‘The thing that I remember most is the people,' says SM Teo
'The thing that I remember most is the people,' says SM Teo
SINGAPORE – When Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean was in the Ministry of Home Affairs, he took a keen interest in the footwear of his officers.
He was happy to see that they had nice boots that could be removed easily so they could enter people's homes, but would not slip off when they were chasing people.
It was also important that they were comfortable, as the officers spent so much time on their feet.
He also looked into the weight of their communication sets, and whether their body-worn cameras would cause heat stress.
'These kinds of things are important to the person on the ground because it helps them to get the job done better,' he said.
Whether as an MP looking after his residents, or an architect of national policy, SM Teo's philosophy has been to make sure that he understands the ground and helps everyone do their job better.
When he was with the Education Ministry, he gave the teachers proper staffrooms with their own workstations, instead of having them share desks.
Speaking to the media at the Ministry of Home Affairs on May 20, SM Teo said his approach is always to try to understand the situation, down to the last person.
This was the last interview for SM Teo in his current capacity before his retirement, following an illustrious career spanning more than three decades.
A giant in the public service with a lifetime of contributions to Singapore and Singaporeans, SM Teo is a core member of Singapore's third-generation political leadership team, serving as deputy prime minister from 2009 to 2019. He has been Coordinating Minister for National Security since 2011, and was appointed Senior Minister in 2019.
Asked what he would miss most, he said without pausing that 'the thing that I remember most is the people'.
These include the volunteers in his Pasir Ris constituency – 'wonderful people who have their own problems but still find time to help others'.
He recently featured on social media one of his 'favourite families' that faced crises but continued to serve.
'They continue to serve the community, with heart and soul, and they still continue to do so.
'These are ordinary Singaporeans doing extraordinary things, out of all the goodness of their heart.'
The people he misses are also the officers he has interacted with across the many different agencies and the Public Service Division.
'You know, sometimes I tell officers – you want to be in the public service, you must be the type of person who derives happiness from seeing other people happy... We have many, many officers like that, committed, dedicated, particularly in uniformed services,' he said.
Those in the uniformed services are prepared to lay down their lives to save others, he added, and leading these organisations has been a 'very special privilege'.
There are also his friends from abroad who have worked with him on different matters.
'Sometimes, we have our differences, but we find a way of working together,' he said. 'We may disagree, but there is no need to be disagreeable.'
As a small country, it is not easy for Singapore to stand up and be taken seriously, noted SM Teo, who has helped forge ties or guide sensitive negotiations with other nations.
'So, you must be very clear what your own interests are. You must also understand what their interests are,' he said. 'And you can think that through and try and identify areas where you can work together.'
In a valedictory letter to SM Teo on May 6, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had thanked the Senior Minister for dedicating his entire 53-year career to safeguarding and advancing the interests of Singapore and Singaporeans.
PM Wong also said in the letter that SM Teo's contributions to defence, climate action, diplomacy and security have left an indelible mark and helped Singapore to stand tall in the world.
SM Teo started out as a navy officer in 1972, eventually leaving the armed forces as chief of navy in 1992 to enter politics.
His first Cabinet appointment was as minister of state for finance as well as communications in 1992. He has also been minister for home affairs, defence, education, and the environment.
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 Pasir Ris GRC during the 1997 General Election. He has been re-elected there five times since.
He is stepping down because he thinks succession is important, and also for his residents, he said.
'When you become a Member of Parliament, you commit to your residents. You work for them 100 plus per cent for five years,' said SM Teo, who is well known for his late nights at Meet-the-People Sessions, not leaving till the last person has been seen.
'If you see that there are people who can serve the residents more energetically and better than you can, then you should let the residents be served by them.'
In his over three decades in politics, he has had to make many tough decisions.
'Decisions are never easy, because they all have to balance many different factors and they impact the individual lives of people and their interests,' he said.
