Singapore's 1st Chief of Defence Force Winston Choo spills tea on SAF scholars

As a young major working at the Istana, Winston Choo once brought President Yusof Ishak for satay at Bras Basah Road at his behest.
It didn't end well for Choo.
(psst: no data? Read our interview with him in article form here: mothership.sg/2019/08/almost-...
And Part Two of our chat with him here: mothership.sg/2019/08/spores-...)
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[@roberttancs]

As a young subordinate, I used to view Lt- Gen Choo with awe and to a certain extend fear. This however grew to respect and great admiration especially for the couple. Katherine is a very supportive wife and a caring lady. In their twilight- years, they stand out as a fine and loving couple. May God continue to bless them and their loved ones abundantly.

[@sackofpotatoes1345]

"If I serve CDF at 30, I'll be jobless at 35" First world problem, sir.

[@henrylim695]

Lt-Gen Choo is and still is the only SAF General who had real war experience during Indonesia confrontation against Malaysia. Reportsed that his platoon was ambused in Johor by Indonesian commandos and he succeeded to defeat them though a few Sg soldiers were killed. He is a hero.

[@Zohar-Modifier]

Indonesia bomoh or parangdos :)

[@Kevin-fj5oe]

Back then, Indonesia doesn't have a really good backing in terms of training and resource management. The most are old war dogs from dutch sas

[@Zohar-Modifier]

@@Kevin-fj5oe They pump lots of drugs onto yr people thru c130 back then ... mostly very rich in netherlands now ... from profits over your people

[@Kevin-fj5oe]

@@Zohar-Modifier what do you expect, desperate times desperate measures

[@shamshulanuar1097]

Henry, Idonesisn troops landed in Pontian and Labis in 1964 . But these troops were captured by Malaysian army. The British had wanted to invade Indonesia. To do that , they( as accirding to Tunku' biography, planned to destroy one of its submarines off coast if Strait of Melaka. Tunku was asked to accuse Sukarno for the old submarine attack. As a reward, Natuna, Anambas, Riau and Sumaters would be handed to Mslaysia. Tunku refused to do so as it would mean he had to lie

[@alfiebear2647]

Such a humble, simple man.

[@boonong4015]

Love the way he said "family first". Can't agree more.

[@SamueITan]

"I also dont know why I became a General, maybe I was lucky, right place right time, he like my face idk." Hahahah

[@shermanlo1880]

General Kenooooobi! You are a bold one.

[@SamueITan]

@@shermanlo1880 Your move.

[@shermanlo1880]

Obi Wan Kenobi You fool! I’ve been trained in your Jedi Arts by Count DOOKU.

[@SamueITan]

@@shermanlo1880 Oh I dont think so.

[@hu4ngming]

All in all, he had the Force with him. May the Force be with all of us. LOL

[@Merviso]

Greeted him once when I'm still in Army... Still remembered I was on course and was the IC for that day, and we are matching to book out of camp on a Saturday... From far I saw 2 officer and one of them was my Camp CO, which to us is a great deal... so from far I shouted "Good Afternoon Sir!" and to my surprise, it is the other officer that greeted back... and then i realized he is the CDF Winston Choo... lol... Respected him a lot!

[@Merviso]

@XiaoxiaoJibai last time Old Officers very respectable de...

[@lyekahkit9366]

@@Merviso because they really led by example.

[@bowlampar]

A tough job with heavy responsibility during the turbulent period of Singapore's history. Luckily the job fall on the shoulder of this good and qualified man.

[@estherang3356]

Thank you for doing this interview Mothership! Great interview shedding lights on a great man's insights on his career experiences and succinct advice on what matters in life.

[@zacmah3870]

How to forget our first Prime Minister. Without him singapore such a small country cannot be so prosperous

[@thewatermelon3831]

love the editing :)

[@abdulazizmanaf2015]

Amazing n excellent gentleman groomed by an exceptional First President of Singapore n top officials! High salute to u dear Chief!

