Ng Kok Song, the former chief investment officer of GIC, has officially announced his candidacy for the presidency on July 19, joining other hopefuls
Ng Kok Song, the former chief investment officer of GIC, has officially announced his candidacy for the presidency on July 19, joining other hopefuls like former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and entrepreneur George Goh. At 75, Ng expressed his motivations for running, which include providing Singaporeans with a choice, contributing to the nation’s reserves, and emphasizing his independence. Here are five important things to know about him:
A Financial Prodigy
Ng has extensive experience in finance, having begun his career in 1970 with the Ministry of Finance as an investment analyst. He later managed Singapore’s reserves at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and joined the sovereign wealth fund GIC in 1986, eventually becoming chief investment officer from 2007 until his retirement in 2013. Since then, he has overseen Avanda Investment Management and the Wealth Management Institute.
A Pioneer in Trade
As the founding chairman of the Singapore International Monetary Exchange (Simex) from 1984 to 1987, Ng contributed significantly to the establishment of the first financial futures exchange in Asia. His efforts earned him a place in the Futures Industry Association’s Hall of Fame in 2009, and in 2012, he received the Meritorious Service Medal for his contributions to Singapore.
An Engaged Man with a Significant Age Gap
Ng is engaged to 45-year-old Sybil Lau, a Canadian-born Singaporean with a background in finance. Lau previously worked as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs and has served on the boards of various organizations. Ng met her four years ago and has three children from his late wife, Patricia, who passed away in 2005.
A Rags-to-Riches Story
Born into a family of 11 and raised in a humble mud-floored house in Kangkar, Ng faced early challenges that shaped his character. He supported his family by helping his father sort fish and care for chickens. Despite growing up in a tough environment, he excelled in his studies, earning a Public Service Commission scholarship to study Physics at the National University of Singapore and later obtaining a master’s degree in management from Stanford University.
Meditation Mentor to Lee Kuan Yew
Ng’s interest in meditation caught the attention of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who reached out to him in 2010 for guidance. Ng recalled that Lee, along with his son PM Lee Hsien Loong, sought to learn meditation during the former’s recovery from cancer.
As Ng Kok Song embarks on his presidential campaign, his diverse experiences and unique background contribute to his candidacy in the upcoming election.
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