Zaqy Mohamad

Zaqy Mohamad 扎吉哈

Designation	• Senior Minister of State • Ministry of Defence • Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment • Deputy Leader of the House
Personal details
Party	PAP

Zaqy bin Mohamad is a Singaporean politician and a senior figure in the country's fourth-generation (4G) leadership. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), he currently serves as the Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. Concurrently, he holds the significant parliamentary position of Deputy Leader of the House. Zaqy has been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 2006 and has represented the Marsiling division of Marsiling-Yew Tee Group Representation Constituency (GRC) since 2020.

His career represents a transition from the private sector, where he spent 18 years in senior roles in technology and consulting, to full-time political office. This background has shaped his political approach, positioning him as a technocrat with deep domain knowledge in areas crucial to Singapore's development. His political influence spans national defence, manpower policy, community leadership—particularly within the Malay/Muslim community through his chairmanship of Yayasan MENDAKI—and, more recently, environmental sustainability.

Early Life and Education

Zaqy bin Mohamad was born in Singapore on 15 September 1974. In accordance with Malay naming conventions, "Mohamad" is a patronymic derived from his father's name, and he is correctly referred to by his given name, Zaqy.

His educational journey began at St. Michael's School for his primary education. He subsequently attended two of Singapore's premier educational institutions, Raffles Institution from 1987 to 1990 and Raffles Junior College from 1991 to 1992. This path placed him within an environment known for academic rigor and leadership development.

For his tertiary education, Zaqy enrolled in Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where he pursued a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from 1995 to 1999. His undergraduate studies included a year of international exposure at ESIEE Paris, an engineering school in France. During his time at NTU, he demonstrated an early inclination towards public service and leadership, serving as the President of the NTU Students' Union. In this capacity, he was an advocate for student welfare and was instrumental in championing financial assistance programs for students in need.

After beginning his professional career, Zaqy returned to academia to further specialize his skills. Between 2002 and 2003, he obtained a Master of Science in Financial Engineering through a prestigious joint program offered by Nanyang Technological University and Carnegie Mellon University in the United States.

This specific educational trajectory—combining a technical engineering degree with a postgraduate qualification in sophisticated financial modeling—is characteristic of the technocratic profile highly valued within Singapore's governance framework. The engineering background provided a foundation in systems thinking, technology, and structured problem-solving, which are critical skills for managing a modern, knowledge-based economy. The subsequent master's degree added a layer of quantitative analysis, risk management, and economic expertise. This dual skill set prepared him for complex policy portfolios that require a nuanced understanding of both technological disruption and its economic consequences, a theme that would become evident in his later ministerial roles in manpower, defence, and sustainability. His education thus established him as a data-driven and pragmatic leader, rather than one guided primarily by ideology.

Private Sector Career (1999–2018)

Before entering full-time political office in 2018, Zaqy Mohamad built a substantial 18-year career in the private sector, primarily in the technology and consulting industries. This extensive corporate experience provided him with firsthand knowledge of market dynamics, business challenges, and corporate governance, which would later inform his policy work.

His professional journey began in 1999 at the professional services firm Arthur Andersen, where he worked as a Senior Consultant until 2002. Following this, he joined IBM Business Consulting Services as a Business Consultant from 2002 to 2005, a role that deepened his expertise in corporate strategy and technology solutions.

From 2005 to 2008, Zaqy served as the Solutions Director for South-East Asia at Avanade, a technology solutions provider founded as a joint venture between Accenture and Microsoft. This position involved leadership in designing and implementing complex technological systems for businesses across the region. He then moved to Dimension Data, a subsidiary of the NTT Group, where he was the Head of Sales for the Media & Communications Sector from 2008 to 2013, taking on senior management and business development responsibilities.

His private sector career culminated in a senior leadership role at Ernst & Young (EY). In 2014, he was appointed a Partner with the firm's ASEAN Business Development unit, a position he held until his appointment as a Minister of State in April 2018. This role required a broad regional perspective and strategic oversight, involving engagement with major corporations and governments across Southeast Asia.

This career path was not merely a prelude to politics but was integral to shaping his value and approach as a public servant. He exemplifies the PAP's long-standing model of co-opting established private sector leaders into governance. The experience gained at global firms like IBM and EY lent significant credibility to his subsequent appointments, particularly at the Ministry of Manpower, where an understanding of employer needs and labor market dynamics is paramount. His advisory roles with the Singapore Business Federation SME Committee and the Singapore Malay Chambers of Commerce and Industry are direct applications of this corporate background. Furthermore, his deep involvement in the technology sector directly informed his policy work on defence modernization and his focus on upskilling the Singaporean workforce for a digital economy. He is therefore not just a politician discussing business issues, but a former business leader applying his domain expertise to public policy.  