'For politics in Singapore, you are a Member of Parliament first before you are a minister. And so you cannot make policy and then go hide in your ivory tower... you have to meet your residents,' he added.
When the Government introduced MediShield Life, for example, he visited four homes in one night, and they were all thankful for it.
There are long-term issues that take much time for the results to be seen, one of which is education, he noted.
'If our education system is good, it has got nothing to do with me because my predecessors made the decision,' he quipped, adding that if the education system is bad in future, it would be his fault.
SM Teo, who was education minister from 1997 to 2003, said he was happy to have revamped the careers of teachers and elevated their status.
Another achievement was establishing the Institute of Technical Education colleges to give the students better facilities and a sense of hope for the future.
He has been tasked with handling many sensitive issues over the years, including the Oxley Road debate and, more recently, the review of the use of NRIC numbers in the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority's Bizfile service.
While Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong is known as Singapore's 'task force man' looking after the economy and trade, and former politician Khaw Boon Wan was 'Mr Fix-It' for his knack for solving hot-button issues, could SM Teo be called 'Mr Firefighter' for his ability to defuse crises?
'Well, when I was a kid, I wanted to be a firefighter,' he said with a chuckle. 'My father brought me to all these exhibitions when the old Kallang Airport closed down... and there were fire engines down there. So, I climbed into a fire engine and wanted to be a fireman.'
On his plans after his retirement, SM Teo said he would assist in any way that PM Wong feels he can be helpful.
Looking back on his lifetime of service, he said it has been a satisfying journey.
'I think I have been able to contribute in some ways,' he said.
'But one must have a certain humility about all these things, because many people travel on the journey with you, and you cannot do any of these things on your own.'
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Straits Times
Jobs, infrastructure and homes at the core of Singapore's resilience: Economists
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox PM Lawrence Wong said artificial intelligence will continue to disrupt the economy, hence the usual mantra of reskill, upskill and lifelong learning remains valid. SINGAPORE - Singapore's economy remains resilient despite US tariff uncertainties, thanks to the nation's core strengths in job creation, infrastructure and housing, economists said after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally on Aug 17. While no new handouts were announced, PM Wong has set out a strategy focused on equipping workers with new skills, helping businesses adopt technology, renewing the living environment and ensuring affordable housing for future generations - priorities that economists said play to Singapore's long-term strengths. 'PM Wong's second National Day Rally speech charted a forward-looking vision for Singapore and its citizens: one filled with hope, possibilities, and opportunities, yet firmly grounded in realism and caution. The short-to-medium term challenges are immense, particularly in the economic front,' said Mr Suan Teck Kin, head of research at UOB. Artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to disrupt the economy, hence the usual mantra of reskill, upskill and lifelong learning remains valid, he said. 'The core message is how will Singapore not only survive, but thrive in this unknown world,' Mr Suan said. The immediate priorities are safeguarding jobs and securing Singapore's interests through international business deals, Mr Suan said. In the medium term, he added, the focus should be on helping all segments of society harness innovation and technology to lift productivity and create new value across the economy. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore LTA, public transport operators join anti-vaping effort with stepped-up enforcement Opinion It's time vaping offences had tougher consequences Singapore Malaysia's Inspector-General receives prestigious Singapore award Asia 2 firefighters die in building fire at Osaka's Dotonbori tourist district Singapore Woman hurt after car turns turtle in Upper Thomson accident Singapore Jail for driver of 11-tonne garbage truck that ran over cyclist in Woodlands Life 'Unexpected challenge': Actor Jet Li in hospital for operation Maybank economist Chua Hak Bin said Singapore's economy has so far been absorbing the shocks from US tariffs. However, it remains vulnerable if the levies are hiked further and US-China rivalry intensifies. 