[@lilychua7866]

Mr Choo, 先有国才有家 (ok, challenging words to read for ACS Boy. It just means Country first, then we will have family). In those formative years, to put country before family was a great sacrifice but today we all get to enjoy the fruits your labour. Thank you for your service to the country. Salute and great respect.

[@keithteddykamal7534]

He is a Legend. Have great respect for this man

[@gabrielkhoo]

Can't say legendary because after all Singapore has not gone through real battles and wars (don't include WW2 please). But no doubt a great leader to climb all the way to Chief

[@johnnyweelaiseng1898]

The Most Highly Respected General Chief of Staff of the Singapore Arm Forces Major Winston Choo

[@louth1770]

LG

[@tayls311]

Gen Choo looks like a humble person and very candid talking about himself. He couldn't last LKY or Dr Goh Keng Swee if he does not have what it takes to be Singapore's Chief of Defence Forces. I wonder how our current military top brasses are compared to Gen Choo...

[@JAYJAY-ch4ik]

Current CDF is very good. Had a feel opportunity to meet him and talked candidly.

[@MrNavarros]

Amazing story, and a lifetime advice. Thank you for your service sir🇸🇬

[@kelvinlim1260]

Never did i expect him to advocate "Family first" culture. Well done, Sir.

[@PJWALL89]

Now where got family come first. When you outing with family, boss call ask to come work. Knn.

[@bruce3238]

We work to bring food to the table. Thats also mean family first

[@fearlessdestiny]

After working for 5 years, I learnt from a few seniors, you don't really need to work, just pretend to do work. That way productivity is forever low, and life is easy.

[@YTOneLord]

Some people r just lucky

[@louisw4155]

These are the boss who doesn't appreciate family... or maybe not married... Sad.

[@bsolutions525]

Or you can be the boss.

[@DarkAngel-tt3te]

I had the great honour of meeting the General .. it was either in 92 or 93 in the old Safti Pasir Labar camp .. Small Arms Wing (SIW)

[@caydenang7399]

he’s sounds like he has a french accent

[@delvingoh9749]

its malayan accent lah, during his era, english is spoken only by e upper class, usually peranakans, thus e malay accent

[@whiteman8953]

weee weee

[@Kai-tm8lx]

Oui oui

[@whiteman8953]

@Halle M your mom lah

[@affalee8216]

@Halle M sedap, larh

[@fs6086]

That statement, family comes first.. Career next but both balance. That's make me gonna salute u for long sir

[@azadebox9289]

Lt. Gen Winston Choo...Still Chief Of The Army when I served my NS.... He and his wife... simple and humble couple... good hearted... offer me and my NS colleague drinks and cake when we were at their house...

[@KhinhninSi-gx9gx]

Our Smart Leaders'Our Smart generations'Our smart Courntry. Thank you so much for our Smart Singapore Country. Thar du'Thar du'Thar du.

[@TheOrionpass]

I sure miss his 'angkat senja...ta! command. I listen to national day parade on the radio just to hear him give command. Glad to be in the period where national day have strong feeling of belonging in the 60's - 70's. Majullah Singapura!! yeah. I sure miss all Ministers of these growing up Singapore period where struggle is still happy way to be in the being.

[@louth1770]

Take good care of your health Sir!

[@kimchiba4570]

What a man ... Respect always

[@rayvictorlewis]

I had the pleasure of meeting him when he was retired, and with other BB ex buglers that were rehearsing for an event at the Istana Winston has a silver bugle that was presented to him when he retired. I was going through the sounding of the Retreat correctly for the forthcoming event.

[@itedino]

Very warm friendly uncle

[@normantong3475]

General Choo I still respects you the most in my NS time , sincere and humble in the heart with no air . I still remembered we meet in a Golf event in Sentosa Golf club . You show no air and asked me how is my game today though we don’t know each other . These day our General are paper scholar yet can’t carry themselves , and only to acknowledge as big shots in every event and in military parade !