Military Service

Zaqy Mohamad fulfilled his mandatory National Service (NS) obligations in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). In a speech delivered in June 2025, he confirmed his personal experience with the national institution, stating, "Many of us have gone through it – I have gone through it myself," in reference to the two-year military training and subsequent reservist cycles that are a rite of passage for Singaporean men. While specific details of his NS vocation and rank are not publicly available, his subsequent political career has been deeply intertwined with the defence ecosystem.

His most significant contributions to national defence have come through his political appointments. On 27 July 2020, he was appointed Senior Minister of State for Defence, a key role in which he contributes to shaping Singapore's defence policy, strengthening regional defence diplomacy, and supporting the SAF's humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions. In this capacity, he regularly officiates at major military events, such as the Senior Military Expert Appointment Ceremony, where he addresses the SAF's leadership on strategic challenges and technological transformation.

Beyond his ministerial duties, Zaqy holds two other important defence-related leadership positions. Since 2020, he has served as the President of the Singapore Armed Forces Reservist Association (SAFRA), an organization dedicated to the welfare and recreation of the nation's large body of National Servicemen (NSmen). He is also the Co-Chairman of the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD), a platform that works to strengthen the bond between the military and the wider community.

For a male Singaporean politician, especially one holding a senior defence portfolio, public affirmation of the NS institution is a critical function. His speeches at events like the SAFRA Appreciating NSmen initiatives are not merely ceremonial; they serve the vital political purpose of reinforcing the value of NS, acknowledging the sacrifices of servicemen, and linking the institution directly to the nation's peace and stability. His leadership of SAFRA and ACCORD represents a tangible commitment that moves beyond rhetoric to active engagement with the NSmen community and the public. His role in the defence sphere is thus less about his past as a conscript and more about his present function as a political steward of a cornerstone of Singapore's national identity and security.

Political Career

Zaqy Mohamad's political career has been marked by a steady ascent through parliamentary, executive, and community leadership roles since his debut in 2006.

Parliamentary Career and Electoral History

Zaqy was introduced as a new candidate for the People's Action Party in the 2006 General Election. He was fielded as part of a five-member PAP team contesting Hong Kah GRC, which was returned to Parliament via an uncontested walkover. He began his political career as the MP for the Keat Hong ward of the constituency.

Following the redrawing of electoral boundaries, Hong Kah GRC was dissolved, and Zaqy was moved to contest in the newly formed Chua Chu Kang GRC for the 2011 General Election. The five-member PAP team faced a challenge from the National Solidarity Party and won with 61.2% of the vote. He successfully defended his seat in the 2015 General Election as part of a four-member team that secured a decisive 76.89% of the vote against the People's Power Party.

A significant development in his parliamentary career occurred on 8 August 2017, when he was appointed as the grassroots adviser for the Marsiling ward of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC. This appointment followed the resignation of the ward's MP, Halimah Yacob, who stepped down as Speaker of Parliament and MP to contest the 2017 presidential election. The move to appoint Zaqy, an MP from another constituency, as an adviser signaled the party's intention to field him in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC in the subsequent election.

He formally moved to Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC for the 2020 General Election. The four-member PAP team, led by then-Minister Lawrence Wong, won with 63.18% of the vote against the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). Zaqy was re-elected in the 2025 General Election with an increased vote share of 73.46%, again defeating an SDP team.

Election	Constituency	Opposing Party	Result (Vote Share)	Ward Represented
2006	Hong Kah GRC	None (Walkover)	N/A	Keat Hong
2011	Chua Chu Kang GRC	National Solidarity Party	61.2%	Keat Hong
2015	Chua Chu Kang GRC	People's Power Party	76.89%	Keat Hong
2020	Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC	Singapore Democratic Party	63.18%	Marsiling
2025	Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC	Singapore Democratic Party	73.46%	Marsiling

Sources:

Ministerial Appointments and Government Roles

Zaqy's transition into the executive branch of government began on 1 May 2018, when he was appointed Minister of State. He held concurrent portfolios at the Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), two key domestic ministries.  

His standing within the party and Parliament grew with his appointment as Deputy Government Whip from June 2019 to August 2020, a role responsible for maintaining party discipline during parliamentary proceedings. Following the 2020 election, he was elevated to the senior parliamentary position of Deputy Leader of the House, a role he holds to the present day. In this capacity, he works closely with the Leader of the House to manage government business and ensure the smooth conduct of parliamentary debates.

