SINGAPORE: Former Deputy Prime Minister Goh Keng Swee died early Friday morning after battling a long illness. Dr Goh, who was also a former Finance Minister, was 91. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter-in-law, two grandsons and three great grandchildren. According to his wife, Dr Phua Swee Liang, Dr Goh died from pneumonia and old age. The late Dr Goh had seen the country through self government, survival, and hard-earned success. And as the architect of modern economic Singapore - he had laid the foundation for much of what now exists in Singapore "At first I had no initial vision. You just start it and hope for the best. If you've a vision, that means you're a dreamer. I'm not a dreamer," said the late Dr Goh. Dr Goh came to Singapore at the age of two, and was later educated at Anglo Chinese School before going on to study economics at Raffles College. He worked as a civil servant till the Japanese Occupation of Singapore during the Second World War. After the war a scholarship took him to the London School of Economics. After obtaining his PhD on a University of London Scholarship in 1956, Dr Goh rejoined the civil service on his return to Singapore. Later, he quit to enter politics running in the 1959 Legislative Assembly Election on the PAP ticket. With self-government, Dr Goh being the only economist in the first Singapore cabinet, was given the portfolio of Finance Minister. The strategy of Dr Goh was to build a manufacturing sector to attract foreign multi-national corporations to invest – and so provide jobs very quickly. In 1961, Dr Goh set up the Economic Development Board with the objective of attracting foreign multi-national companies to Singapore. "It's Dr Goh who thought of the various economic policies, he's very creative. We talk nowadays about our lack of entrepreneurship in Singapore, I think the greatest entrepreneur that Singapore has seen is Dr Goh," said S Dhanabalan, who was cabinet minister from 1980-1994. Through his efforts 15 thousand acres of swamp in Jurong was turned into a modern industrial park. In the late 1960s, Dr Goh became Singapore's first Interior and Defence Minister, overseeing the introduction of National Service and the building of the Singapore Armed Forces. After his success in the Finance and Defence ministries, Dr Goh who had earned himself the nickname, "Mr Fix It" went on to be appointed Education Minister in 1979. During his term the streaming policy and Gifted Education Programme were introduced, the Curriculum Development Institute was set up and the foundations laid for the computerization drive in schools. During his tenure in government service Dr Goh was also instrumental in the creation of Singapore's first defence hardware company Chartered Industries of Singapore, the Jurong Bird Park and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. In 1984 Dr Goh retired from politics. By then, he had been in the Cabinet for 25 years, serving the last 11 as Deputy Prime Minister. - CNA/sf/jy
President Nathan’s tribute to Goh Keng Swee:
SINGAPORE: President S R Nathan has paid tribute to the late Dr Goh Keng Swee.
Mr Nathan said: "Many will be the tributes that will be paid to this marvellous man, who devoted so much of his life for the advancement, progress and security of Singapore and our people.
"To that I would like to add my own tribute — as one who learnt so much at his feet.
"He was the foremost among the architects of the transformation of Singapore.
"He was behind many of our achievements as a Nation — be it in our economic progress and transformation in education, in defence and security or the enhancement of Singapore so that its people can have a better life.
"Nothing was too small or insignificant to be worthy of his attention. Whether it was the Girls’ Pipe Band, the SAF, the Music and Drama Company, the Zoo, the Jurong Bird Park, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra — he had a hand in all these.
"He was always steered by ideas, but his course was always determined by whether the idea would work. His consuming passion was how to help propel this Nation and people to greater heights.
"As a Straits—born, multi—racialism to him was not just a habit. He genuinely believed in it. He practised it in all his dealings with people.
"He was Calvinist in his thrift, scrupulous in his honesty and determined in his perseverance in whatever task he undertook.
"He had his principles as well as his prejudices. He had his moods and momentary indignations. But, above all, he was always prepared to listen.
"He had extraordinary energy and a sense of selflessness. He had a quick mind and the ability to make deep incisions of a problem, before suggesting a solution.
"He pursued with child—like enthusiasm whatever matter attracted his fancy, so long as it was something worthy of his pursuit. But always driven by whether its pursuit will be in the best interest of Singapore and the welfare of our people.
"Whatever aroused his interest he pursued with serious determination.
"Working with him in several areas was a unique experience. It gave me much satisfaction and a sense of fulfilment.
"He was by no means an easy person to work for. He had a formidable intellect and a photographic memory.
