Two roads diverge in a wood and I ...

A decade has passed since I joined Changi Airport Group! How time flies when you are having fun!  Yes, there were times when we were struggling with the many projects thrusted upon us. Till this day, I am still not sure how we did it, but I believe that our collective sense of purpose to build and run the world’s best airport - and Singapore’s pride and joy – played a great part. This experience reminds me of what Oscar Wilde’s once said…

If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well.


If it is worth having, it is worth waiting for.


If it is worth attaining, it is worth fighting for.


If it is worth experiencing, it is worth putting aside time for.

While I am happy with the many projects and innovations that the team have implemented and/or enabled, what I find most fulfilling is the growth I have seen in CIT, both among individuals and as a team, over the past decade.  The picture below we took at Jewel before National Day is priceless.

I posted this picture on Linkedin, with the team forming a “54” in red and white in front of the Jewel vortex. I explained why I love working in Changi Airport. It went viral with more than 220k views and more than 2000 likes! There is something about how we dare to be different, and have the teamwork to make things happen, and its appeal to many people, Singaporean residents and visitors alike!

Water from the vortex also reminds me of “饮水思源”, and something that I hold dearly to. Translated, as most of you already know, it means “when you drink the water, remember the source”, or in other words “be grateful and count your blessings”.  The journey over the decade was enjoyable because of the great colleagues I get to work with; the great company culture and workplace we have; and the good we provide in service of Singapore. I am grateful and blessed to be given the chance to be part of a great team. I truly appreciate the friendships and camaraderie, something I have not experienced much over my long working life. 

水 or H2O

To me, water also symbolises many of the positive working traits I experienced in CAG over the past decade. 

The first trait is Humility. Well, imagine a stream of flowing water. There is a humility that transcends the environment that water gives life to. Water does not seek to dominate and flows naturally to the lowest point, serving all the life around it. Yet, without it, there is no life. Humility has meant that we were able to learn and constantly challenge ourselves over the decade.

The second trait is Harmony. Imagine water flowing on a rocky river bed. It does not try to push the rocks aside, but merely flows around it. This Harmony is important for all the components of that river bed to co-exist. Of course, given enough time, even the rocks be shaped and canyons created.  

The third trait is Openness. Water adapts to the changing environment. In room temperature, it flows smoothly; when heated above 100%, it becomes steam; and when cooled below 0%, it becomes ice. I think working relationships, and way we have been able to adapt to the changing environment, comes from the deep bonds at the people level - very much like the strong covalent bonds formed by H20 or water. By the way, you may have noticed, the first letters of Humility, Harmony and Openness is also H20.

How do I feel about leaving? In my heart, I am deeply torn, aptly described by the last stanza of Robert Frost’s famous poem, “The road not taken”.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence;

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –

I took the one less travelled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Like in the poem, I am not sure whether the difference will be positive, but I will try my darnest best to make it a positive one!

Some of you may be asking where I am going. I will be joining IHiS, the shared services IT company for MOH and the hospital clusters.  My role would be the newly created Deputy CEO position. 

Many of you may not know that I have been in and out of hospitals for the past few years, to help my close family and also some friends & colleagues. As I struggled with navigating the health system, I imagined how difficult it must be for others. I also met many doctors, administrators and clinicians who had asked me to help out in the health sector. My work with the Red Cross and NVPC also nudged me along to choose to serve in healthcare.

The decisive moment was when God spoke to me at the middle of this year, through various means, and asked me to serve. When God speaks, I listen!

What will I miss most? I will miss many things: the morning drive against traffic to the charming airport boulevard; the smiles of travellers enjoying the Changi Experience; the large open working space and sunlight beaming through the atria; the espirit-de-corp as we solve and overcome one challenge after another. 

Most of all, I will miss all the great colleagues in CAG and the Airport eco-system!

Thanks! I would also like to thank all of you who have helped, supported, provided wise counsel to me over the years; and most importantly provided a trusting environment for all of us to do good. Thanks for your patience and putting up with my “silly jokes”, lectures and nonsense. 

While my role in CAG ends, our friendship remains. Please do not hesitate to give me a ring if you need any help. 

Please give Yuh Khee the same support you have given me. I would deeply appreciate that. Thanks for reading and God bless.