On 27 July 2020, he was promoted to Senior Minister of State, a significant step up in the executive hierarchy. He retained his portfolio at the Ministry of Manpower and took on a new, high-profile appointment at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).

Following a Cabinet reshuffle in May 2025, he relinquished his Manpower portfolio and was appointed Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), while continuing to serve at MINDEF.

Period	Appointment/Role	Ministry/Organization
May 2025–Present	Senior Minister of State	Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment
July 2020–Present	Senior Minister of State	Ministry of Defence
Aug 2020–Present	Deputy Leader of the House	Parliament of Singapore
2020–Present	President	Singapore Armed Forces Reservist Association (SAFRA)
2020–Present	Co-Chairman	Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD)
2022–Present	Board Member	People's Association
2018–Present	Chairman (prev. Deputy Chairman)	Yayasan MENDAKI
July 2020–May 2025	Senior Minister of State	Ministry of Manpower
June 2019–Aug 2020	Deputy Government Whip	Parliament of Singapore
May 2018–July 2020	Minister of State	Ministry of National Development
May 2018–July 2020	Minister of State	Ministry of Manpower

Sources:

Community Leadership

A central pillar of Zaqy's public service is his leadership within the Malay/Muslim community. He was appointed Deputy Chairman of Yayasan MENDAKI, the primary self-help group for the community, in 2018 and was later promoted to Chairman. In this role, he leads efforts to uplift the community through programs focused on education, skills development, and social mobility, with a particular emphasis on youth and families.

His career demonstrates the dual mandate often expected of senior minority ministers in Singapore's political system. He must function as a national leader, formulating and defending policies that affect all Singaporeans through his ministerial portfolios, while simultaneously serving as a key leader and advocate for his own community. This is not a contradiction but a core feature of Singapore's model of multiracial governance, where leaders from minority communities are entrusted to helm self-help groups to address community-specific needs within the national framework. His national standing provides him with the influence to advance MENDAKI's objectives, while his deep community engagement offers grassroots insights that can inform his national policymaking. Understanding this dual function is essential to a nuanced interpretation of his political career.

In addition to his work with MENDAKI, he leverages his private sector background by serving as an Advisor to the Singapore Business Federation SME Committee and the Singapore Malay Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He was also appointed a Board Member of the People's Association in 2022, a key statutory board responsible for building social cohesion.

Public Debates and Controversies

Zaqy Mohamad's political career has seen him at the forefront of several significant public debates and controversies. His role has consistently been that of a pragmatic technocrat articulating the government's position, often balancing competing interests such as worker welfare and business competitiveness.

Conflict of Interest in PAP Central Executive Committee (2015)

In January 2015, Zaqy was co-opted into the People's Action Party's Central Executive Committee (CEC), the party's highest decision-making body. However, he had to withdraw from the appointment shortly after. The party explained that the withdrawal was necessary due to a conflict of interest: his employer at the time, the professional services firm Ernst & Young, was also the PAP's official auditor. The CEC subsequently co-opted another MP, Baey Yam Keng, to fill the position. While resolved quickly, the incident underscored the stringent regulatory and ethical standards governing potential conflicts between professional and political duties in Singapore.

Handling of COVID-19 in Migrant Worker Dormitories (2020)

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Singapore faced a major public health crisis with explosive outbreaks in its densely populated migrant worker dormitories. The situation drew intense public scrutiny of the workers' living conditions and the government's response. As the Minister of State for Manpower, Zaqy was a key government spokesperson on this highly sensitive issue.

In a parliamentary session on 4 June 2020, as reported by The Online Citizen, Zaqy stated that over 32,000 healthy migrant workers had been proactively moved into temporary accommodations, including sports halls, vacant public housing blocks, and army camps, to mitigate the spread of the virus. He assured Parliament that all workers would have access to medical care and that those who tested positive would be transferred to appropriate care facilities. He also mentioned that spaces within existing dormitories were being "reconfigured" to isolate suspected and confirmed cases from the general population. This placed him at the center of communicating the government's crisis management strategy to a concerned public and Parliament.