"Nothing escaped his scrutiny. He would be presented with a monumental volume for consideration over a weekend.
"Despite his many public engagements, he would always come to meetings, having got to the nub of the matter, and identified the weaknesses in the recommendations or the errors in the analysis.
"He was particular of the language used in communication and abhorred jargon. He always insisted that one writes simple English so that even a fool will understand.
"He was a man to work with in a crisis. If he was confident that one was up to the task of overcoming the crisis, be it an aircraft hijack or a serious bilateral problem with another nation — he hardly interfered in their handling.
"He was never shy to say that he did not know something or understood what they stood for. When he introduced ’Religious Studies’ in our Schools, he had a noble purpose.
"He felt strongly that it was through religious fables that one could pass on ’moral lessons’ to our children and in a way they can always relate to. He believed that ’story tellers’ should write such books, if children are to appreciate them. Proselytising a faith was not his purpose.
"He studied the textbooks of each faith and religious philosophy with equal interest and discussed them dispassionately, without allowing his own religious beliefs to interfere in their evaluation.
"He never failed to point out always that behind all the successes we have achieved there was always the hand of providence.
"He will be remembered by all who knew him, as a humble and simple man, who in his quiet way inspired one to achieve great things. He was indeed a gem of a man in all respects.
"I hope that future generations will think and ponder about his ideas, and appreciate what Dr Goh has contributed to Singapore’s development and growth and what some have called the ’magic of our success’."
http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4088291
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has expressed his condolences to the family of former Deputy Prime Minister Goh Keng Swee.
In a letter to Dr Goh’s wife, Mr Lee described Dr Goh as a founding father of Singapore who belonged to the core group of leaders who struggled against the British colonial government and fought the communists.
Mr Lee paid tribute to Dr Goh’s contributions to the nation. They include tackling the country’s most critical problems after Independence.
Mr Lee said: "After Singapore became independent in 1965, he tackled our nation’s most critical problems, and laid the foundations for our prosperity and security. Without him, the Singapore story would have been very different."
Mr Lee said Dr Goh was both a far—sighted visionary and a pragmatic manager.
"He was a man of ideas, but also excelled at bringing these ideas to fruition. Whatever the challenges, Dr Goh would stay calm, bring to bear his capacious mind, work out the best course of action, and then act decisively to solve the problem," said Mr Lee.
"In his 25 years in office, Dr Goh served in the most important ministries, making bold, imaginative changes to the policies and structures that now define Singapore," noted Mr Lee.
As Finance Minister, Dr Goh initiated the industrialisation programme and set Singapore on the path of sustained development and prosperity.
As Defence Minister, Dr Goh introduced national service and built up the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) from scratch.
As Education Minister, Dr Goh restructured the education system, from primary schools to the universities.
Mr Lee said: "In addition to the SAF, Dr Goh created and nurtured many institutions, including the Economic Development Board (EDB), Jurong Town Corporation (now called JTC Corporation), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), which have endured and become distinctive features of Singapore’s structure of government."
Mr Lee said Dr Goh had set out the key principles guiding many of Singapore’s policies.
"The fundamental tenets of thrift and hard work, free enterprise and prudent public finance, and harmonious industrial relations continue to form the bedrock of Singapore’s competitive strengths and success," said Mr Lee.
For Dr Goh, success meant more than leaving poverty behind. He believed that for a nation to grow in confidence and resilience, it needed spirit and soul.
Hence he conceived and launched projects like the Jurong Bird Park, the Singapore Zoological Garden, the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, for Singaporeans to relax, unwind, and develop an appreciation for the finer things in life.
In every organisation he headed, Dr Goh nurtured a culture of continuous adaptation and improvement to stay abreast of the changing world.
He set high standards, and groomed and trained young officers to meet his exacting requirements.
Dr Goh strongly supported leadership renewal, a continuing imperative for Singapore.
He actively pushed for the transition from the founding generation to a new, younger team of leaders who would lead Singapore to greater heights of achievement.
In 1984, Dr Goh himself requested to step down from Cabinet, though he remained active in many other roles, both in Singapore and abroad.
"What he created has endured, and become the foundation for succeeding generations to build and improve upon," said Mr Lee.
"However Singapore has progressed and transformed itself since Dr Goh retired, it still bears the imprint of the master builder of modern Singapore," said Prime Minister Lee.
— CNA/ir
http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4088196
