subsequently received criticism for his failure to improve the company's performance over his years as CEO. On 19 May 2017, Reuters reported that CMA managed to turn NOL around, with NOL posting a $26 million net profit for Q1 2017. After the sale, Ng stayed on as Special Advisor from June 2016 to May 2017. Singapore Press Holdings (2017 – 2022) On 20 July 2016, Ng was appointed as an independent director of Singapore Press Holdings. On 1 September 2017, Ng was appointed CEO of SPH following his predecessor, Alan Chan's, retirement. On 12 October 2017, Ng announced a retrenchment exercise. Under his leadership, SPH's revenue had fallen from S$1,032 million in 2017 to S$865 million in 2020. In 2020, due to the confluence of factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the decline of print advertising, SPH recorded its first-ever loss of S$11.4 million. At a press conference held on 6 May 2021, Ng and other SPH leaders announced that the company's media businesses, including major Singaporean broadsheets like The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao, would be spun off into a separate company limited by guarantee, operating as a not-for-profit entity. This move would remove shareholders' pressure on the media unit to perform and be profitable. Ng took offence when a CNA Digital reporter asked whether restructuring SPH's media businesses meant that the company would pivot to prioritising editorial integrity over advertising interests. Ng's use of the word "umbrage" gained significant attention, with the word becoming the top searched term on Google in Singapore that day, spawning memes, parody advertisements, and merchandise. Ng subsequently apologised for his comment. After SPH delisted from the Singapore Exchange on the 13 May 2022, Ng, along with the directors serving alongside him, stepped down from his post on the 16 May 2022. Ng was succeeded by Gerald Yong, former CapitaLand CEO (Special Projects). Awards Public Administration Medal (Gold) (Military), in 1998. Knight Grand Cross (1st Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, in 2002. Knight Grand Cross (1st Class) of The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, Thailand, in 2005. The Most Exalted Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang (1st Class), Brunei, in 2005. Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama (Grand Meritorious Military Order, Indonesia), in 2005. Darjah Panglima Gagah Angkatan Tentera (Honorary Malaysian Armed Forces Order for Valour (First Degree)), in 2005. Long Service Medal (Military), in 2007. Meritorious