[@JAYJAY-ch4ik]

Norman Tong I disagree with the last part. I just ORD not Long ago, the CDF and the BG and MG all are friendly and we felt they cared enough. Surely they cannot care for and go to every single camp but in the airforce and ground based air defense we were more important in a way since we are ops unit critical to Singapore’s immediate security requirements our training is tougher worse than infantry. Infantry get 2 years to be operationally readied. We had to do it in 3 months under gruelling training to be ops ready so as to undergo missions. They cared enough and came even saluting us Low ranked soldiers. Well you could say it’s for show but when a BG drove a car off from your camp approaching the gate to exit the camps perimeter and see a few of us and stopping the vehicle, rolling down the windows to give you a salute you know that the man truly cared and meant that compliment. Of course not all are like that but u believe most of our generals and big fks are good quality solfiers

[@normantong3475]

@jayjay I too disagreed with you in your middle statement . Maybe you are fortunate at that moment . I was sitting a few table away from CFD just 2 years ago ( do not wish to mention his name ) in Safra Golf country club . I waited for 15 mins for a waiter or waitress to come to me to take my order at the Golf Terrace cafe , but none did while all his boot licking surrounded him and keep asking the 2 stars General , Sir ! want would you like to eat Sir beer Sir the chicken wings is very here . I stood up and asking the cafe waitress to serve me that I stressed to the cafe waitress I have waited for 15 mins no one attended to me ! The waiter and waitress can’t be bothered , and why ? Because the f**King General Manager of NSRCC was was engross with our CFD ! He dun care about the rest of club members. Our CFD knew about it but he just enjoyed his beer and the conversation with the COL and Major whom was siting with him . Nothing with wrong with it or I am very petty ?

[@normantong3475]

JAYJAY Anyway no hard feeling

[@delvingoh9749]

@@JAYJAY-ch4ikduring my time, ppl in air defense usually nvr talk abt e infantry guys cos they dun wanna be called ah gua peng, but ur gen actually think ur play training in camp is tougher than regular infantry units...wow

[@affalee8216]

@@delvingoh9749 yes it is. I'd prefer being guardsman. Also, we're Actually Operational. Not Standby for it. With whole ns life Available, for Training and Development. 3mths training for my juniors, Got Fked. So Entire unit after my batch.....anyway unit gone, replaced by some other system.

[@cyrusesfahani5935]

Not as saucy as the title of the video implies but very interesting interview from a very happening time in Singapore.

[@SundayBoy72]

god bless you sir!

[@mokshan4450]

Respect you sir.

[@mokshan4450]

Thanks for the comments. God bless you

[@wymanspace4173]

And you and your wife raised a fine son as well. 👏

[@Jejdjejbfjf]

I wish they interviewed more non commanders. These guys are often underappreciated but do a LOT of hard work that the higher ups dont like to do.

[@eraestrera5180]

The "Like Me" is the most epic 🤣🤣🤣

[@hingng9772]

thanku sir

[@azamshahuddin781]

Bras Basah Road is where the National Service Army camp is located right?No wonder when I went to the MPH bookstore at Bras Basah, I saw a few National Service Recruits hanging out at the book shop.

[@bambangendrosubekti9122]

He was our Chief of Defense.

[@zears7712]

Respect ✊

[@ComradeConfucius]

He still looks fit AF!

[@roykunz1963]

What? No?

[@lycan2494]

No he doesn't lmfao

[@CasualGuy60]

@@lycan2494 For his age bruh.

[@lycan2494]

@@CasualGuy60 still no. he look so fragile

[@zerootwoo5966]

fit is the wrong word to use

[@chirpnun]

Seems like a great man.

[@mightguy7173]

Man's a legend

[@jeffreylim2906]

He has the look of a general!

[@louisw4155]

Yes!!! Family first (not work or friends)... no matter what...

[@kurtt6545]

I read the title as “Singapore’s first chef for the defence force”

[@lecherhao86]

Well said.. coming from the ex chief of defence force.. family first.. even someone with such huge responsibility lived with regrets

[@michaelli7390]

A man of our time. The present shock by the video clip is how he had aged. An unwanted reminder. Generals especially Singapore Generals are not allowed to age. right?

