Brother Matthias Yao and Brother Zulkifli Mohammed have stepped down as advisors of SMOU as of 16 February 2021 and we welcome incoming SMOU advisor Brother Eric Chua, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC (Queenstown), and Parliament Secretary for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and Ministry of Social and Family Development.
Brother Matthias has served as an SMOU advisor since June 2005 while holding the position as Mayor of the South East District of Singapore. However, his experience with the Labour Movement precedes his time at SMOU having first served as the Deputy Secretary General of NTUC.
Brother Zulkifli’s involvement with SMOU goes further back to March 1991, while serving as the Political Secretary to the then Deputy Prime Minister Ong Teng Cheong. Later, alongside with his position as a Member of Parliament, Brother Zulkifli served the Labour Movement as a Director of Community Development at the NTUC.
Our outgoing advisors have provided wise counsel on important decisions of the union during their time of service which have been integral to the achievements of SMOU’s 70 years of history. They have also graced numerous SMOU events as our guests of honour and given valuable input on the progress of the union.
SMOU would like to express our deep appreciation to both outgoing advisors for their invaluable contribution and guidance over the years.
“SMOU has been blessed to have our long serving advisors Brother Matthias and Brother Zulkifli with us and our heartfelt thanks to them for their contributions. They have laid bricks vital to the core structure of SMOU’s accomplishments. As they pass the baton to Brother Eric Chua, I know that they will continue to impact lives and we wish them all the best. SMOU looks forward to work with Brother Eric as he brings a fresh set of eyes to the union’s work,” Ms Mary Liew, General Secretary of SMOU remarked.
Brother Eric is a strong advocate of social mobility, having spent most of the past 15 years of community service working with youths. He is also a dedicated community leader with an impressive portfolio of service as chairman to various community club committees. Brother Eric Chua will join current advisors Brother Gan Thiam Poh, Sister Grace Fu and Brother Lim Boon Heng as advisors to SMOU.
As we bid farewell and best wishes to our outgoing advisors, SMOU warmly welcomes Brother Eric and the union looks forward to working together with him to learn from his experiences and bring the union’s impact ahead.
