1918 - 2010 Goh Keng Swee - People's Action Party - PAP

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Eulogy by PM Lee Hsien Loong Strategic visions Dr Goh Keng Swee was a master architect of modern Singapore. He introduced major policies that laid the foundation for Singapore’s prosperity and security, and created lasting institutions that continue to serve us well today. Dr Goh was in the group which included Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Dr Toh Chin Chye and a few others, that conceived and launched the PAP in 1954. As a civil servant he could only support the Party from behind the scenes, until he contested the 1959 General Election, was elected as the Legislative Assemblyman for Kreta Ayer constituency and became our first Minister for Finance. In the core leadership, Dr Goh’s role was that of analyst, thinker and strategist. He analysed the problems, thought through tactics to counter the communist threat, and strategised major moves to advance the Party’s political cause. His efforts helped the noncommunists in the PAP to eventually win the life and death fight to determine Singapore’s future. His contributions to our economic development were pervasive. He established key institutions, including the Economic Development Board, Monetary Authority of Singapore and Jurong Town Corporation, to stabilise and grow our fledging economy. His The creator of the SAF is given a solder’s farewell at the Singapore Conference Hall on May 23. 2 PETIR MAY / JUNE 10 fiscal, monetary and industrialisation policies laid an enduring foundation for our economic success. But Dr Goh’s role extended well beyond economics. He had a broad conception of a just society, and believed that economic gains should be widely spread among citizens. He was a strong supporter of the trade union movement, the PAP’s symbiotic partner. He exhorted the NTUC to modernise, grow strong and adopt a constructive winwin approach, in order to promote the interests of workers. He also saw that Singa poreans needed more than comfortable material conditions, and was determined to give them the opportunity to appreci
Dr Goh’s role extended well beyond economics. He had a broad conception of a just society, and believed that economic gains should be widely spread among citizens. ate the finer things in life. Hence he launched the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoological Gardens, and the Chinese and Japanese Gardens. These have become popular outlets for Singaporeans to relax at and enjoy. This broad approach built a cohesive and successful nation. Voters saw how the PAP government was improving their lives, and reelected the Party in successive elections. Some of Dr Goh’s policies were far from popular initially, for example. persuading unions to switch from confrontation to cooperation, and getting Singa poreans to send their sons to do National Service. But he took full advantage of the political preconditions which MM Lee created to undertake tough courses of action that produced results for Singapore, and eventually won the voters’ support. Dr Goh himself acknowledged this readily. In his last major speech as a minister in 1984, he explained that he had been able to implement good policies because of the PAP track record, and because MM Lee as prime minister could carry the public on difficult and unpopular issues. This speech was just before the 1984 General Election. The election was a major step in the transition from the first generation leaders to a younger team. In the same speech, Dr Goh urged the new candidates who were about to be fielded to build on what the founding leaders had established, and bring Singa pore to fresh pinnacles of success. Mr Lee paying his last respects at Goh Keng Swee’s home in Siglap. I was one of the new candidates in the audience. Dr Goh’s speech left a deep impression on us all. We knew that henceforth the new team would increasingly be responsible for keeping Singa pore safe, secure, and successful. Ever since then, we have done our best to uphold this responsibility, to hand over a better Singapore to future generations. Dr Goh’s life and contributions carry important lessons for the Party. First, we should be clear and unwavering about what the Party stands for, and what we want to achieve for Singapore. We need to grow the economy to give us the resources to live well, and invest in our people and future. But our aim goes beyond that – to foster a strong and cohesive society, and ulti mately to build a nation. Second, we must focus on getting sound policies for the long term. The Party must reflect on the aspirations of the people, and be in tune with the popular mood. But it has a responsibility to think beyond immediate sentiments and constraints, and endeavour to lead Singapore in the right direction. Third, beyond individual policies, our most important duty is to prepare a future team to carry the torch forward for Singapore. We must always be on the lookout for new talent, and nurture a new generation of party activists and leaders for the nation. These strategic priorities will enable the Party to continue serving Singapore well and improve the lives of all Singaporeans year after year. PETIR MAY / JUNE 10 3
Page 1: 行动报 www.pap.org.sg Goodbye Go
Page 7 and 8: Mr Lee’s letter of thanks to his
Page 9 and 10: In his talks with Tun Razak, then M
Page 12 and 13: Eulogy by Mr Goh Ken-Yi Great grand
Page 14 and 15: We Salute the Great Man Who Helped
Page 16 and 17: Goh Keng Swee: The Man active in th
Page 18 and 19: 16 PETIR MAY / JUNE 10 We Salute th
Page 22 and 23: 1 5 Goh Keng Swee: Memories THE POL
Page 24 and 25: THE FUNERAL: 1. Son, Mr Goh Kian Ch
Page 26 and 27: Goh Keng Swee: The Legacy gapore’
Page 28 and 29: Goh Keng Swee: The Legacy spirit of
Page 32 and 33: DR GOH KENG SWEE We pay tribute to
Page 34 and 35: Dr Goh Keng Swee was instrumental i
Page 36 and 37: We Salute the Architect of Singapor
Page 38 and 39: We salute the visionary who helped
Page 42 and 43: Overheard 40 PETIR MAY / JUNE 10
Page 44: A Tribute to the Prime Architect of

1918 - 2010 Goh Keng Swee - People's Action Party - PAP

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?