Abel Ang, chairman of Republic Polytechnic and adjunct professor at Nanyang Business School, has reflected on the significant role his Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat has played in providing his family with a stable and meaningful sense of home over the past 27 years. Despite his successful career, including his tenure as CEO of Advanced MedTech—a Temasek-linked company with over $500 million in sales and a global workforce exceeding 1,000—Ang has chosen to remain in the same public housing flat, citing the benefits of simplicity and community.

Ang’s family has experienced multiple international relocations due to his career, including stints in Europe and the United States. Throughout these moves, the HDB flat in Singapore remained their constant anchor. His two sons, now in their 20s and studying abroad after completing national service, continue to regard the flat as their true home. Ang credits this stability with providing his family a grounding point amid their global experiences.

The flat also serves as a multi-generational hub. Ang’s widowed mother lives just three floors below, and the extended family often gathers for meals, reinforcing close familial ties. He notes the close bond his mother has with his sons, who spent much of their childhood under her care. This familial proximity continues to be a source of comfort, with his elder son expressing a sense of homecoming only after sharing a home-cooked meal and receiving a hug from his grandmother.

Ang highlights the value of simplicity in their lifestyle. By foregoing the pursuit of larger homes or luxury goods—often described as "status-maxxing"—his family has avoided the pressures of escalating financial obligations, which he suggests can restrict personal freedom. Instead, this approach has allowed him to focus on relationships and personal interests rather than material accumulation, promoting better work-life balance and greater flexibility in career choices.

Since retiring nearly two years ago, Ang has embraced opportunities to mentor students and young entrepreneurs and to engage in education and technology sectors with a greater sense of purpose. He sees these contributions as extensions of his commitment to give back to Singapore, the country that his immigrant family has called home. He describes the ripple effects of mentorship and support for early-stage startups as valuable long-term investments in society.

Ang underscores that the true value of living in an HDB flat lies in the enduring social connections built within the community. Acts of neighborly support and everyday interactions at local coffee shops enrich the sense of belonging far beyond what is gained from property upgrades. He believes that this communal fabric, combined with a lifestyle focused on moderation, has provided his family with security and freedom to pursue meaningful endeavors.

Reflecting on his life, Ang expresses a desire to be remembered for fostering relationships and contributing positively to society rather than for material success. He remains proud of his choice to continue living in the HDB flat he purchased as a young homebuyer, which, in his view, has contributed significantly to a fulfilling and purposeful life.