'PM Wong is preparing Singaporeans for the risks and uncertainty from a more fragmented world,' Dr Chua said. A 1 per cent slide in global growth could shave about 0.7 percentage points off Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) growth, Dr Chua said. Dr Chua said new government funded job matching schemes will strengthen the labour market by helping fresh graduates secure traineeships aligned with their skills and fields. The government is leveraging the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) and Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone to develop and invest in the northern region of the Republic. Singapore will be building flexible industrial spaces around the RTS Link station in Woodlands North to support businesses taking advantage of the JSSEZ, in addition to new homes in nearby Kranji and Sembawang. 'The step up in infrastructure and construction spending will help cushion the economy from any global trade slowdown. More broadly, developing the north and coastal protection infrastructure will sustain Singapore's ongoing construction boom until the end of the decade,' Dr Chua said. Maybank is keeping its 2025 GDP growth forecast for Singapore at 3.2 per cent, which is higher than the Ministry of Trade and Industry's revised forecast range of 1.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent. DBS economist Chua Han Teng said the direct impact of the US tariff will be limited, but Singapore's exports and economy could suffer indirect hits in the second-half 2025 and beyond through its trade linkages with key partners. While the US has lowered its tariffs for several countries, the levies are still mostly in the range of 10 per cent to 30 per cent, and are the highest US tariffs in nearly a century, PM Wong had said. For China, the tariffs on many goods still remain above 50 per cent. DBS's Mr Chua expects these ongoing tariff uncertainties will continue to weigh on business sentiment, resulting in firms hesitating on future investment and hiring plans. Eventually, activities in the trade-related manufacturing, wholesale trade, as well as transport and storage sectors will moderate, bearing the brunt of the overall weakness, he said. Given the more protectionist global landscape and ageing demographics, AI can boost productivity by accelerating business processes, enhancing efficiency, and allowing a focus on higher value-added activities, the DBS economist said. He sees significant room for companies in Singapore to widely adopt AI in the coming years, noting that only 4.2 per cent of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) here used AI in 2023. DBS's Mr Chua also welcomed the three targeted employment and re-skilling measures aimed at easing job security concerns: a government-funded traineeship for fresh graduates , a CDC-level job-matching scheme, and enhancements to the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme for mid-career workers. The traineeship will support a broad spectrum of ITE, Polytechnic, and University graduates. This should help graduates embark on their first steps in their careers to gain experience and relevance in order to secure future full-time positions, he said. PM Wong said that if the economy worsens, the traineeship programme will be scaled up. 'We think that this fresh graduate support would be akin to the SGUnited Traineeships programme adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic, with room to tweak various criteria such as duration, government co-funding, and stipend amount,' the DBS economist said. He said the enhancements to the SkillsFuture Level Up Programme - introduced in 2024 - will reinforce the importance of enhancing human capital. Two enhancements were announced: First, to allow a portion of the training allowances to be claimed for part-time courses; and second, to expand the course offerings. 'These efforts would likely support mid-career and mature workers, who face downside pressures in re-entering the labour market six months post-retrenchment, to keep up with evolving employer needs,' DBS's Mr Chua said. Read more: Key announcements from PM Wong's first National Day Rally Watch PM Wong's National Day Rally speech here:
AsiaOne
12 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Using CDC vouchers to buy durians, rock and roll: Some light-hearted moments from PM Wong's NDR2025 speech, Singapore News
