Lee Hsien Loong Infighting with Goh Chok Tong

Speaking to reporters yesterday (Jan 26), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong did not hide his contempt for his predecessor Goh Chok Tong, saying that the former PM is just watching:

“ESM Goh is speaking with the privilege of watching things rather than being responsible to make it happen. I think we know it’s a very serious matter.”

Holding the position of Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM), Goh Chok Tong had earlier last month complained that Lee Hsien Loong is taking too long to choose his successor. ESM Goh Chok Tong had also told state media reporters that Lee Hsien Loong would retire by 70 years old, which the Prime Minister had never commented to the public when he intend to retire.

The infighting between the two PAP leaders have a long history. The above slap from Lee Hsien Loong is the second public appearance with the first during GE2011, where Goh Chok Tong expressed his unhappiness with Lee Hsien Loong-allocated MP Tin Pei Ling sitting in his Marine Parade GRC. Tin Pei Ling was then removed from the GRC in GE 2015.

According to sources close with the Prime Minister, Marine Parade GRC’s Tan Chuan Jin was demoted from his ministerial position because he was too “pro-Goh Chok Tong”. The handful of “pro-Goh Chok Tong” MPs are mostly dissatisfied with the current administration of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, but are too fearful to speak out. Many of these MPs want Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat to be the next Prime Minister, but Lee Hsien Loong prefers former army general Chan Chun Sing as the latter is more obedient.

There has been an ongoing infighting between Heng Swee Keat and Chan Chun Sing for the PM position, as both refused to give up their claim. Although Chan Chun Sing’s MP supporters are outnumbered 3-to-1 against Heng Swee Keat’s MP supporters, most of them heavyweight ministers like Grace Fu, Lawrence Wong, K Shanmugam, Khaw Boon Wan and Indranee Rajah.

Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong - confirmed to retire from Cabinet

MT3 wrote:
They have completely destroyed our trust in them. What took them so long to realise that their policies only stratify society. Only two classes exists ... the haves and the have nots.

This inevitably leads to the "politics of envy" which MM mentioned decades ago that Singapore must avoid. If this prevails, then chaos will result. This is the price we pay for their "arrogance" and refusal to listen.

The resentment is across many levels of society and may get entrenched deeper. This is the turn of events, if nothing is done.

Evolving out of this will be a transformation and renewal of the way the incumbents go about their business, which cannot be "business as usual". The era of the one party state is slowly dying and there is now, a new beginning.

The resolve to work towards a "two party system" and a first world parliament, will only get stronger and as of now, is not a sure conclusion.

There must be continued vigilance and there must be alternative voices in parliament.

A slower GDP growth will result and whats wrong with that, if there is stability, no civil disobedience and mutual respect.

All the brothers and sisters here, who helped in the dissemination of information can now pat themselves on their back.

This is round one.
================================================
An End To A Major Source of Moral Corruption.

This will at least prevent them from helping the Workers Party to win more seats with their racist comments and silly remarks on Ting Pei Ling, in the next election.

These two oldies are not only a burden to the PAP, they are also a symbol of the moral corruption currently being practised in the cabinet. They are collecting pensions like pensioners, but are also receiving salaries and allowances in whatever names they may choose call it.

And I have not mentioned the exorbitant salaries of all the ministers yet. All of them earning 3 to 5 times the salary of an over-worked and over-stressed American President, who is the next highest paid head of state outside of Singapore.

By the way, even if they are not in the cabinet, it doesn't mean they have no influence over the decision-making process. It just become less transparent, that's all.
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Quote:
SINGAPORE : Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on Saturday said they have decided to leave the Cabinet for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his team to have a fresh clean slate.

In a joint statement, they said: "We have studied the new political situation and thought how it can affect the future. We have made our contributions to the development of Singapore. The time has come for a younger generation to carry Singapore forward in a more difficult and complex situation.

"The Prime Minister and his team of younger leaders should have a fresh clean slate. A younger generation, besides having a non-corrupt and meritocratic government and a high standard of living, wants to be more engaged in the decisions which affect them.

"After a watershed General Election, we have decided to leave the Cabinet and have a completely younger team of ministers to connect to and engage with this young generation in shaping the future of our Singapore.

"But the younger team must always have in mind the interests of the older generation. This generation who has contributed to Singapore must be well-looked after."
---------------------------------------------
Quote:
SINGAPORE's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, said he has not yet decided whether to accept Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's resignations from the Cabinet.

But it is likely he will give his answer by Monday, local media reported. MM Lee and SM Goh announced their decision to retire on Saturday.

PM Lee said the move was initiated by the two leaders themselves but he had already known about it. He said the decision by the two former Prime Ministers to retire was a "major event" for Singapore which would affect his new Cabinet line-up.

