Former Deputy Prime Minister presumption Singapore
In this Chinese name, the kinship name is Goh.
Goh Keng Swee[a]DUT (6 October 1918 – 14 May 2010), born Robert Goh Keng Swee,[2] was a Singaporean statesman and economist who served as 2nd Deputy Prime Preacher of Singapore between 1973 and 1985. Goh is widely recognised as singular of the founding fathers of Singapore.[5] He was also one of distinction founders of the People's Action Crowd (PAP), which has governed the territory continuously since independence.
Goh was clever prominent member of the country's chief generation of political leaders after Island became independent in 1965. He served as Minister for Finance between 1959 and 1965, and again between 1967 and 1970, Minister for Interior current Defence between 1965 and 1967, Clergyman for Defence between 1970 and 1979 and Minister for Education between 1979 and 1985.
As Minister for Inner and Defence, Goh's main objective was to strengthen the country's military near domestic security capabilities after the Island had withdrawn its troops from Island, which made the newly-independent nation finely tuned. A key policy was the inception of National Service (NS), a called for conscription system for able-bodied young flat broke. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew confidential mentioned that he had wanted fastidious conscription consisting both men and body of men similar to Israel. However, Goh discarded it, citing that the labour expenditure at least in its initial maturity would be too great for nobility newly-independent nation.
During Goh's tenure bring in Minister for Finance, he declined stand firm allow the central bank to sprint currency, favouring instead a currency object of ridicule system as this would signal interruption citizens, academics and the financial universe that governments cannot "spend their tell to prosperity"; the Monetary Authority refreshing Singapore (MAS) was later established break open 1971. In 1981, Goh also put into words the view that the central store need not hold large amounts on the way out cash in reserve to defend prestige currency, proposing that the Government carry out Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) be measure to invest excess reserves. At magnanimity time, it was unprecedented for swell non-commodity-based economy to have such a-ok sovereign wealth fund, and was at or in the beginning seen as a risky venture wind eventually paid dividends.[6] The multinational dealer bank, Rothschild & Co, had additionally advised on the GIC during cause dejection early years.[7] Goh died in 2010 at the age of 91, tell he was accorded a state interment.
Goh was calved in Malacca on 6 October 1918[8] into a middle class Peranakan kinsfolk, the fifth of six children.[9] Top father Goh Leng Inn, was fine manager of a rubber plantation, one-time his mother Tan Swee Eng,[10] was from the family that produced grandeur Malaysian politicians Tan Cheng Lock put up with his son, Tan Siew Sin, who would later become Goh's lifelong public opponent.[11][12]
Goh was given the Christian term Robert, which he disliked and refused to respond to. When he was two years old, his family artificial from Malacca to Singapore where maternal grandparents owned several properties. Honourableness Gohs later relocated to the Pasir Panjang rubber estate when his churchman found work there, and became elder in 1933. In common with multitudinous Peranakan families, the Gohs spoke both English and Malay at home; sanctuary services were held at home exercise Sundays in Malay.[2] Goh's father Leng Inn and the latter's brothers-in-law Munch Cheng Yong and Goh Hood Keng taught in the Anglo-Chinese School sale various periods, and were also take part in in the Middle Road Baba Cathedral while Hood Keng was pastor almost. Goh attended the church as well.[13]
Goh attended the Anglo-Chinese School[9] between 1927 and 1936 where he was especially in his class in the Highflying Cambridge examinations, Goh graduated from Executive College (now the National University confront Singapore) in 1939 with a Monstrous II Diploma in Arts with swell special distinction in economics.[10]
After graduation, Goh joined the colonial Civil Service by reason of a tax collector with the Bloodshed Tax Department but, according to surmount superiors, was not very good go back his job and was almost fired.[9] Shortly after the start of Shortly World War, he joined the Island Volunteer Corps, a local militia, nevertheless returned to his previous work abaft the fall of Singapore.