The National Day Rally (NDR) speech is mostly about policies, planning and the serious matters of governance. During the NDR speech on Sunday (Aug 17), Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had all of that, but he injected some light-hearted moments that had the audience in stitches. Here are some of those light-hearted moments: Durians over daily necessities During his Mandarin speech, PM Wong brought up the CDC and SG60 vouchers given to Singaporeans as part of relief measures amid cost-of-living pressures. He pointed out how durian sellers had quickly put up posters announcing that vouchers can be used to purchase their Musang King durians. "The media reported that a couple had in a single purchase, spent $800 worth of vouchers to buy durians," he said. "I know many people love durians. I like them too. However, after satisfying your durian cravings, please don't forget to save some vouchers for your daily essentials," he said, half in jest, much to the laughter from the audience. A small umbrella There's a forecast of rain in the near future and Singaporeans may need an umbrella to weather the storm. Addressing how Singaporeans will need to work together to share this 'umbrella', PM Wong recalled the 1980s hit Hokkien song Cit Ke Sio Ho Sua (For A Small Umbrella). The song, which tells the story of two people sharing an umbrella in the rain, had two people soaking wet with the path ahead barely visible. However, the duo continued to sing: "As the rain gets heavier, I will take care of you, and you will take care of me." "While there will be stormy weather on the road ahead, I firmly believe that we will look out for one another, weather the storms together and usher in a new era as one," PM Wong explained. "As long as we stay united and forge ahead, we will be able to write a new and more exciting chapter of the Singapore story," he enthused. Built on rock and roll On the topic of music, the Prime Minister highlighted how every generation worries about negative influences. Prior to his time, he said, bad influence was believed to come in the form of comic books and rock music. "Rock music was frowned upon — it was seen as a corrupting Western influence that promoted a decadent lifestyle," PM Wong said. "We cut back on broadcasting rock music on the radio, we banned jukeboxes. In the early 70s, we didn't allow rock band Led Zeppelin to perform here," he shared. Some members of the audience were shocked to hear this, with some, including Aljunied GRC People's Action Party candidate Daniel Liu, who was seen sporting a quizzical look. PM Wong added: "If you don't know Led Zeppelin, you're missing out on the good stuff." Eventually, the restrictions were relaxed, and PM Wong grew up with both comics and rock music, of which the latter was a key part of his upbringing. "We all turned out fine," he said. Trick question? Being Singapore's Prime Minister doesn't mean you have to be a math whiz. PM Wong spoke of the developments in artificial intelligence (AI), and how it used to be incapable of solving simple mathematical equations. Showing one such question on screen, PM Wong commented: "It's not a trick question, everyone can answer it." Many members of the audience laughed knowingly, some even shaking their heads at how simple the basic arithmetic question was. Instead of solving the question, AI would answer obliquely, giving a nonsensical response, he said. Recently, AI took part in the International Math Olympiad, earning a gold medal. Flashing one of the questions from the examination on the screen, PM Wong admitted: "It's so complex I can't even understand the question, but AI got it right! "I won't show you the answer, I don't think anyone even understands the question, let alone the answer!" The 'ulu' north He also took the opportunity to speak on the northern region of Singapore, which has been addressed less than other regions, he said. "Some people say that the northern part of Singapore is more ulu (remote)... I assure you, it's not," he asserted, promising to focus on the northern region in his speech. This elicited cheers and applause from members of the audience, with some — presumably from the northern parts of Singapore — expressing enthused approval at his statement. True to his word, PM Wong highlighted three areas in the north: Woodlands, Kranji and Sembawang. He shared goals for redeveloping Woodlands Checkpoint, building a new housing estate in Kranji and repurposing Sembawang shipyard among other plans. "Just as we transformed Punggol, these plans will take shape in the years ahead, and they will become reality," PM Wong said. He added: "That's how we make sure every part of Singapore shines — each with its own character, and a place we can all be proud to call home." khooyihang@
CNA
12 hours ago
- CNA
Commentary: PM Lawrence Wong's NDR speech focused largely on practical policy issues for a reason
