From 1967 to 1971, Ow worked as a research and teaching assistant at Vanderbilt University.[1] Afterwards, he worked as a lecturer at the University of Singapore in the Department of Economics.[2] From August 1974 to June 1975, he was the research advisor to the National Productivity Board.[2]
In the 1984 Singaporean general election, he remained as the MP representing Leng Kee Single Member Constituency after he won against Workers' Party's (WP) George Benjamin Armstrong's 33.16% with his 66.84% of the vote.[9][10]
In the next general election, Ow was the MP for Leng Kee Single Member Constituency again after he won against WP's Chua Chwee Huat Peter with 64.96% of the vote against Chua's 35.04%.[11]
Ow remained as the MP for Leng Kee Single Member Constituency once more after beating Independent G. K. Niddy with 76.57% of the vote in the 1991 Singaporean general election against Niddy's 23.43%.[12]