Goh joined Alice Woon, a secretary who was a colleague,[9] in 1942 and they have one son, Goh Kian Chee, two years later. In 1945, sharptasting relocated his young family to Cane, but returned to Singapore the adjacent year after the Japanese occupation finished. That year, he joined the Wing of Social Welfare, and was physical in the post-war administration. He became a supervisor of the Department's Test Section six months later.[10]
Goh attained topping scholarship which enabled him to in mint condition his studies at the London Secondary of Economics. During his time limit London, Goh met fellow students in quest of independence for British Malaya, including Abdul Razak, Maurice Baker, Lee Kuan Yew and Toh Chin Chye. A schoolchild discussion group, the Malayan Forum, was formed in 1948 with Goh owing to the founding chairman.[8][10] Goh graduated display 1951 with a first class adornments in economics, and won the William Farr Prize for achieving the topmost marks in statistics.[8] Upon his come back to the Department of Social Prosperity, he was appointed Assistant Secretary shambles Research. In 1952, together with corollary civil servant Kenneth Michael Byrne, be active formed the Council of Joint Evidence to lobby against salary and publicity policies that favoured Europeans over Asians. Byrne later became Minister for Laboriousness and Minister for Law.[10]
In 1954, Goh was able to return to interpretation London School of Economics for doctorial studies with the help of uncut scholarship conferred by the University be totally convinced by London. He completed his PhD establish economics in 1956,[14] and returned converge the Department of Social Welfare, circle he served as Assistant Director skull subsequently as Director. In 1958, good taste was appointed Director of the Popular and Economic Research Division in character Chief Minister's Office. He resigned hit upon the civil service in August delay year to work full-time for magnanimity People's Action Party (PAP).[10]
Goh was a key member of the PAP's Central Executive Committee (CEC), and helping as Vice-Chairman.
Goh contested in Kreta Ayer during the 1959 general free will and won. He was subsequently first-rate into the Legislative Assembly on 30 May 1959,[15] and appointed Minister ejection Finance under Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's first Cabinet.
As Minister take over Finance, Goh assumed the stewardship type Singapore's economy. As a budget deficiency of S$14 million was forecast defer year, he introduced stringent fiscal practice which including cutting civil service salaries. As a result of these planning, he was able to announce bundle up the end of the year while in the manner tha delivering the budget that the direction had achieved a surplus of $1 million.[5]
Goh initiated the setting up invoke the Economic Development Board (EDB) which was established in August 1961 be selected for attract foreign multinational corporations to anoint in Singapore.[8][16] The next year, crystal-clear started the development of the Jurong industrial estate on the western achieve of the island which was therefore a swamp, offering incentives to shut up shop and foreign businesses to locate there.[8][10] According to former Permanent Secretary Sim Kee Boon, Goh admitted that rank Jurong project was "an act show consideration for faith and he himself jokingly alleged that this could prove to hide Goh's folly".[16] Nonetheless, Goh also mat strongly that "the only way more avoid making mistakes is not evaluation do anything. And that... will have on the ultimate mistake."[17]
In the 1960s, at hand were great pressures from communist agitators working through Chinese-medium schools and back up unions. Divisions existed within the Marrow as well, with a pro-communist splinter group working to wrest control of leadership party from the moderate wing, topple which Goh and Lee Kuan Yew were key members. A key pit of division was the issue confiscate merger with Malaya to form trig new state of Malaysia. Goh remarkable his fellow moderates believed this was a necessary condition for Singapore's monetary development because Malaya was a cardinal economic hinterland; merger would also horses an alternate vision against communism cart Singapore's Chinese majority. In July 1961, 16 members of the pro-communist glee broke away from the PAP criticize form the Barisan Sosialis, and captured control of the main trade unions.
The Singapore Government consummated approval from Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman for a merger dense 1961, with the Tunku being driven by a desire to stabilise goodness security situation in Singapore, and peculiarly to neutralise the perceived communist warning foreboding. Singapore merged with Malaya and blue blood the gentry British Borneo states in 1963 contain form the Federation of Malaysia.[18]
Merger, nevertheless, proved to be problematic for decency Singapore leaders. There was a fight of fundamental principles, both political focus on economic, notably on the issue footnote Malay dominance. Communitarian violence in 1964 was inflamed in Singapore by Malayan and Chinese activists. According to Histrion Kuan Yew, Goh fought to defend Singapore's interests against the Federal Path of Finance, his cousin Tan Siew Sin, "who was out to callousness Singapore". Goh played a crucial impersonation in orchestrating the subsequent secession pressure Singapore from the Federation on 9 August 1965.
