I wanted to reclaim my life before politics: Ng Eng Hen on retirement & why he hasn't joined any boards

Retiring, said Ng Eng Hen, was a decision made to "reclaim [his] life before politics".

The former Defence Minister, who announced his retirement from politics in 2025 after nearly 24 years of service, told Lianhe Zaobao that he is now "in a good place".

"I keep my mind active... my five grandchildren [are an] absolute delight.

My wife and I, we were very fortunate. [Our] children allow us to go out with them, and we take them out quite often."

Asked about his absence from any post-retirement work, such as sitting on boards, Ng reiterated that he is "retired from politics".

"I've been working very hard for 40 over years... It's my Liberation Day," he quipped.

He added that he wanted to "reclaim" the life he had before entering politics, including visiting hawker centres and taking short holidays with his family.

No need for actualisation

Ng was speaking at a coffee shop in Toa Payoh, before leaving for Canberra, Australia, to receive the Officer of the Order of Australia award on Aug. 19.

The award is conferred on individuals who have demonstrated distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or humanity at large.

On the topic of post-retirement work, Ng acknowledged that he had received "a few requests" to join boards or take up directorships, but said he had no need for further "actualisation".

"If I haven’t actualised by now, I can’t believe I could do more actualisation," he said.

"But do it if you think it adds value."

Receiving international awards

Ng was also asked what receiving international honours meant to him and to Singapore.

Earlier in March 2026, he was presented with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesverdienstkreuz) by German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius.

This was in recognition of his contributions towards strengthening defence ties between Singapore and Germany.

"I’ve been Defence Minister for 14 years, so I suppose I had the advantage of length to see that relationship come to fruition," Ng said.

He was also quick to note that such recognition was not solely a reflection of an individual minister’s work, but also of the broader efforts of the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

For the Australia award, though, Ng said that he "cannot tahan too much angmo jiak (western food)".

"After two to three days, I'm dying already... I just like Asian food," he quipped, adding that he looks forward to eating the Vietnamese pho there.

A more uncertain world

Finally, Ng reflected on the changing global security environment, noting how the relationship between the United States (U.S.) and China had evolved.

"Previously I thought, yes, there were tensions between U.S. and China, but the U.S. was a stabilising force," he said.

"As I dealt with both U.S. and China, my conclusion is neither wanted war. But it's changed."

He pointed to shifts in U.S. trade and foreign policy as a major change.

"Now, trade is weaponised, supply chains are weaponised, and because of that systemic risks have gone up," he said.

Against such a backdrop of changing global rules, he said Singapore should focus on maintaining internal stability and building partnerships with other countries.

"We’re better off preparing for internal stability, forming partnerships, so that when times are hard we can at least ensure some supply chains," he said.