If you were sitting at the coffee shop chatting over your kopi-o this morning, chances are you heard the uncle at the next table buzzing about some major political cross-over news. But it’s not a party defection—it’s something far rarer.

Kenneth Foo, a prominent face from the Workers’ Party (WP) who recently contested the Tampines Changkat division during the hard-fought 2025 General Election, just made headlines across the island. On SAF Day, the 49-year-old politician traded his blue party polo shirt for his Singapore Armed Forces uniform to receive one of the highest accolades an NSman can get: the NSman of the Year award.

What made the internet sit up and take notice wasn’t just the award itself, but the optics of the presentation. Kenneth Foo, who holds the senior rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC), received his award directly from the hands of Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing. In an era where political lines are fiercely drawn, seeing a PAP Minister hand a top national honor to a WP election candidate sent a powerful message of cross-party respect and unity.

Still Going Strong at 49

Many Singaporeans count down the days until they can finally “MR” (Mindef Reserve) and hang up their combat boots for good. Not Kenneth. Despite being just a year shy of 50, he is actively serving under the ROVERS (Reservist On Voluntary Extension of Service) scheme. This means he explicitly volunteered to extend his liability and keep serving the nation, long after he could have legally walked away to enjoy his weekends.

His dedication didn’t go unnoticed by his party chief either. WP Secretary-General Pritam Singh—who is also a dedicated NSman himself—took to Facebook to pen a glowing tribute to his teammate. Pritam hailed Kenneth as a stellar role model for anyone who wears the uniform, proving that political differences stop the moment you put on the national flag.

Who is Kenneth Foo?

Kenneth Foo Seck Guan (符策涫) is a well-known face in Singapore’s political landscape, specifically within the Workers’ Party (WP). Here are a few key facts about him:

• Political Journey: He has been a dedicated party ground-activist for over a decade. He first contested in the 2015 General Election in Nee Soon GRC, and later moved to Jalan Besar GRC in the 2020 General Election. In the recent 2025 General Election, he took on the fight in Tampines GRC (specifically anchoring the Tampines Changkat division).
• Day Job & Background: Outside of politics and his military duties, Kenneth works in the charity/non-profit sector. He has a strong background in public relations and community engagement, having spent years managing operations for voluntary welfare organizations
• The ROVERS Scheme: His recent award highlights his commitment to National Service. Under the ROVERS (Reservist On Voluntary Extension of Service) scheme, NSmen who have reached their statutory age limit (40 for Soldiers/WOSEs, 50 for Officers) or completed their training cycles can volunteer to continue serving. Kenneth, at 49, is right at the edge of that officer limit but chose to keep putting on

The Woman Behind the Soldier

Behind every steady soldier is a very patient spouse. Over on LinkedIn, Kenneth kept things grounded and heartfelt, taking the opportunity to pen a sweet tribute to his wife. He candidly thanked her for anchoring the family through his decades of military service, joking about the early days of their relationship. He recalled how he used to drag her along to various formal army functions, only to accidentally leave her sitting by herself while he ran off to kawan (socialize) and catch up with his army kakis.

A United Front

At the end of the day, this story is a refreshing reminder for Singaporeans. When it comes to the ballot box, the debates will always be fierce. But when it comes to defending the country, the color of your political party doesn’t matter—everyone salutes the same flag.

As the coffee shop uncles would say: Majulah, and huat ah!