Ng Chee Meng asks not to be given govt role; addresses Su Haijin photo, controversial MOE dialogue

Labour chief and Jalan Kayu MP Ng Chee Meng has asked Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to not assign him any position in government.

- Samuel Devaraj and Sue-Ann Tan

"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 said, adding that PM Wong has agreed to consider his request.

In a statement issued on May 6, Mr Ng also apologised in response to criticisms about his conduct at a Ministry of Education (MOE) dialogue in 2017, and addressed a photo that has surfaced of him with Fujian gang member Su Haijin, who was later convicted of money laundering.

On the MOE dialogue, Mr Ng said: "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."

Online posts had circulated about what Mr Ng had supposedly said during a dialogue with teachers during his time as education minister (schools).

The series of Instagram stories by a poster who used to be with MOE claimed Mr Ng had reacted angrily to a question, and that he also asked attendees if they read fiction or serious books.

Mr Ng said: "I could have handled the situation better. I sincerely apologise. I have received and accepted the feedback, and will continue to do better."

He added that he greatly values the work that teachers do every day, and that they make a tremendous difference in students' lives.