GE2025: SM Teo Chee Hean’s contributions left indelible mark on Singapore, says PM Wong
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean greeting PAP supporters at the Yusof Ishak Secondary School nomination centre on April 23.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Follow topic:
SINGAPORE – Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean’s contributions to defence, climate action, diplomacy and security have left an indelible mark and helped Singapore to stand tall in the world, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
In a valedictory letter to SM Teo on May 6, PM Wong thanked him for his lifetime of service to Singapore and expressed his appreciation for his unwavering service and dedication to the nation and its people.
SM Teo, 70, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, is stepping down from the Cabinet and politics. Both he and Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat confirmed their retirement from politics on April 23, which was Nomination Day.
“You dedicated your entire 53-year career to safeguarding and advancing the interests of Singapore and Singaporeans,” PM Wong said in the letter.
Thanking the Prime Minister for his kind thoughts and words, SM Teo said in a social media post on the same day that all he tried to do was to serve Singapore and Singaporeans as well as he could.
“I thank each and every one of the many colleagues, partners and volunteers who were on this journey together; without you, we would not have travelled so far on this fruitful and fulfilling journey,” he said. “Many thanks for the honour and privilege to have served.”
In his letter, PM Wong said SM Teo led work on important and difficult issues with rigour and thoughtfulness.
This included implementing the recommendations of the Constitutional Commission to review specific aspects of the elected presidency in 2016 and taking the related constitutional amendments through in Parliament.
Most recently, he conducted the review of the use of NRIC numbers
“You approached each of these demanding assignments with thoroughness and clarity, never hesitating to hold individuals accountable when necessary, and making sure that the Government will always have the moral courage and conviction to do the right thing, and to do right by Singapore,” PM Wong wrote.
SM Teo’s leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic was invaluable and exemplary, PM Wong added.
At the national level, SM Teo led efforts to manage the outbreak in migrant worker dormitories – responding swiftly and steadily to an urgent and potentially dangerous crisis.
“You were calm and composed under pressure, and you inspired the civil servants and SAF officers who worked with you during those difficult days,” PM Wong said. “In the community, you ensured residents remained connected through online town halls and community forums, despite the restrictions on physical gatherings.”
SM Teo’s efforts to preserve a sense of community during those challenging times were deeply felt and appreciated by residents, he said.
SM Teo started out as a navy officer in 1972 and rose through the ranks, eventually leaving the armed forces as chief of navy in 1992 to enter politics.
His dedication to the nation continued throughout his political career, 16 years of which were spent at the Ministry of Defence in various capacities.
As defence minister from 2003 to 2011, SM Teo’s visionary leadership was pivotal to the third-generation transformation of the Singapore Armed Forces, PM Wong said.
The acquisition of advanced equipment for land, sea and air combat, and his foresight in creating an integrated and networked force enabled servicemen and servicewomen to fight more effectively.
Because of these efforts, the SAF is now equipped with the cutting-edge capabilities it needs to meet evolving security challenges, PM Wong added.
SM Teo also led the SAF to make operational deployments for Singapore’s security.
In the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, the SAF mounted Operation Flying Eagle to provide Indonesia and Thailand with aid. This remains the largest humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation undertaken by the SAF, said PM Wong.
Under SM Teo’s watch, the SAF also contributed to peace operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Gulf of Aden to support peace and security in regions of the world that have an impact on Singapore.
Beyond strengthening military capabilities, SM Teo has fostered strong ties with the Republic’s defence partners, PM Wong noted.
He worked with his counterparts to establish the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus in 2010, which has become a major platform for security cooperation and dialogue between Asean member states and eight partner countries.
He also played a key role in developing the Shangri-La Dialogue into the premier defence forum for the Asia-Pacific.
When SM Teo went to the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2011, he began transforming the Home Team, accelerating the integration of technology to speed up and strengthen police and civil defence responses.