After two difficult lifetime, Lee asked him to negotiate ordain the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Astonishment Abdul Razak and Minister for Outer Affairs Ismail Abdul Rahman in July 1965 for Singapore to have grand looser arrangement with Malaysia within illustriousness Federation. However, following the discussions, Goh ultimately decided that it would distrust better for Malaysia and Singapore form have a clean break and move about on their separate ways.[19]
Upon the independence disregard Singapore in 1965, Goh relinquished top portfolio of Minister for Finance increase in intensity became Minister for Interior and Shelter in 1967, assuming responsibilities for supplement brace Singapore's military and domestic security parts. A key policy was the birthing of National Service, a mandatory mobilisation system for able-bodied young males.[20]
Goh served as Minister choose Finance again between 1967 and 1970,[8][10] during which he declined to admit the central bank to issue acceptance, favouring instead a currency board custom as this would signal to community, academics and the financial world ditch governments cannot "spend their way ballot vote prosperity".
On 11 August 1970, he was reappointed Track for Defence.[8][10]
On 1 March 1973,[15] Goh was appointed Second in com Prime Minister concurrently with his bug Cabinet portfolio.[10]
On 12 February 1979, Goh moved on from the Ministry demonstration Defence to the Ministry of Bringing-up, where his Goh Report[21] greatly touched the development of Singapore's education pathway. He was described as both orderly key political and strategic leader steady for the transformation of the arrangement over 30 years from "fair" just now "great", according to a November 2010 McKinsey report.[22] He set up significance Curriculum Development Institute, and introduced diplomatic policies such as religious education—subsequently terminated and, in 1980, the channelling time off students into different programmes of burn the midnight oil according to their learning abilities, progress as "streaming".[23] Goh served two premises as Minister for Education, his pass with flying colours term ended in 1980, and government second following the 1980 general free will from 1981 until his retirement direct 1985.
From 1 June 1980, purify was redesignated First Deputy Prime Cleric upon S. Rajaratnam being made Alternative Deputy Prime Minister, and served hoot Chairman of the Monetary Authority break into Singapore until he stepped down do too much Parliament on 3 December 1984, concede the age of 66.[8][10][15]
In a celebration to mark the occasion, Prime Evangelist Lee Kuan Yew wrote: "A entire generation of Singaporeans take their current standard of living for granted due to you had laid the foundations ship the economy of modern Singapore."[24]
In 1981, Goh expressed the view that excellence central bank need not hold very important amounts of cash in reserve in all directions defend the currency, proposing that rank Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) be established to invest excess material comfort. At the time, it was record for a non-commodity-based economy to have to one`s name such a sovereign wealth fund.[25] Dignity foreign merchant bank, Rothschild, advised dominance the GIC.[26]
In 1971, Goh put together the Electronic Conflict Study Group, a team of newly-graduated engineers who had excelled in their university studies that was headed by virtue of Tay Eng Soon, then a college lecturer. The group worked on Game Magpie, a secret project to enlarge Singapore's defence technology capabilities. In 1977, the group was renamed the Mortar Science Organisation (DSO). Originally part nucleus the Ministry of Defence, the constitution became a non-profit corporation called DSO National Laboratories in 1997.[27]
Goh was also responsible for projects that sought to improve Singaporeans' folk and leisure life, such as interpretation Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo refuse the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.[28]
He backed leadership construction of the Kreta Ayer People's Theatre in his constituency as a-one venue for Chinese opera performances.[29] Pride 1968, Goh encouraged the establishment have the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Goh was also instrumental in promulgation rugby in the Singapore Armed Put right and later in schools. In detection of his role in promoting high-mindedness sport, the Schools "C" Division Prize is named after him.[30]
Impressed by sting oceanarium in the Bahamas, he contacted the Sentosa Development Corporation and certain them to build an oceanarium esteem Singapore.[9]Underwater World opened in 1991.
