For their dedication to union work, Philip Lee, Ken Tan, David Yeo and Yip Moh Wah will be awarded the Public Service Medal. The announcement was made on 9 August 2018.
The Public Service Medal is awarded to persons who have rendered commendable public service in Singapore, or for achievements in the field of arts, sports, sciences, business, and the labour movement.
Sister Yip Moh Wah, NTUC Director of Investment and Governance and Shared Services Unit
Moh Wah started her career with NTUC in 1981 as an accountant with the Management Services Unit. Over the years, she has risen through the ranks and held various appointments in finance and administration.
Throughout over three decades with NTUC, she has held several appointments including financial controller on secondment with the Singapore Labour Foundation.
With long-term viability and sustainability of NTUC’s finances in mind, Moh Wah took the lead in ensuring that there is sufficient budget control and cash flows to fund diverse programmes to benefit the workers. She exercises her duties as a gatekeeper with a balanced dose of strictness to solve impending budgetary issues.
She said: “I feel very proud to be counted amongst the sisters and brothers who make NTUC great and proud. I feel humbled and honoured that the Labour Movement nominated me for this award. There are 6,000 union leaders in the Labour Movement, each person is deserving of an award in her or his own right. Each year, only a handful are nominated. To be picked is indeed a big honour.”
Brother Philip Lee Soon Fatt, NTUC Central Committee Member and General Secretary, Singapore Industrial & Services Employees’ Union (SISEU)
For 25 years, Philip has been serving the Labour Movement with passion and dedication.
He began with SISEU in 1993 when he was first elected to the Singapore Technologies Aerospace (STA) Systems Branch. He was elected to SISEU’s executive committee (exco) in 1999 and became its 1st Vice-President six months later. From 2000, he served in various key leadership roles in SISEU including Deputy President and General Treasurer. He has held as the position of General Secretary since 2016. He has also been an elected member of NTUC’s Central Committee since 2015.
He has served in various NTUC committees such as international relations, and employment and employability. He has also contributed much to the Labour Movement and strengthening the tripartite relationship – evident from the Comrade of Labour Award he received during May Day 2007.
Philip shared: “Thanks to NTUC and the union that gave me the opportunity to serve the workers in the community. I would like to advise the new and younger leaders that it is not what you want in the union but what you can give and do for the workers.”
Brother Ken Tan Yeong Kang, President, Public Utilities Board Employees' Union (PUBEU)
Ken Tan has served with PUBEU since 2003. He was both Deputy General Secretary and Vice-President between 2003 and 2007 and has been the President since 2012.
He played an instrumental role in the establishment of the PME (professionals, managers and executives) branch and has succeeded in bringing many PMEs on board PUBEU. Thanks to his work, more young faces are also joining PUBEU’s Delegates and Executive Committee. Since 2015, some 18 young PMEs aged 35 years and below have joined PUBEU.
Ken is the brainchild of the inaugural S.H.I.P Inter-Union Forum that took place on 11 August 2017. The event was attended by 75 participants from four statutory board unions and representatives from NTUC and the Public Service Division.
Ken said he was pleasantly surprised to be awarded. He added: “I appreciate the recognition with this award, but my work with the Labour Movement continues the same – to represent my fellow workers.”
Brother David Yeo Cher Lian, Secretary-General, Singapore Manual & Mercantile Workers' Union (SMMWU)
David’s involvement in union work started in 2002 when he joined SMMWU as an industrial relations officer. In 2010, he was elected into the union exco and became the Secretary-General in 2014.
He also served in various committees, including the NTUC Industrial Relations (Services Sector) Committee. Recently, he was selected to represent NTUC as a Tripartite Mediation Advisor within the Tripartite Alliance Dispute Management (TADM) framework. This year, he also became an Alternate Member in the National Wages Council.
David is a strong advocate of upskilling and reskilling of workers for their career to progress. Saving jobs have always been his top priority, and the only way for workers to do that is to remain employable with new skills and competencies in an increasingly challenging environment.
David extended his appreciation for the recognition that comes with the award.
