Ng Eng Hen

Ng Eng Hen (born 10 December 1958) is a Singaporean former politician and oncologist who previously served as Minister for Defence from 2011 to 2025. A former member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), he was the Member of Parliament (MP), as part of different PAP teams, representing Bishan–Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC) from 2001 to 2025.

Prior to joining politics, Ng was a consultant surgeon at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and later a private surgical oncologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. He made his political debut in the 2001 general election as part of a five-member PAP team contesting in Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC and won by a walkover. Ng was later elected as an MP and has been winning subsequent general elections since.

Before becoming the Minister of Defence, Ng had been Second Minister for Education between 2004 and 2005, Minister for Manpower between 2004 and 2008, Second Minister for Defence between 2005 and 2011 and Leader of the House between 2011 and 2015. Ng is also the Chairman of SAFRA Board of Governors.

Early life and education A Chinese Singaporean of Henghua descent, Ng and his five siblings lived in a rental flat in Zion Road during his childhood. He was educated at Anglo-Chinese School and National Junior College before completing medical school at the National University of Singapore. He also underwent fellowship training in surgical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Career Ng was a consultant surgeon at the Singapore General Hospital between 1992 and 1997 before he went into private practice at Mount Elizabeth Hospital as a surgical oncologist between 1997 and 2001.

Political career

Ng made his political debut in the 2001 general election as part of a five-member PAP team contesting in Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC. The PAP team won with a walkover and Ng was elected as a MP for Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC.

In 2002, Ng was appointed Minister of State for Education and Minister of State for Manpower. In August 2004, Ng was promoted to full Minister and appointed Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Education. In 2005, he relinquished his portfolio as Second Minister for Education and became Second Minister for Defence.

Ng was also Chairman of the Jobs Task Force at the Ministry of Manpower, and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Low Wage Workers. In June 2007, Ng was invited by the French Ministry of Defence to visit the Paris Air Show and also to visit a permanent Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) detachment stationed at Cazaux Air Base.

In March 2010, Ng mentioned that the weight of mother-tongue language examinations in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) might be reduced in order to benefit some students who are weak in their mother-tongue due to the emphasis on the English language in the Singapore education system. This sparked a debate among Singaporeans who support emphasis on mother-tongue languages in education. Ng subsequently assured Singaporeans that the weight of mother-tongue language in the PSLE would not be reduced.

During the 2011 general election, Ng was part of a five-member PAP team contesting in Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC and won 56.93% of the vote against the Singapore People's Party.

In 2011, Ng stepped down from his role as Minister for Education and was appointed Minister for Defence. In Parliament, he served as Deputy Leader of the House between 2007 and 2011 and later as Leader of the House between 2011 and 2015.

During 2015 general election, Ng lead the five-member PAP team contesting in Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC and won 73.59% of the vote against a second challenge by the Singapore People's Party.

In 2018, the French government awarded Ng the Legion of Honour.

During the 2020 general election, Ng was part of a four-member PAP team contesting in Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC and won about 67% of the vote against the Singapore People's Party.

On 4 November 2021, Ng described Taiwan's political status as an issue that for the People's Republic of China, "goes to the heart of the political legitimacy of the leader, of the party of the party and it's a deep red line. I can think of no scenario which there are winners if there is an actual physical confrontation over Taiwan ... So, I would advise us to stay very far away from that." On 17 February 2025, at the 61st Munich Security Conference, Ng stated that the Asian perspectives of the U.S. have shifted from being perceived as a force of "moral legitimacy” to "a landlord seeking rent." His remarks came following tensions between President of the United States Donald Trump and other NATO members over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

On 18 April 2025, Ng announced he would not contest the general election held in May that year and his retirement from politics.

Personal life Ng is married to Ivy Ng Swee Lian, a paediatrician and geneticist who has been serving as a senior advisor to SingHealth Board. The couple have four children.

Honours