[@donsubramaniam6010]

Great man

[@drsolo7]

This man appeared in a sec 2 history textbook. Just as cool and badass as irl

[@mug401]

Still looking sharp and fit Mr Choo. The only real General I dare say who looks and behaves like a soldier with a pipe in his hand back in the days. This days general need to learn how a general should look and behave from him.

[@xordinaryx]

A real General A true Leader

[@koba5152]

I did not realise he was still alive in 2019

[@fafafafgagabana5929]

My grand uncles friend was mr lky’s personal bodyguard

[@syaifudin86]

Family first!!

[@kekehenrycc8174]

Praying for my delight the Lord Jesus Christ Uncle in Singapore. Praise the Lord of Lords and King of Kings Loves all. Amen

[@Aquaandplants]

He is the best lah!

[@OnAgAsUp]

And here today we have girls who left their partner because they cant wait for their boyfriend to come back every friday night, while his wife waited for him till the end. Respect

[@wronglymade8672]

The way he speaks...🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂 I cant control myself😂😂😂🤣🤣😂😂

[@vincentho3964]

I appreciate and Respect his style - unpretentious, frank, open, honest, sincere, candid, forthright....

[@chirpnun]

Very interesting accent. I detect a hint of french undertones!

[@samwinders5691]

Was my DGS in Safti. Never went home before flag lowering in the evening. Was a nightmare to all the DFO,DO,BOS and COS. Lol

[@neoyikhao]

how long ago?

[@achua5566]

5:40 -----said it like a boss. That is what a leader does.

[@Mar-ec7et]

I served him drinks in Japanese lounge when he went for drinks in Cuppage Plaza. Quite a tikos during his heydays...LOL. Not much people will know...hehe.

[@Hermit-Crab]

Heard about him being a lecher not just from you, but from others as well......there is no fire without smoke.....

[@marvinrobot962]

he was the biggest womanizer

[@Hermit-Crab]

@@marvinrobot962 This guy is just a big hypocrite, totally unfit to lead the Singapore Armed Forces.

[@evolution8662]

@@Hermit-Crab Oh why...???

[@evolution8662]

@@marvinrobot962 Really???

[@leegacy3099]

Let me share a story. 1978. On my 19th birthday, I was in Bukit Panjang forest about to dip a dog biscuit into an open can of braised chicken. It had been raining for more than twenty hours. Captain Lee Hsien Loong was in the brigade command post somewhere behind me. I was miserable, cold, and wet. I had asked for a day off on my birthday to be with my girlfriend but was denied. Then came this Mercedes car with blacked-out windows, rare in those days bearing number plate MID 10. Brigadier Winston Choo came out of the car. We stood up and saluted but he smilingly asked that we stand easy. Then looking at the meal in my hands, he asked so innocently if that was braised chicken. It took me years to forgive him for that. He did not know what the combat rations the soldiers were given?

[@P53eud0nym05]

Day off on birthday 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Looks like strawberries existed back then too 🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@oneuponzero]

He is the only Major General in Singapore who tasted war or "battle" during the Indonesian "confrontasi"

[@nathanchong7731]

8:36. Good answer !

[@ridza76]

hai uncle winston

[@sdqsdq6274]

the way he talk , clearly a thinker , now i wonder who will take over LHL

[@bernardgoh5307]

Salute!

[@kung-fumaster4877]

5:55

[@SuccessforLifester]

His son was in Tekong ITD camp 3. His company was treated very nicely as compared to other companies.

[@juanspeko]

Respect tuan

[@bigez5612]

the guy with the brandy n cigar

[@ArcherA17]

Yo my man yusof bin ishak

[@__tachibana8072]

The Heer, Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe.

[@shinen8754]

Come, lets go eat satay :D

[@jessiejames7492]

He’s so thin now remember he was a bit stout before.

[@mustafaaustinpowers5748]

Thicc*

[@jielcm2726]

Shame on you fat shamers

[@kakitoceng]

This grandpa has more hair than me and I'm only 27

[@rinne7244]

Shame on you for drinking so much msg soup hahahah lmfao 😂🤣

[@jamestay8222]

Bless you ...

