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Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Forum: Let's not drift into identity politics
I read with interest the article, 'Identity politics gained more prominence in GE2025, unity is S'pore's key strength: SM Teo' (May 21). Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean's caution about the greater prominence of identity politics in GE2025 deserves serious reflection – not only by politicians, but also by all Singaporeans. Singapore's success has never depended on erasing differences. Instead, it has come from weaving them into a common fabric – one that values diversity but insists on shared purpose. This is not an easy feat. Few countries have managed to hold together such a mix of cultures, languages and faiths without slipping into polarisation or paralysis. Yet today, the threat is less about overt conflict and more about subtle drift. Identity politics – once a foreign narrative – now laps at our shores. It speaks the language of justice and representation, but when untethered from national interest, it can erode trust, segment the electorate, and turn community into cleavages. The airing of legitimate concerns – be they cultural, religious, linguistic or socio-economic – is paramount in a maturing democracy. But when electoral strategies begin to revolve around who one is, rather than what one stands for, politics assumes a negative narrative. We must remember that no group in Singapore is an island. The HDB housing blocks, the hawker centres, the LRT and MRT trains – all are daily reminders that our lives are deeply interwoven. Elections, too, should reflect that. Campaigns must speak to what unites us, even as they address what distinguishes us. We cannot outsource this responsibility. Singaporeans must value leaders who articulate inclusive visions over parochial appeals. Educators, media and civil society must resist negative imported narratives that amplify cleavages and division over dialogue. And political parties must remember that their legitimacy rests not just in representing interests, but also in reinforcing the social fabric. Irwan Jamil More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
‘The thing that I remember most is the people,' says SM Teo
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean is retiring from politics after an illustrious career spanning more than three decades. ST PHOTO: BRIAN 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.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘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.' Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SM Teo Chee Hean's contributions left indelible mark on Singapore, says PM Wong
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 in the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority's Bizfile service, delivering a 'thorough and definitive account in Parliament on what went wrong and how we could do better'. '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 – the Flight Information Region Agreement, the Extradition Treaty and the Defence Cooperation Agreement – resolving three complex, longstanding bilateral issues. '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. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
SM Teo Chee Hean's contributions left indelible mark on S'pore, says PM Wong
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, 70, is stepping down from Cabinet and politics. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO SINGAPORE - Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean's contributions in 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 SM Teo for his lifetime of service for 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 Cabinet and politics. PM Wong had paid tribute to him and Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who is also retiring, on Nomination Day on April 23. 'You dedicated your entire 53-year career to safeguarding and advancing the interests of Singapore and Singaporeans,' PM Wong said in the letter . Thanking PM Wong 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 in the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority's Bizfile service, delivering a 'thorough and definitive account in Parliament on what went wrong and how we could do better'. '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,' he 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,' he 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, his visionary leadership was pivotal to the Third Generation transformation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), 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 aid to Indonesia and Thailand. This remains the largest humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation undertaken by 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 which have an impact on Singapore. Beyond strengthening military capabilities, SM Teo has fostered strong ties with the Republic's defence partners. He worked with his counterparts to establish the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in 2010, which has become a major platform for security cooperation and dialogue between Asean member states and the 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 Singapore's Home Team through community partnerships, tapping on 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 cyberattacks 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. He led the work to establish the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) 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 curricula to better develop thinking, communication and process skills. He steered reviews of the Mother Tongue Languages 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. 'You never hesitated to speak your mind and voice different views in Cabinet, making our discussions more robust,' said PM Wong He chaired multiple committees on complex and cross-cutting matters, including on 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 – the Flight Information Region Agreement, the Extradition Treaty, and the Defence Cooperation Agreement – resolving three complex, long-standing bilateral issues. 'You helped Singapore to stand tall in the world, and created space and opportunities for our country internationally,' he said. On the ground, SM Teo has served his residents for over 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 like 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 benefitted 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. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
