Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong is retiring from politics after 44 years of serving as Member of Parliament (MP) for Marine Parade.

Mr Goh, who is aged 79-year-old, conveyed his decision in a letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday (24 June), noting that he had decided not to contest in the coming general election (GE) “after much thought and with a heavy heart”.

“Many have urged me to stand for another term. But I should not. I would not have the same energy when I cross into my 80s,” he wrote.

In his letter, Mr Goh recommended Dr Tan See Leng to take over his place in Marine Parade, adding that Dr Tan has been his understudy for nearly two years.

“See Leng connects well with residents, Branch members and grassroots leaders alike. He has held dialogues with residents and gone on house visits until Covid-19 put a stop to them,” he said.

Mr Goh also bids farewell to politics in a Facebook post earlier today (25 June), saying that he will “continue to contribute to Marine Parade and Singapore in other ways”.

“To all my Marine Parade GRC residents, thank you for your support all these years. I wish you good health, happiness and success,” Mr Goh asserted. “This is au revoir, not adieu.”

The exchange of letters was released by the Prime Minister’s Office on the same day Mr Goh handed his letter to the Prime Minister. PM Lee accepted his decision and expressed his gratitude to Mr Goh.

The Prime Minister also took to Facebook earlier today, saying that he is “forever indebted” to Mr Goh who brought him into politics.

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

“I am glad Chok Tong has found a successor as Chairman of the PAP Marine Parade Branch — Dr Tan See Leng. I am also glad that he will maintain his links to Marine Parade, as Chairman Emeritus of Marine Parade Branch and Adviser Emeritus to Marine Parade GROs,” he wrote.

Subscribe
Notify of
31 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
You May Also Like

K Shanmugam says POFMA only a problem for those spreading misleading news, but what about pro-PAP fake accounts?

In an interview with Channel News Asia, Law & Home Affairs Minister…

NZ PM blocks own pay rise while PM Lee's wife shares article explaining why her husband's salary "so high"

Last year, news emerged that New Zealand (NZ) Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern…

行动不便者组屋没电梯 黄循财:三万元津贴助买新组屋或转售屋

若所住组屋内没有电梯,对于行动不便之人,可能会面临难以出入的情况,因此政府将拨款高达3万元津贴,协助居民购买新组屋或转售组屋。 国家发展部长兼财政部第二部长黄循财,昨日(4日)在国会拨款委员会辩论国家发展部开支预算时表示,绝大多数组屋已完成组屋电梯翻新,但目前全国仍有约150座组屋则是因为费用、技术或场地限制而迟迟无法进行翻新。 因此,当局推出3万元电梯服务安居津贴( Lift access Housing Grant,简称LHG),让所需之人能够购买新的组屋或转售组屋,换取更适合的住所。 针对翻新工程的成本,黄循财指出,部分工程成本甚至多达每户家庭20万元左右,其价格已可购买另一间组屋单位。 当局也将继续探讨成本较低的新技术方案。 另一方面,黄循财也表示,若居民有紧急情况,需另觅住处,可考虑购买附近剩余的组屋或转售组屋,而现有的单位屋主应自行与经纪商讨卖屋事宜,若有困难也可向建屋局求助。 我国因地缘关系,大部分居民都会居住在组屋内,而这对于行动不便之人,若无电梯,将会面临相当不便的情况。 由于逾5300座组屋没有在每层设有电梯,导致行动不便的人难以出入,政府曾于2001年推出电梯翻新计划。…