With its glistening skyscrapers, green spaces and quality urban infrastructure, we live in a modern city-state that Singaporeans are proud to call home. Working behind the scenes to develop the infrastructure of our global city is the Ministry of National Development (MND). Together with its statutory boards - the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA), the Housing and Development Board (HDB), the National Parks Board (NParks), and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the MND Family works towards creating a vibrant and sustainable living environment for Singaporeans.
28-year-old Woo Wee Meng shares about his role in MND and how he contributes to MND’s vision of making Singapore an endearing home and a distinctive global city.
What made you choose to pursue a career in MND?
Woo Wee Meng: As part of my Sociology course in university, my peers and I often engaged in meaningful discussions about the Government and its policies. Through these exchanges, I decided that instead of being passive and staying on the outside looking in, the most effective way to make a difference was to be on the inside. I knew that I wanted to work in the public sector to get first-hand experience to formulate national policies, and contribute to improving the lives of Singaporeans. I believe that if you want to make a positive difference in our society, the best way would be to immerse yourself and be the change you want to see.
Woo Wee Meng
Manager (Infrastructure)
Bachelor of Social, Sciences in Sociology,
National University of Singapore
Half a year before I was due to graduate, I started looking at specific areas that I was most interested in and applied for public sector jobs in these areas. Through the interview process at MND, I learnt more about MND’s work and I found that I could not pass up the opportunity to play a part in shaping the cityscape I grew up in.
Tell us more about your job. What do you do at MND?
Wee Meng: I am currently in MND’s policy division. I view my role as the information base of the team. I am expected to have a firm grasp on the issues within my portfolio, and have an extended network of resource persons that I can tap on quickly and efficiently.
A typical day at work could start with drafting the agenda of one of the taskforces that I am part of, and shaping it to the outcome my team hopes to achieve. This is followed by updating my bosses on recent discussions that I have had with stakeholders. In the afternoon, I could be part of discussions involving a different taskforce or having meetings with other Ministries and statutory boards. The day could end off with a discussion with my bosses on an ongoing policy review. While there’s a lot of analysis and writing involved in policy formulation, the scope of work is diverse, and while the approaches we choose to take may vary from officer to officer, we are all working towards achieving the best for Singapore.
What’s the most fulfilling part of your job?
Wee Meng: MND just feels like a second home to me. We have events such as our annual charity bazaar where we’ll set up stalls to raise funds for charity. Seeing all the effort that everyone puts in and the fun that we all have at these events just makes the organisation more enjoyable and homely.
Beyond that, policy work takes time and effort, but it is also necessary and eventually pays off in positive and tangible outcomes. Work at MND is guided by its vision to create an endearing home for Singaporeans and to develop Singapore into a distinctive global city. The vision flows through my work and I know that everything I do ultimately contributes to this goal
