Minister of Transport Khaw Boon Wan has announced his retirement from politics after 19 years and will not be contesting in the coming general election (GE).
In a letter to Mr Khaw on Friday (26 June), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed his gratitude to Mr Khaw and talked about his political career including his roles in the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of Transport.
“They bookend a remarkable political career, during which you have taken on the most challenging jobs in the Cabinet,” he wrote.
Mr Khaw, who is aged 67-year-old, was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC).
“On behalf of all Singaporeans, and especially your residents in Sembawang, I thank you for all that you have done for Singapore, and wish you a happy, healthy and well-deserved retirement,” Mr Lee added.
The Prime Minister noted that Mr Khaw was the one who convinced him in 2012 to venture into social media, adding that he is “not likely to follow speeches and statements in detail”.
“For the younger Ministers, you have been a role model and a source of sage advice. They look to you to learn not only how to solve difficult problems, but also your seemingly effortless way of explaining nettlesome issues to Singaporeans,” wrote Mr Lee.
Mr Khaw also shared about his retirement on Facebook today, noting that “it is time to disembark at the next station”.
“Today, PM announced my retirement from politics, after 42 years of public service. It is a week of high emotion for me,” he wrote.
Mr Khaw added, “Ten years after my heart bypass, it’s time to say farewell and disembark at the next station, confident that the next crew will take #Singapore to newer height.”
