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SINGAPORE \u2013 Labour chief Ng Chee Meng said he understands concerns from residents that he may have less time for constituency work after returning to Cabinet, and promised to fulfil his promises to them.<\/p>\n
The Jalan Kayu MP will rejoin Cabinet on July 27<\/span><\/a> as a Minister in the Prime Minister\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n Speaking to The Straits Times on July 24 on the sidelines of his Meet-the-People Session, Ng addressed concerns raised by some residents over whether he would be able to juggle his responsibilities in Cabinet, as labour chief and as MP for Jalan Kayu.<\/p>\n \u201cI can understand, empathise with their concerns,\u201d he said, adding that he can only show in the days ahead that \u201cJalan Kayu residents are still at the core of my heart, that I will still fulfil the promises that I made\u201d.<\/p>\n Ng said he and his team would do their best to manage the constituency and continue to improve infrastructure in Jalan Kayu, citing a new sports facility,<\/span><\/a> as well as playgrounds and sheltered walkways.<\/p>\n He also acknowledged that there are areas in the estate to work on, saying: \u201cWe will do better.\u201d<\/p>\n Residents interviewed by ST said they expect Ng to speak up for workers amid AI-driven disruptions and raise ground concerns. A majority were concerned about national issues, and said they hoped Ng would be able to help look after jobs and workers.<\/p>\n Besides dealing with the impact of AI, part-time security guard Rama Chandran Andrew, 66, hopes Ng will also champion other national issues, including rising food costs, more support for caregivers, and better subsidies and assistance, given the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.<\/p>\n A civil servant who only wanted to be known as Heng Kee said he has former colleagues who are still jobless after getting retrenched a few months ago.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, a key concern now is the job market. The new role will give him a stronger voice for workers,\u201d said the 47-year-old, who was also let go in February and took four months to secure a job.<\/p>\n Job woes hit closer to home for coffee shop assistant Susan Tan, whose daughter in her 20s has been unemployed for about two years.<\/p>\n For herself, it has been a challenge to find another job. Said the 53-year-old: \u201cThe minute employers get to know my age, they will not hire me. So my message to Mr Ng is, \u2018Please take care of the workers\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Pre-school teacher Chloe Hu, 55, hopes Ng will help workers find a better work-life balance so that more Singaporeans can get married and start families.<\/p>\n \u201cMany are busy working, yet cannot afford to start families or buy their own homes,\u201d she said. \u201cMany local businesses also struggle to compete with international players.\u201d<\/p>\n Ng had left Cabinet after losing the contest for Sengkang GRC in the 2020 general election. He returned to Parliament after winning the Jalan Kayu single seat<\/span><\/a> in the May 2025 polls.<\/p>\n