Ng Eng Hen reflects on 24-year political career ahead of retirement

Key Concepts

• Geopolitical tensions and Singapore's role
• Singapore's economic vulnerability and reliance on global trade
• Hybrid warfare and counterterrorism strategies
• Total defense and inter-agency collaboration
• Safety culture in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)
• Leadership and decision-making in the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)
• Political integrity and public service

Navigating Geopolitical Tensions

Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Singapore's outgoing Defence Minister, emphasizes the importance of Singapore remaining relevant as an "honest, sensitive, and respectful voice" amid rising geopolitical tensions. He acknowledges that Singapore cannot single-handedly change the world but can contribute by fostering common ground.

• Singapore's Economic Vulnerability: He likens Singapore to a "shop in an MRT station," highlighting the nation's dependence on external trade, which is "three times our GDP or more." Any disruption to global trade routes poses a significant threat to Singapore's economy.
• Avoiding Conflict: Dr. Ng suggests that Singapore should "try to avoid" geopolitical conflicts as much as possible, recognizing its limited agency in influencing global events.
• US-China Relations: He views the recent US-China breakthrough, even with tariffs remaining, as a positive sign, offering a "reprieve." He advocates for continued dialogue with other countries to stabilize the global system.
• Promoting Global Trade: Singapore's vested interest lies in ensuring the continuation of global trade. The challenge is to make other countries listen and act to create momentum towards stability.

Transforming the SAF and MINDEF

Dr. Ng reflects on his 14 years in the defence portfolio, highlighting key decisions that transformed the SAF and MINDEF.

• Trusting SAF Leaders: He emphasizes the importance of trusting SAF and MINDEF leaders, allowing them to handle real-time operations effectively.
• Scenario Planning: He describes his role as involving "scenario planning" and dealing with "counterfactuals," providing a broader perspective that operational leaders may not have time for.
• Hybrid Warfare: He cites an example from the Munich Security Conference where the concept of "hybrid warfare" was discussed. This led to the development of better counterterrorism structures, response times, equipment re-engineering of special forces, and the creation of a digital intelligence service.
• Total Defence: He recognized that "total defense is becoming too military-centric" and advocated for involving other agencies. This led to simulations of various crises, such as water shortages, cyber attacks, fishing, electrical blackouts, and food shortages.

Addressing Crises and Promoting Safety

Dr. Ng shares his experiences in handling crises and promoting a safety culture within the SAF.

• Accidents in 2011: Following a series of accidents in 2011, he drew on his experience as Minister of Manpower, where he had conducted a "root and branch review" of safety standards.
• Learning from Other Countries: He and his team traveled to European countries with higher safety standards to learn from their systems.
• Designing Out Risk: He realized that safety cannot be achieved simply by telling people to be careful. Instead, it requires "designing out risk" and instituting systemic changes.
• Aiming for Zero Deaths: He emphasized that "any life loss is somebody's son, brother" and set the goal of "zero deaths."
• Safety as Important as Performance: Safety was made "as important to the CO as performance," with accountability for safety lapses. Safety processes were implemented to identify and mitigate danger points during exercises.

Advice for the Next Generation of Leaders

Dr. Ng offers advice to the next generation of leaders based on his 24 years in political office.

• Don't Enter Politics to Be Thanked: He advises against entering politics with the expectation of being thanked, as it can lead to disappointment.
• Politics as an Avenue for Good: He believes that "politics in Singapore is still an avenue where you can do good without compromising your ideals."
• Belief in Singapore's Direction: He encourages those who believe in a positive direction for Singapore to consider politics as a means to contribute to the country's betterment.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Dr. Ng Eng Hen's reflections provide valuable insights into Singapore's approach to navigating geopolitical challenges, transforming its defence capabilities, and fostering a culture of safety. His emphasis on strategic planning, inter-agency collaboration, and prioritizing safety underscores the importance of proactive leadership and systemic improvements. His advice to the next generation of leaders highlights the potential for politics to be a force for good in Singapore, provided that individuals are driven by a genuine desire to serve the nation and uphold their ideals.