Dr Goh Keng Swee passed away today. He was a great leader, a prime architect of Singapore's success today. The internet was swarmed with tributes to him.
As Minister of Finance in 1959, he introduced an industrialisation programme with the aim of creating jobs for Singaporeans. Jurong, a swampy wasteland, was transformed into Singapore's first industrial estate. He offered incentives and invited foreign investments in the areas. He initiated the setting up of the Economic Development Board which was established on August 1961 with the purpose of overseeing the economic development of Singapore.
When Singapore attained independence on the 9 August 1965, he became the first Minister of Defence. With the withdrawal of the British troops from Singapore, he saw an urgent need for a strong defence force. He established the setting up of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) with the implementation of compulsory national service for all male Singaporeans above eighteen years old.
As Minister of Education, the importance of curriculum development in the education system prompted him to set up the Curriculum Development Institute. He introduced streaming in 1980 to allow students to learn at their own pace within their own capabilities.
When he was appointed Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Board of Commissioner of Currency (BCC) in 1980, he took measures to promote Singapore as an international financial centre. To this end, in 1984, amendments were made to three major financial regulations, namely the Banking Act, the Monetary Authority of Singapore Act, and Finance Companies Act. During the 1985 recession, he acted to stop the downward slide of the Singapore dollar.
* source: http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_662_2005-01-11.html
As all of you studied the chapter on good governance, I am sure you will agree with me that without great leaders like Dr Goh Keng Swee, Singapore will not be what she is today.
Dr Goh Keng Swee - we salute you and will always remember what you have done for us and generations to come.
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