[@TheGdragon12]

Heard he is wild in his younger days

[@kekehenrycc8174]

Amen and Haliluyah!!!! Jesus Christ Loves you , Great Uncle cheers always Thanksgiving to the king of kings.

[@user-lh6cp7oi7f]

When LG retired from CDF and was the next day seated on the sofa waiting for his military chauffeur to pick him up, his wife asked "What are you waiting for Winston?, you are no more CDF." 😅

[@jeneuweenlaf948]

Back then, people were chosen bc others believed in them and then they stretched themselves to fulfill the demands of the job. 5:40 - that's why he's a leader and people believed in him. He had innate wisdom, just blessed with it. He said he wouldnt work so hard back then if he could do it a second time; but if he and his peers didn't put in the hours and the dedication, would SG have been this well? Trade-offs.

[@jeribar27]

I found him in a textbook lol

[@ongernie7216]

Have he fought in a war?

[@markkoh888]

Slim down so much....

[@Thunder97629]

Hats off to winston choo,respect,but he is not the first warhero,all too must remember and respect a bigger and real legend before him,he is leftnan adnan who was matyr at young age,by the japanese,brave man

[@BoyG10]

Aaron Zamorano You fought side by side with Adnan and witnessed him slaughtered by the Japanese?

[@Thunder97629]

Disgust eh hello,do u study history? Btw my Indonesian fren is his direct grandson of minangkabau decent,dun be jealous my friend,malays,they too contributed alot too in this country,

[@Thunder97629]

Disgust and 1 more thing pls talk with respect for leftnan adnan who is a warhero for our country Singapore,he is not ur friend that you call him by his name or saying he is slaughtered,he is matyr and there’s no bigger honour then that for a brave man like leftnan adnan,show some respect for a warhero,dun ur school thought u when u were a kid of manners and respect,do u learn history

[@BoyG10]

Aaron Zamorano Why should I? If you are so well-informed in History then your verdict on Adnan’s gallant deeds shouldn’t be based simply on your exchanges with your Indonesian friend. So to say irregardless if you’re well-versed in History or not you still based your understanding in hearsay, am I right? Well, I don’t usually waste time arguing with people of your kind but since you got so emotionally taken aback with my simple question posed - Did I allege anything in my sentences that he didn’t die in honour? Please point it out to me. Until you are able to do so I’m sad to say your beliefs remains a myth and you? A sad case.

[@dc.tm28]

Postponing weddings seems to be a thing lol

[@aakkiiyyy]

4:46 he like my face....bruh

[@rinne7244]

Lmfao 😂🤣

[@alpha7kilo738]

6:14

[@Darkshogun7584]

Mmm satay

[@muhammadhamid4170]

Why does he sound like he has a French accent?

[@obiwan88]

Actually I thought it sounds more like a Malay accent.

[@obiwan88]

@@P53eud0nym05 No wonder, I recalled my childhood memories of his voice wasn't like that. Suddenly those comments about his speech here seems incredibly cruel. Younger Sinkies have no right to judge folks from this generation, full stop.

[@cchan571]

@@P53eud0nym05 also since he is already of advanced age

[@treepeenbawlz1934]

obiwan88 geez and I thought the younger generation was salty 😂 boi was I wrong

[@papasmurf3201]

This uncle confirm can speak malay. He can right?

[@Irkkan]

Those born bfr 1960 99% able to at least speak simple malay.

[@cambodianye8429]

If only he had not visited Klub makpuki to disgrace himself.

[@wan_vengeance4257]

1:00

[@nathanchong7731]

4:16 Lol

[@EchoRoblox]

The editing quite meme-y sia

[@juicewrld132]

man i oso wan truluv

[@benedictgoh310]

Sounds french. French resistance? Haha

[@zacharyloh2300]

Frogmen in the comments, is he wearing the Combat Diver Proficiency at 8:06?

[@darkmagician319]

Are you frogmen?

[@Raven-mz8fc]

Yup

[@zacharyloh2300]

@@Raven-mz8fc whoa.. this guy did it all..

[@lpericteo]

Now Singapore Paper Generals a lot, joined politics and earned a lot of money.