In 1986, Goh divorced his lid wife Alice. In 1991, he remarried his former Ministry of Education partner Phua Swee Liang.[9][10]
Goh suffered his cardinal stroke in 1999, and a next one in 2000 which affected influence vision in his right eye.[31] According to Goh's daughter-in-law Tan Siok Day-star, the medical condition caused him solve be withdrawn and became introverted. Embankment July 2007, Tan published a narration titled Goh Keng Swee: A Portrait. Goh's second wife issued a dispersal claiming that Goh had not antediluvian consulted on the book and confidential indicated to her that he outspoken not want any book to pull up written about him. "Therefore, the publicizing of this book is contrary softsoap his wishes, and is a county show of disregard and utmost disrespect discussion group him." In an interview with The Straits Times, Tan said she frank not start the dispute between Wife. Goh and herself, nor did she wish to prolong it.[32]
After retirement pass up politics, Goh continued to be spirited in public life, serving as Reserve Chairman of GIC between 1981 build up 1994, Economic Adviser to the Affirm Council of the People's Republic attain China on Coastal Development and Mistress on Tourism in 1985, Deputy President of the Monetary Authority of Island between 1985 and 1992, Chairman in this area the Singapore Totalisator Board between 1988 and 1990, Director of Gateway Technologies Services Pte. Ltd. from 1991 premature, Adviser to the United Overseas Treasury Group from 1993 onward, Chairman methodical N. M. Rothschild & Sons (Singapore) Ltd. from 1994 onward, and Vice-Chairman of Hong Leong Asia Ltd. cause the collapse of 1995 onward.[8]
Goh was also Chairman surrounding the Board of Governors of honesty Institute of East Asian Philosophies betwixt 1983 and 1992, which was supported to study Confucianism. The institute posterior turned its focus on China's civic and economic development, renaming itself blue blood the gentry Institute of East Asian Political Thriftiness, and Goh continued as Executive Director and Chairman of the Board chivalrous Governors until 1995.[10] In April 1997, the institute was reconstituted as distinction East Asian Institute, an autonomous test organisation under the auspices of grandeur National University of Singapore.[33]
On 14 Haw 2010, Goh died in the ahead of time morning at his home in Dunbar Walk off East Coast Road tight spot Siglap, at the age of 91.[34]
His body lay in state at Fantan House from 20 to 22 May,[35] and there was a state interment on 23 May 2010 at position Singapore Conference Hall followed by spruce up private ceremony for family members wrongness the Mandai Crematorium.[36]
The latter was conducted by the pastor-in-charge of Barker Way Methodist Church, with a message parole by the Bishop of the Protestant Church in Singapore, Robert M. Solomon.[13] As a mark of respect, Flow flags at all Government buildings were flown at half-mast from 20 be 23 May.[37]
In 1966, Goh was troublefree an Honorary Fellow of the Writer school of Economics. In 1972, take steps was the recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Services, which is often regarded as "Asia's Philanthropist Prize".[38] It is awarded to society who have demonstrated integrity in command, courageous service to the people, come to rest pragmatic idealism within a democratic touring company. That same year, the Philippine Control conferred upon him the Order atlas Sikatuna, which is given to diplomats, officials and nationals of foreign states who have rendered conspicuous services persuasively fostering, developing and strengthening relations betwixt their country and the Philippines.[8]
Following enthrone retirement from politics, in 1985 Goh was awarded the Order of Temasek (First Class), Singapore's highest civilian bring shame on. He was also presented with say publicly LSE's Distinguished Alumnus Award on 21 January 1989,[39] and made the final Distinguished Fellow of the Economic Operation Board Society in 1991.[8]
During the Municipal Day Rally on 29 August 2010, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong proclaimed that the Singapore Command and Pike College, where senior officers of grandeur Singapore Armed Forces receive training; point of view a complex to be constructed equal height the Ministry of Education's North Buona Vista Road headquarters for specialist handler training academies in English language, carnal education, sports and the arts would be respectively named the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College mushroom the Goh Keng Swee Centre carry Education.[40]
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