Forum: Ng Eng Hen’s advice would be invaluable to Singapore’s next defence minister
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I refer to Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen’s retirement from politics ( Ng Eng Hen, S’pore’s longest-serving defence minister, will not contest GE2025
Dr Ng has held various government appointments, but I’m grateful that he helmed Singapore’s Defence Ministry for the longest.
No nation can prosper economically without a strong defence force. Singaporeans have enjoyed many years of peace and been able to build comfortable lives.
Whenever I read about the sufferings in Ukraine, Gaza and other parts of the world, I realise we should never take our nation’s security for granted. Total Defence is not just a tagline.
Dr Ng, who has occasionally quoted Winston Churchill’s “to jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war”, has been able to gingerly balance Singapore’s military position between two superpowers. This is no small feat.
As Singapore does not leave things to chance or fate, and uses whatever resources are available for its survival, I hope Dr Ng will offer his services as an adviser after he steps down. His experience would be invaluable to Singapore’s next defence minister.
Victor Choong Yu Fook
