\n<\/p>\n
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said he was saddened by Dr Koh\u2019s decision to step down.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that the matter has been weighing on his mind. I am glad that he has come to a decision, and respect him for doing what he feels is best for his family,\u201d Mr Ong said in a Facebook post on Friday.<\/p>\n
Mr Ong added that he would miss Dr Koh as a \u201cclose colleague\u201d, as well as his \u201chonest counsel\u201d at the Ministry of Health (MOH).<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a doctor, a hardworking MP, and a grounded person, he will always have a useful perspective on healthcare issues,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Ong also said he was happy that Dr Koh would continue to serve as a Member of Parliament and adviser to his constituency, and wished him and his family all the best.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has kept his clinical skills warm, and I hope he will be able to serve as a doctor in public healthcare, caring for patients. But this is just my hope, and I don\u2019t wish to put any pressure on him,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash said that he will miss Dr Koh in the ministry.<\/span><\/p>\n “I have known Dr Koh Poh Koon for many years, first when I was in MOH and more recently as a colleague in MOM,” Mr Dinesh wrote in a Facebook post, adding that he also knew him as a “committed” NSman who “<\/span>contributed greatly” to his NS medical unit.<\/p>\n “As a person, he is generous, fun-loving and a strong team player”, said Mr Dinesh, who is also Minister of State at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.<\/span><\/p>\n “He has always placed the interests of others before his own.”<\/p>\n MP for Tampines GRC Masagos Zulkifli said Dr Koh worked hard to build relationships with residents and community partners after he joined the Tampines team in GE2020, and “easily” became an invaluable member.<\/span><\/p>\n He said that the team respects his decision to step down to spend more time with his family.<\/span><\/p>\n