Dr. Goh Keng Swee (1918 - 2010)

I am 27, turning 28 soon. When Dr. Goh Keng Swee (吴庆瑞) retired from politics in 1985, I was but a child of 3 years. I did not know Dr. Goh Keng Swee in the manner that we now know leaders today, via television interviews, the internet and sometimes, in person. I knew him, through Singapore history studies. Together with Lee Kuan Yew, Dr. Goh and the team built the Singapore nation when it did not exist. Upon the separation from Malaya, Singapore become an independent state, but that does not mean a 'nation' existed. I would like to believe Dr. Goh perceived this issue, that a nation necessitated a sense of group identity, sentiment, loyalty, belonging.

Surely, Dr. Goh was most concerned with solving pressing problems of the day, such as budget deficits, lack of defense capabilities and high school drop-out rates etc. And he was a great problem-solver. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew referred to him as his close friend and troubleshooter. Dr. Goh's robust approach to problems encouraged Mr. Lee Kuan Yew to press on, he had said in his solemn eulogy. Dr. Goh's approach was rational and pragmatic, for sure.

I believe he was not merely solving the problems of the day, but also building something for the long run - a nation. I need not say too much about this. :)

I know now, as a 'young' Singaporean, that he had a very human side. Dr. S. Dhanabalan, Mr. Lee Hsien Loong mentioned how he was a mentor, and how he listened to people, and individuals. He treated people as real individuals, that's for sure. And it is therefore not surprising that he was not constrained by bureaucratic structures. I believe, in his wisdom, he knew the bureaucracy was merely man-made, and made up of men. No wonder he cut through the red tape so quickly, as was alluded in Dr. S. Dhanabalan's speech.

Now that he is gone from this mortal Earth, much has been said about this titan, visionary. News reports, TV segments, and eloquent eulogies have been said. His daughter-in-law did write a book about him, too - Goh Keng Swee: A Portrait. Through the reports and eulogies, we now know a more private, human, side of this titan. Dr. Goh as grandfather to Goh Ken-yi. Dr. Goh as grand-uncle to Marian Hui, Dr. Goh as mentor to many many, Dr. Goh as a fighter for Singapore.

On a personal note, I know his impact on my life is significant. I now live in comfort, after having gone through many years of good education. I live in a country whose economy is doing well. I am now billingual, albeit more proficient in English than Mandarin, thanks to him. I went through army, which made me grow so much as person, and through which, I experienced the real melting pot of peoples that is Singapore.

Rest in peace, Dr. Goh.