the volatile bloc near Sengkang and Punggol, is your battleground—a single seat where you must win hearts through courage, candor, and strategic prowess. PAP secretary-general, Comrade Lawrence’s prerogative in deployment is clear, but this is no mere assignment; it’s a call to prove your mettle for our Party and NTUC, to fight not just for victory but for the soul of the people’s trust but for our country.
As a former lieutenant-general in the Singapore Armed Forces, you are no stranger to the art of defending your ground. Battleground strategies—rooted in preparation, adaptability, and decisive action—are second nature to you. Yet, in the political theater, you’ve yet to fully deploy these tactics. Consider the Battle of Stalingrad, where Soviet forces turned a defensive stand into a counteroffensive by leveraging intimate knowledge of the terrain and rallying the morale of their troops. In Jalan Kayu, your “terrain” is the community, a sleepy enclave—heartlanders grappling with cost-of-living pressures, job security, and aspirations for their families. You must know their streets, their struggles, and their hopes as intimately as any battlefield map. Or take the example of Wellington at Waterloo, who held his ground by anticipating Napoleon’s moves and maintaining disciplined communication with allies. You, too, must anticipate the Workers’ Party’s narrative in Jalan Kayu, countering their appeals with a compelling vision while aligning with comrades in Sengkang and Punggol to form a cohesive front.
Comrade Ng, fortune has dealt you a favorable hand in this election in Jalan Kayu SMC, where you face Andre Low, a relatively untested, in my opinion, weaker newcomer from the Workers’ Party. Compared to WP’s more seasoned candidates, Low presents a less formidable challenge, giving you a significant edge. Your experience, NTUC leadership, and party backing are powerful advantages—yet these mean little if you remain silent. Silence is not a strategy, Comrade; it surrenders the initiative to your opponent, allowing their narrative to take root unchallenged. Seize this moment to dominate the battlefield with clarity and conviction.
Your role as NTUC’s chief grants you unmatched influence, with over a million workers under your banner—a force no ordinary candidate could wield. These workers should be your vanguard, their votes a testament to your leadership. Yet, your handling of the NTUC Income saga risks undermining this advantage. The proposed sale to Allianz, a profit-driven global giant, has sparked doubts, as it seems to diverge from Income’s roots as a social enterprise dedicated to the vulnerable. Why did you endorse this global alignment? Comrade Ng, your assertion that Allianz could fix NTUC Income’s challenges seems at odds with the self-reliance and social purpose that anchor Income’s legacy as a social enterprise. If this endorsement was a misjudgment, rooted in flawed assumptions, own it with humility. Acknowledge the error, reaffirm your commitment to delivering value to policyholders and workers, and demonstrate how you will steer Income to meaningfully impact lives. Transparency here will show Jalan Kayu voters your dedication to their welfare and strengthen their trust in your leadership.
The concerns raised by Tan Suee Chieh, former CEO of NTUC Income, amplify these questions and demand your attention. In his open letter to Jalan Kayu voters, Tan details his private outreach to you and NTUC President K. Thanaletchimi in July 2024, expressing alarm over the Allianz deal. He went public with his concerns, posting extensively on social media to highlight risks to Income’s mission and governance. Your public endorsement of the sale on 5 August 2024, followed by silence as scrutiny mounted between 6 August and 14 October, when the deal collapsed amid public outcry and government intervention, has left a void. Tan, a respected figure in Income’s history, argues that as NTUC Secretary-General and a member of the NTUC Enterprise Board that approved the deal, you bear leadership responsibility.
The issue of 1 Marina Boulevard further compounds these concerns. This prime asset, granted to the Singapore Labour Foundation to advance workers’ welfare, has become a symbol of disconnect. A Grade A office in Marina Bay, with 48,302 square metres of gross floor area, could generate millions in lease revenue to fund worker programs. Instead, NTUC leaders occupy this costly space, far removed from the workers you serve. Why reside in such an exclusive enclave when those funds could uplift the needy? Why not lease it and channel the proceeds to retraining initiatives or financial aid?
Your silence is a liability not just to you but to our collective fight. Sengkang, now led by Comrade Lam Pin Min, is a battleground we cannot afford to lose again. Punggol GRC teeters on the edge, and a Workers’ Party victory there would forge a contiguous opposition bloc with Sengkang—a strategic disaster. Jalan Kayu, your new front, is an extension of this critical zone. You must defend it with the ferocity of a general holding a key outpost, but you cannot do so while shrouded in ambiguity. The masses are watching, and trust, once fractured, is hard to rebuild.
Comrade-to-Comrade Advice:
1. Speak with Transparency. Issue a public statement on the NTUC Income sale and Allianz partnership. Explain why this was pursued and how it aligns with Income’s social mission. Acknowledge concerns and outline steps to ensure Income’s roots are preserved. As a general, you know the power of clear communication to rally your forces—use it.
2. Recommit to NTUC’s Purpose. Publicly reaffirm NTUC Income and NTUC Enterprise as social enterprises. Propose measures—like revising the Allianz deal to prioritize social objectives or creating a stakeholder oversight body—to ensure decisions serve workers. This is your defensive line; fortify it.
3. Rethink 1 Marina Boulevard. Announce a review of this asset’s use. Consider leasing a portion to fund worker welfare programs, such as upskilling or financial support, and relocate NTUC’s headquarters to a more accessible location. Like a general repositioning resources, redirect these assets to where they’ll have the greatest impact.
4. Master Jalan Kayu’s Terrain. Engage residents through town halls and door-to-door visits. Listen to their concerns—cost of living, jobs, community needs—and share a vision for Jalan Kayu rooted in NTUC’s ethos. Your NTUC role is your artillery; deploy it to mobilize grassroots support.
5. Reinforce Sengkang and Punggol. While Jalan Kayu is your focus, lend your influence to Comrade Lam’s fight in Sengkang and the effort in Punggol. Rally NTUC members to volunteer and vote, strengthening our united front. Like a general coordinating with allies, ensure no flank is exposed.
Comrade Ng, you are a general forged in the crucible of leadership, and now is your hour to shine. Your personal commitment to Singapore’s workers, your resolve to conquer Jalan Kayu, and your duty to our nation’s future are one and the same. By stepping forward with the clarity of a commander and the heart of a comrade, you can silence doubters and reclaim the trust of the masses. Jalan Kayu is not just a seat—it’s your battlefield to prove you are the leader we need, one who fights for every worker, every family, and every dream that makes Singapore unbreakable. Draw on your strategic acumen, wield your NTUC influence like a well-aimed salvo, and lead with unyielding strength. For your legacy, for the SMC you champion, and for the Singapore we all defend, rise, Comrade. Be the indomitable force that holds the line and inspires a nation. We stand with you, ready to march to victory.
With unwavering faith in PAP’s strength,
A Fellow Comrade, ex-branch secretary of Thomson division
Comrade David Leong
