Dr. Goh Keng Swee died at age 91
Former Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Goh Keng Swee has passed on early Friday morning (14th May 2010). He was 91.
Dr. Goh first entered the political realm in 1959 by running in the Legislative Assembly Election on the PAP ticket, and eventually became the first Finance Minister of Singapore. He eventually retired in 1984.
Apart from being the Finance Minister, Dr. Goh also introduced National Service and streaming in school. He also had a hand in promoting tourism by calling for the need for the Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
In Dr. Goh’s words:
“You are a prime minister but you have no army. How are you going to defend youself?” – Goh Keng Swee to Lee Kuan Yew, who had wanted a Territorial Army, a small part-time, low cost militia
“I decided to change the system simply because the teachers did not know what they were teaching. You’re teaching people English and you’re teaching it as a first subject, as if all these people are from English-speaking homes.” – Goh Keng Swee on shaking up Singapore’s education system
“We are not the philistines that our economic and material success might lead people to believe we are. We believe that there’s more to life than making money and that the orchestra would be worthwhile as it would raise the standard of culture of Singaporeans.” – Goh Keng Swee on the government’s support for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra
( Source: The Master Sculptor: Goh Keng Swee, Call No.: SING 959.570 NAI)
You can visit our Highbrowse post for more background on Dr. Goh.
Originally posted by Yen Yen Toh, Librarian, Adult and People’s Services
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How many political leaders say,”Cut my pay. Coastal Police need their salaries.”? That’s Dr. Goh Keng Swee. My granddad wrote to him often while he was in Malaysia. He continued writing to him after he settled down in Singapore.
Comment by kelly — May 14, 2010 @ 4:50 pm
Salute to Dr Goh.
Comment by Mrs Ang — May 18, 2010 @ 1:35 pm
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for sharing that quote with us! Would you like to share more of the letters’ contents and background of your granddad’s friendship with Dr. Goh? I’m sure the public would be interested too..
Comment by yenyen — May 18, 2010 @ 1:40 pm
the legacy he leaves behind will touch us all forever…
Comment by singapore photographer — May 22, 2010 @ 7:40 pm
My deepest condolence to the Family of Former Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Goh Keng Swee. Dr Goh Keng Swee will be greatly remembered and defined by all Singaporeans. I think whatever the people may say, when compared to just fifty years ago, Singapore has brought peace and prosperity to its people bacause of you have done.
Comment by Mr Health Conscious — May 31, 2010 @ 5:26 pm
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Comment by livescore — April 3, 2012 @ 12:37 pm