He also enhanced the capacity of the Home Team through community partnerships, tapping Singaporeans as ears and eyes on the ground to help fight crime, counter radicalisation and terrorism, and be first responders in fire and medical emergencies.
He kept abreast of the scourge of cyber attacks and cybercrimes by setting up the Singapore Police Force’s Cybercrime Command.
In 2011, he was appointed coordinating minister for national security, taking on the critical task of ensuring that Singapore’s external and domestic security strategies are well-integrated and forward-looking, PM Wong said.
He led the work to establish the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore to deal with cyber threats.
He also set the direction for the Home Affairs and Defence ministries to work in closer collaboration.
“Beyond defence and security, you made a lasting impact on generations of young Singaporeans,” PM Wong said.
As minister for education, SM Teo drove bold and necessary reforms to prepare Singapore for a knowledge-based economy. One major shift was to update the primary, secondary and junior college curriculums to better develop thinking, communication and process skills.
He steered reviews of the mother tongue language curriculum, leading to the introduction of new syllabuses to better suit the needs of students.
He also initiated single-session primary schools and freed up space and time for students to participate in a wider range of co-curricular and enrichment activities – enhancing not just academic outcomes, but also students’ affective, social and physical development.
As deputy prime minister and later as senior minister, SM Teo brought his wealth of experience and sharp strategic mind to bear on critical national issues, PM Wong said.
“You never hesitated to speak your mind and voice different views in Cabinet, making our discussions more robust,” he noted.
SM Teo chaired many committees on complex and cross-cutting matters, including the existential issue of climate change. In this role, he coordinated Singapore’s climate action efforts, balancing tough trade-offs to formulate practical net-zero goals.
“You represented Singapore with distinction on the global stage, furthering Singapore’s relations with key partners,” said PM Wong.
As Singapore’s co-chair of the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation with China, he oversaw the establishment of its third government-to-government project, the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative.
He was also instrumental in establishing the Singapore-China Forum on Leadership and the Singapore-China Social Governance Forum, which have broadened bilateral cooperation and provided platforms for the younger generation of leaders on both sides to build strong ties.
With Indonesia, SM Teo guided sensitive negotiations that successfully concluded three landmark agreements
“You helped Singapore to stand tall in the world, and created space and opportunities for our country internationally,” PM Wong said.
On the ground, SM Teo has served his residents for more than three decades.
He was first elected in the 1992 Marine Parade GRC by-election as a member of then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong’s team, before moving to contest in Pasir Ris GRC during the 1997 General Election. He has been re-elected there five times since, a clear testament to his residents’ trust in him, said PM Wong.
“As the steadfast anchor for the Pasir Ris-Punggol team, you provided unwavering stability and leadership,” he said.
“Your residents appreciate your proactive, practical and thoughtful approach to ground issues – addressing their concerns, improving their lives, and creating a strong sense of community.”
They saw the benefits of impactful developments, such as the opening of facilities including Pasir Ris Mall and Pasir Ris Polyclinic, as well as social schemes such as the Pasir Ris-Punggol Career Marketplace done in partnership with the NTUC, he added.
SM Teo was also a trusted mentor to new PAP MPs, instilling in them his deep sense of duty and service, PM Wong said.
“Your dedication to nurturing future leaders, both within your GRC team and the wider party, speaks to your belief in long-term leadership renewal,” said PM Wong.
“As first assistant secretary-general of the PAP in 2015, you played a key role in the party’s leadership transition and charting its future direction.”
PM Wong said that when he entered politics in 2011, SM Teo was already a seasoned leader.
“I have benefited greatly from your generous guidance and wise counsel. If I can take Singapore forward from here, it is only because earlier generations of leaders like you have worked hard to safeguard our future.”
He added: “My team and I will do our utmost to continue your ethos – protecting what we have built, and bringing Singapore onward and upward.”
Chin Soo Fang is senior correspondent at The Straits Times covering topics such as community, politics, social issues, consumer, culture and heritage.
