Ng Chee Meng's Cabinet return draws online backlash over reversal of no-position pledge

The return of National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng to Cabinet as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office has drawn a wave of criticism across social media, following the announcement of the cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday, 22 July 2026.

Much of the reaction on Reddit and on the Facebook pages of Mothership, CNA and The Straits Times centred on a pledge Ng made in May 2025, shortly after winning the single-seat ward of Jalan Kayu at the General Election.

At the time, Ng asked Wong not to assign him any government position. "Over the next five years, I will focus on my duties as the MP in Jalan Kayu and my role as secretary-general of NTUC," he said then. "The needs of my residents and all Singaporean workers are my priorities."

The request came amid public scrutiny over his conduct at a 2017 Ministry of Education dialogue and over photographs of him dining with a man later convicted in a money laundering case.

Wong accepted the request but described Ng's absence from Cabinet as "a temporary arrangement", saying he hoped the labour chief would join "before too long". Just over a year on, commenters read the reversal against that original wording.

Commenters repeatedly quoted Ng's May 2025 words back at him. One wrote: "So fast 2030 already? I thought he pleaded not to assign him minister position so he could focus on Jalan Kayu residents."

Another posted: "Just hentak kaki for 1 year only, Larry is a benevolent leader," using the Malay term for marking time on the spot.

A third asked simply: "That was fast, what happened to telling PM he wants to work the ground and refusing to take up a portfolio?"

Several suggested the outcome had been predictable. "Honestly at that point of time I already know it's a lie," one Reddit user wrote. "They'll just wait for the criticism to die down then appoint him again."

One drew a parallel to an earlier appointment: "Isn't this literally how Koh Poh Koon got in as well?" Another replied that it was a "classic PAP technique".

A parsing of the pledge

Some commenters examined the original wording for loopholes. "To be fair, he only said PM 'considers' this," one Reddit user noted. Another added: "he said he won't ask for it, but didn't specify if they offered, he will turn it down."

One offered a satirical rewrite: "I have asked the Prime Minister to pay me a Minister's salary to sit in the Prime Minister's office. PM has agreed to consider this."

Others framed the reversal as a breach of trust. "His own promise holds no weight. Why would people trust whatever he say over the next few years?" one wrote. Another put it: "LMAO only took him a year to go back on his word."

The reversal drew repeated comparisons to fried flatbread. Multiple commenters called Ng a "prata man" or described the move as a "prata flip", a local idiom for an abrupt about-turn. "They flip e prata faster than u can find ur flour," one wrote. Another said: "At first say doesn't want any minister role but now flip prata."

The 'stand up' remark

A recurring motif referenced a past controversy in which Ng was said to have expected people to stand when speaking to him. "Now when Ng Chee Meng speaks, y'all better stand up. Thanks Jalan Kayu," one commenter wrote.

Variations appeared across both platforms, including: "Residents of Jalan Kayu are now kindly requested to stand when engaging in conversation with him."

One tied it to a prediction about his conduct: "Few months later he will be back to default and ask 'why didn't you stand up when you are talking to a minister'."

The Income-Allianz deal

Many commenters revived Ng's role in the proposed sale of Income Insurance to Allianz, which the government blocked in October 2024. "man who tried to sell out ntuc income to foreigners is rewarded by voters, and now back in cabinet. bravo," one Reddit user wrote.

Others asked, in variations repeated many times: "Will he sell NTUC again?" One Facebook user wrote: "After selling NTUC now he can sell the whole Singapore parliament."

One commenter recounted the deal's terms from memory: "Didn't he approve the INCOME/Allianz fiasco buyout scheme whereby Allianz agreed to buy 51% of INCOME shares, and yet he said INCOME still can control and chart the direction despite holding only 49% of Shares."

Another linked it to broader distrust: "If not for the big exposure, ntuc would be in the hands of foreign company under his change. Such calibre can be minister?"

Questions over the margin and the ward

Some commenters pointed to Ng's narrow victory in Jalan Kayu at the 2025 General Election, won against the Workers' Party's Andre Low. One argued that describing him as "rewarded by voters" was unfair, given he "still won by only the most piddling of margins against a newbie".

Another recalled the campaign: "Who can forget Andre Low being backstabbed and his messages leaked. He would have easily won if not for that."

Several predicted the single-member ward would be absorbed into a larger group representation constituency at the next election, with one writing: "He will be safe by the next election, 1000% confirm that JK will be grouped into a GRC next round."

One directed frustration at the ward's voters: "we literally voted for this so uhh yea thanks guys." Another wrote: "Voting matters guys," noting that Ng had, in the end, been elected.

Criticism directed at the leadership

A number of commenters framed the appointment as a reflection on Wong rather than on Ng alone. "1 year of same shit, different PM," one wrote. Another: "The new PM is the same as the last PM. I am more interested in what is so special about NCM or what hold does he have to command this level of treatment."

Some speculated on the reasons for Ng's repeated appointments. "What is so special about NCM is he is a former chief of defence force," one wrote, referencing his military background. Others attributed it to political patronage, with one calling him favoured by former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong.

One characterised the wider pattern: "So after all the wayang about listening to the people, end up jam him in via backdoor." A reply countered: "What is back door? This is front door."

Points on the portfolio

A few commenters focused on the substance of the role, noting Ng would be a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office without a named portfolio. "Minister in PMO was given to all the previous NTUC Sec-Gens," one wrote. "The only real difference to him is that he has to attend extra Cabinet meetings and his paycheck will come from MOF instead of NTUC. I presume he gets a raise too."

Others questioned whether he could manage three roles at once. "Now 3 jobs. Got time take care of jalan kayu ppl ah," one asked. Another wrote: "You'd think he's wearing three hats, but really he's just going to be the MPMO."

Supportive voices

A minority welcomed the appointment, framing it as strengthening the labour movement's representation. One Facebook user wrote that the move was "testament to your hard work and effectiveness in leading NTUC and championing workers' interests".

Another said it marked a milestone: "Very happy to see the Labour Movement finally getting formal representation in the Cabinet after so many years."

Some argued the timing fitted Singapore's economic challenges: "With AI changing the way we work and many jobs being affected, it's important that the voice of workers is heard."

Others praised Ng's ground work as a member of parliament. "when i stayed at punggol and he was MP there, residents like him a lot," one wrote. "I see the same warmth that jalan kayu residents give him now. hardworking MP."

Some urged patience. "Up to him to prove his critics wrong," one wrote. Another added: "Give him time to prove himself la." A third framed it as a test: "Not easy for redemption arc. Do your best as a politician to serve us and your country and you will win us back."