Manpower Policy Debates

His tenure at the Ministry of Manpower involved navigating several contentious policy areas:

• Retrenchment Practices: Following layoffs at the electronics firm Dyson in October 2024, Zaqy responded to parliamentary questions by emphasizing the need to balance worker protection with maintaining business flexibility to keep Singapore an attractive investment hub. While noting that Dyson had complied with all laws and advisories, he identified that improving the timeliness of notifying unions of impending retrenchments was a potential area for enhancement, while also acknowledging the practical constraints faced by listed companies.
• Foreign Manpower Reliance: In a 2022 dialogue with employers, he articulated the strategic necessity for Singapore to reduce its dependence on foreign labor. He argued that as the economies of source countries develop, it becomes progressively more difficult and costly to attract workers, framing the government's push for automation and business model transformation as a forward-looking response to global economic shifts.
• Workplace Fairness and Religious Attire: In August 2020, after an incident where a promoter at Tangs department store was allegedly told she could not wear her hijab (religious headscarf), Zaqy addressed the issue publicly. He stated that religious attire should generally be permitted in the workplace unless there are specific uniform policies or operational and safety reasons. He called on employers to be sensitive and to review their policies to ensure inclusivity, thereby navigating a delicate issue of religious expression in a secular, multiracial society.
• Workplace Safety and Extreme Weather: When questioned in Parliament about protecting outdoor workers during adverse weather, Zaqy stated that it was "not practical" for the government to impose blanket, one-size-fits-all rules for work stoppages. He maintained that the responsibility for conducting risk assessments and ensuring safety rests with employers and site occupiers, reflecting a policy preference for industry-led regulation over rigid government mandates.

Personal Life

Zaqy Mohamad is married to Haryane Mustajab. The couple has three children. His religion is Islam. His official parliamentary curriculum vitae lists his interests as Infocommunications and Media, Economic Development and SMEs, and PMET (Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians) development, along with concerns regarding cost competitiveness and the income divide. These interests align closely with his professional background and his political portfolios over the years.

References

15th Parliament

MP  : Hazlina Abdul Halim   ●   Syed Harun Alhabsyi   ●   Ang Wei Neng   ●   Baey Yam Keng   ●   Cai Yinzhou   ●   Chan Chun Sing   ●   Chee Hong Tat   ●   Charlene Chen   ●   Elysa Chen   ●   Edward Chia Bing Hui   ●   Desmond Choo   ●   Choo Pei Ling   ●   Chua Kheng Wee Louis   ●   Eric Chua   ●   Dinesh Vasu Dash   ●   Darryl David   ●   Christopher de Souza   ●   Fadli Fawzi   ●   Foo Cexiang   ●   Grace Fu Hai Yien   ●   Gan Kim Yong   ●   Gan Siow Huang   ●   Gho Sze Kee   ●   Gerald Giam Yean Song   ●   Goh Hanyan   ●   Goh Pei Ming   ●   He Ting Ru   ●   David Hoe   ●   Shawn Huang Wei Zhong   ●   Indranee Rajah   ●   Janil Puthucheary   ●   Koh Poh Koon   ●   Kwek Hian Chuan Henry   ●   Gabriel Lam   ●   Jackson Lam   ●   Jasmin Lau   ●   Cassandra Lee   ●   Desmond Lee   ●   Lee Hong Chuang BBM   ●   Lee Hsien Loong   ●   Lee Hui Ying   ●   Valerie Lee   ●   Liang Eng Hwa   ●   Jamus Jerome Lim   ●   Sylvia Lim   ●   Shawn Loh   ●   Low Wu Yang Andre   ●   Low Yen Ling   ●   Victor Lye   ●   Muhaimin Malik   ●   Mariam Jaafar   ●   Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad   ●   Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim   ●   Murali Pillai   ●   Nadia Ahmad Samdin   ●   David Neo   ●   Ng Chee Meng   ●   Ng Shi Xuan   ●   Rachel Ong   ●   Ong Ye Kung   ●   Diana Pang   ●   Joan Pereira   ●   Denise Phua Lay Peng   ●   Poh Li San   ●   Pritam Singh   ●   Rahayu Mahzam   ●   Hamid Razak   ●   Saktiandi Supaat   ●   Seah Kian Peng   ●   K Shanmugam   ●   Sharael Taha   ●   Sim Ann   ●   Jeffrey Siow   ●   Hany Soh   ●   Sun Xueling   ●   Alvin Tan   ●   Dennis Tan Lip Fong   ●   Desmond Tan   ●   Jessica Tan Soon Neo   ●   Tan Kiat How   ●   Tan See Leng   ●   Patrick Tay Teck Guan   ●   Josephine Teo   ●   Tin Pei Ling   ●   Kenneth Tiong   ●   Edwin Tong Chun Fai   ●   Vikram Nair   ●   Vivian Balakrishnan   ●   Wan Rizal   ●   Lawrence Wong   ●   Xie Yao Quan   ●   Alex Yam Ziming   ●   Alex Yeo   ●   Yeo Wan Ling   ●   Yip Hon Weng   ●   Zaqy Mohamad   ●   Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim   ●   Melvin Yong Yik Chye NCMP  : Low Wu Yang Andre   ●   Eileen Chong Pei Shan