In 1959, Ong Pang Boon was appointed the Minister for Home Affairs in Singapore’s first Cabinet. One of Minister Ong’s most significant initiatives during his four-year tenure was the ‘Anti-Yellow Culture’ campaign. It was a nation-wide campaign aimed at eliminating sources of “moral degeneration”, such as pornography, gambling dens, prostitution and secret societies.

To more effectively combat against ‘yellow culture’, Minister Ong reorganised and strengthened the Singapore Police Force, giving it more powers to deal with secret societies and organised crime. He also reorganised the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau in an effort to eradicate corruption and bribery, especially in the civil service.

During his political career, Minister Ong held several key ministerial posts in education, labour, environment and communications. He retired from politics in 1988. In 1990, he was given Singapore’s highest and rarest honour, the Order of Sang Nila Utama, for his contributions to the country.