Companies, start-ups approach Teo Ser Luck with job offers

SINGAPORE - Large corporations, small firms and aspiring entrepreneurs have been approaching Minister of State for Manpower Teo Ser Luck with job offers since it was announced last month that he was returning to the private sector.

But he does not have time to pursue these opportunities as yet. He said his focus remains on his duties at the Manpower Ministry, which he will relinquish on June 30.

"I'm very excited about some of the enquiries because I see the effort that young people are putting into their business concepts, and that's very encouraging," Mr Teo told reporters on Tuesday (May 23) at a charity golf and dinner event for the North East Community Development Council (CDC).

The 48-year-old steps down as mayor of North East District on Friday (May 26), and will remain an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

He had represented the constituency since he entered politics in 2006.

Tuesday's event at Raffles Country Club - his final appearance as Mayor - raised $543,000 from businesses and individuals for the CDC social programmes.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Education Minister (Schools) Ng Chee Meng, and Tampines GRC MP Desmond Choo, the incoming mayor for North East District.

The spotlight, however, was on Mr Teo.

Appearing visibly relaxed on stage, he dropped his prepared remarks and spoke off the cuff, acknowledging the various people who helped him during his eight years as mayor.

He thanked DPM Teo for supporting an early proposal he made on increasing interaction between the CDC staff' and grassroots organisations.

He also thanked North East CDC partnership committee chairman Russell Tham for his long-time contributions.

He then regaled the crowd with stories of how they met while playing video games as students at Nanyang Technological University.

Turning to his successor, he called on CDC staff and donors to give their full support to Mr Choo, who will be sworn in as mayor on Wednesday. He will assume his duties on Saturday .

Mr Teo drew loud, appreciative laughs when he said with a broad grin that he hoped for success in his future business ventures so that he could donate more money at next year's edition of this event.

He received a standing ovation at the end of his speech.

After a charity auction, Mr Teo went to each dinner table to thank the guests, who expressed good wishes to him with handshakes and backslaps.

Asked how he felt about leaving after more than a decade as an office holder, Mr Teo said he preferred to focus on the future.

"I'm the kind who looks forward and it's not in my nature to get too emotional," he said.

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