On behalf of Dr Kwee Liong Keng and Prof Tommy Koh, we would like to invite you to the Pontiac Land-IPS Food for Thought One-table Lunch with Dr Ng Eng Hen, Singapore’s former Minister for Defence.
An oncologist and surgeon by training, Dr Ng left his successful medical practice in 2001 to enter politics. He spent 24 years heading various portfolios, where he effected change through numerous initiatives. He is Singapore’s longest-serving defence minister, helming the Ministry of Defence for 14 years until his retirement in 2025. Under his leadership, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) ensured that it stayed ahead of the curve, with efforts such as the setting up of the Digital and Intelligence Service and the acquisition and development of next-generation military capabilities. Internationally, the SAF participated in multiple humanitarian missions while domestically, it proved itself to be an unshakeable pillar of Singapore society through its contributions to the country’s COVID-19 response operations, even as it continued its core mission of safeguarding Singapore’s independence and territorial integrity.
Dr Ng was also an excellent practitioner of defence diplomacy. His participation in the annual Shangri-La Dialogue and the Munich Security Forum was widely admired.
During his time as Minister for Education, Dr Ng built new pathways for students by establishing the Singapore University of Technology and Design. He also oversaw the creation of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University. As Minister for Manpower, he introduced the Workplace Safety and Health Act and started the Workforce Development Agency (now known as Workforce Singapore) to improve the welfare of workers in Singapore.
Join Dr Ng as he reflects on his 24 years in public service, his thoughts about the future and his hopes for Singapore.