SINGAPORE: In a year when Singapore marked its 60th birthday and the incumbent People's Action Party secured a decisive win at the polls, many had expected this year's National Day Rally (NDR) – depending on who you asked – to be uplifting, inspirational or even come with a touch of razzle-dazzle. I for one was curious to see what approach Prime Minister Lawrence Wong would take. This was his second NDR as leader, and the first since securing an improved mandate in the May general election - bucking the historical trend of the ruling party's vote share declining after a new prime minister takes office. Would he seek to add more texture to the vision of his 4G team for Singapore in the next 60 years, lay out a road map for how Singapore can remain ' exceptional ', address the multiple challenges facing the country in an increasingly complex and contested global environment, or would he continue the SG60 celebratory rhetoric? A FOCUS ON PRACTICAL POLICY As it turns out, Mr Wong devoted most of his speech to addressing practical policy issues that are likely on the minds of many Singaporeans. These included the government's efforts to review the economy amid global headwinds, its prioritisation of technology and innovation as a way to create jobs for Singaporeans while remaining competitive and attractive to talent and investment, and how to tap on emerging technologies like quantum computing and artificial intelligence while protecting the youth from the negative effects of overuse and over-reliance on such tech. He also spoke about social challenges such as vaping, and Singapore's journey to becoming a super-aged society in the years ahead. About two-thirds of his one-and-a-half-hour speech in English focused on these policy areas, with the rest spent on broader ideas tied to his vision of a 'Singapore Spirit'. Perhaps this should not be surprising, given what emerged during GE2025. Many observers noted that Singaporeans had displayed greater pragmatism and a more practical approach when casting their votes, evaluating candidates more on what they had or could do on the ground, rather than lofty ideals or political rhetoric. 'That is how my team and I intend to lead. Not just doing things for Singaporeans – but doing things with Singaporeans,' Mr Wong said in his speech. With this in mind, Mr Wong could have been seeking to send a clear message to these citizens that he and his government remain focused on addressing the key challenges facing the country, while potentially avoiding any over-reliance on the SG60 narrative. At the same time, some observers have noted that, if these are the most pressing issues that the Singapore Prime Minister had to address in his most seminal speech of the year, then perhaps Singapore deserves its reputation as a comparatively stable, secure and well-run nation amid the current global uncertainty. A 'WE FIRST' SOCIETY But Mr Wong did devote time in his speech to laying out his vision for what he called the 'Singapore Spirit', with an emphasis on building a 'we first' society. He described this as one in which Singaporeans focused on 'strengthening bonds with each other instead of just looking out for their own self-interests', and said that this will be essential in ensuring that Singapore continues to survive and thrive. He said that this is because 'if everyone only thinks about 'me', and puts 'me' ahead of 'we', then we are finished. Society will fray, and things will fall apart.' Mr Wong also took the opportunity to underscore the need for collective effort involving government, businesses, workers, unions, community groups and civil society as 'we certainly don't want to end up as a society where people rely solely on the government'. This is shaping up to be a key feature of his 4G government, where co-creation with citizens and not a unilateral approach from the government will form the basis of the character and future of society. NOT IN MY BACKYARD Given the growing tendency for countries around the world to look inward and place greater emphasis on individual interests as opposed to collective good, and the manifestation of this in the form of protectionist behaviour and rejection of external ideas and even the presence of foreigners, Mr Wong's call to action to Singaporeans is a timely one. The critical question is what this vision will require in terms of actual shifts in mindset and behaviour across society. Such societal shifts are notoriously difficult to effect, if historical precedent is anything to go by. It is not uncommon for a 'not in my backyard' or 'NIMBY' attitude to outweigh the instinct to sacrifice individual concerns for the greater good. But perhaps the first and most important step is to acknowledge the challenges that precipitate the need for such a shift, and what better occasion than one of the most anticipated national addresses like the National Day Rally. Unlike in previous years, there were no big reveals or headline-grabbing 'goodies'. Last year, for example, Mr Wong announced changes to the Gifted Education Programme for primary schools, a major revamp of the Kallang precinct, an additional 10 weeks of shared parental leave and temporary financial support for involuntarily unemployed workers. Perhaps, in line with putting 'we' before 'me', Mr Wong may be leaving such announcements to his 4G team. More importantly, he used the occasion to speak to the more existential challenge of defining the Singapore spirit needed to ensure that all stakeholders – the government and every citizen – begin to pull in the same direction together for the country to be successful now and in the decades to come.
