Thank you Comrades

Singapore will come out of Covid-19 better and stronger

Twenty Members of Parliament from the People’s Action Party retired after the dissolution of the 13th Parliament of Singapore on June 23, 2020. Their retirement was part of the Party’s renewal process.

Among them are party stalwarts who have been part of Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong’s political journey. They include Singapore’s second Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong; and Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Mr Khaw Boon Wan.

Mr Goh, 79, has served the Party, residents of Marine Parade, Singapore and Singaporeans for the past 44 straight years. He was first elected MP for Marine Parade constituency in 1976 and reelected in nine general elections and one by-election. Mr Goh became Singapore’s second Prime Minister in 1990 and handed over the reins to PM Lee in 2004. He was made Senior Minister and retired from the Cabinet in 2011. At that point, he was named Emeritus Senior Minister and continued serving as MP for Marine Parade GRC.

In Mr Lee’s valedictory letter to Mr Goh on June 25, he said: “With sadness, I accept your decision to retire from politics at the forthcoming general election.”

“I will always be personally indebted to you. You brought me into politics and have guided and mentored me all these years. Your advice, based on a lifetime of experience, helped me clarify my thoughts and avoid many unnecessary errors.

“Ours was a fruitful comradeship that spanned the entirety of my years in politics and most of yours – a close relationship between two prime ministers that would be the envy of many countries.”

When Mr Goh was Prime Minister, Singapore experienced various crises such as the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997- 98, the September 2001 terrorist attacks and the SARS outbreak in 2003. “On those occasions, your calm and steady leadership gave Singaporeans comfort and courage,” said Mr Lee.

In Mr Goh’s retirement letter on June 24 to PM Lee, the ESM said: “Smooth and systematic leadership succession is the key to Singapore’s political stability. I decided to step down as PM in 2004 after the economy had recovered from SARS and when you were in place to take over as my successor. Similarly, I prefer to retire as Member of Parliament now whilst I am healthy and able to ease my successor’s transition into Marine Parade.”

Close comradeship

Another public office holder who retired is Mr Khaw, 67. Describing him as a “close comrade” who has been in his cabinet from day one, PM Lee said: “You have been one of my most reliable lieutenants. Beyond your own portfolios, your comments on matters put before Cabinet always went to the heart of the matter, and focused our minds on the key considerations and trade-offs."

“For the younger Ministers, you have been a role model and a source of sage advice,” said Mr Lee in his valedictory letter to Mr Khaw on June 26.

Mr Khaw was first elected as MP in 2001 after a distinguished public service career. During his 19 years in public office, he had helmed the Health, National Development and Transport ministries – some of the most challenging jobs in the Cabinet, pointed out PM Lee. Prior to his retirement, Mr Khaw was Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister, and MP for Sembawang GRC.

When he became Health Minister after SARS, he instituted new processes and extensive preparations to get Singapore ready for the next novel disease outbreak – which has served us well when Covid-19 hit us, pointed out Mr Lee.

Another stalwart who retired is Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mr Charles Chong, 67, whose last constituency was Punggol East SMC. Mr Lee said: “When smart, we send in Charles Chong. And every time, Charles delivered.’’