Speaking after a post-election victory parade on Saturday, PM Lee said the decision to retire "shows that they are thinking of Singapore and for the future of Singapore."

He added, "The basic consideration is what is the best approach for forming a team which would be most effective in solving problems and establishing rapport and trust with the people going forward for the next five years."
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THE SACKING OF GOH CHOK TONG

Joblessjoe wrote:
On May 15, 3:06 pm, beni wrote:
> Many people in Marine Parade blame Goh Chok Tong for not telling them
> that he was going to leave the cabinet and become an ordinary MP so
> soon after being elected.
> Frankly, I don't think Goh Chok Tong expected the old bastard Lee Kuan
> Yew to act so fast against him. Goh must be thinking that he had at
> least a few months to gather all his gang, including George Yeo, and
> some other veterans and plot the overthrow of the pondan Lee Hsien
> Loong.
> Lee Kuan Yew, on the hand, knows that his days are numbered and he has
> to destroy Lee Hsien Loong's enemies fast. If not, these enemies will
> pounce on pondon Lee Hsien Loong and tear him into a million pieces
> the moment Lee Kuan Yew up lorry.

There is no doubt that LHL sacked GCT with the blessing of the old
fox. Probably even with the wily old fox's instruction. In order to
look good to the public, the old fox also "step down". Who is going to
stop the fox from ruling in proxy?

Whatever happens, Singaporeans is not going to buy this wayang. It is
taken as an insult to all Singaporeans.

The writing is already on the wall.... the PAP is in its Death throes.

Goh Chok Tong's World Cup 2010 Empty Promise

From: Superbee
Subject: Re: Singapore to play in World Cup in 2010

During the 1998 National Day Rally speech, Prime Minister Goh Chok
Tong after watching the French victory in 1998 World Cup said he was
inspired by a group of players led by Zinedine Zidane who is of
Algerian extraction. He further commented:

"Look at the French World Cup football team. In the final against
Brazil, I picked Zidane as the most outstanding French player. He is
of Algerian descent. Of the 22-players, more than half did not look
"French". They looked Argentinian, Armenian, Basque, Caribbean,
Ghanaian, New Caledonian. Some were born in France, but of immigrant
parents. Others are first generation French citizens. When they went
up to receive their medals, President Chirac embraced all of them as
Frenchmen. He sent a strong political signal for multi-racialism and
against xenophobia: that in France, so long as you contribute to the
French cause, it does not matter what colour your skin is or where you
were born.

Last year I told you Singapore would never have a chance in the World
Cup, because the rules require all players to be citizens. But after
watching the French victory, I have changed my mind. Maybe if we
change our immigration criteria to bring in top football talent and
make them citizens, then one day we too can get into the finals. In
fact we intend to do just this, to bring in sports talent."

By 2006, even with the Foreign Talent Scheme in place, the World Cup
goal had been abandoned.

By 2010, Singapore is nowhere near that goal after spending a lot of
money. However, the Table Tennis foreign talent scheme had worked to
secured a World Championship for Singapore.

For Singapore, perhaps better to start with small ball better than big
ball. Ladies' hand better than men's foot. Maybe the next goal is
2020, Singapore will bring the World Cup home ... by the ladies
again, .... men just dream on!

On Jun 9, 8:26 pm, "Grandprix" wrote:

> Does anybody remember our ex-PM declaring that Singapore would play in the
> 2010 World Cup?

> Two more days and why are players still in Singapore and drinking teh tarik
> at kopi-tiam????

> Singapore can do; see our women's paddlers!! Singapore can. Still got time
> to go to South Africa. We can beat Brazil or the best of Europe! Let's go!

Goh Chok Tong's Swiss Standard of Living - 25 years after

Vanessa Lee wrote:
IT HAS been more than 25 years since then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong first mooted the idea, in December 1984, of Singapore achieving a Swiss standard of living by 1999.

We seem to have moved beyond talk of a Swiss standard, towards aiming to be a global city. But to what extent is Switzerland still an appropriate role model, and should cross-pollination between the two cultures be looked at more seriously?

After all, we share many similarities. Compared to our neighbours, we are both small countries with strictly limited natural resources, which punch above our weight. Like Singapore, multi-ethnic Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansch. Living with foreigners is also something held in common.

"Thirty, 40 years ago, people from Italy, Spain and Portugal were building our roads, to build our nation basically," said businessman Martin Silberstein, who is also president of the Swiss Club in Singapore.

Some sentiments may be held in common, suggested one Swiss expat.

Mr Michael Schuerch, who has worked in Singapore, and now works in the banking industry in Hong Kong, said: "Switzerland is not part of the EU. Like some Singaporeans, some Swiss think we are special and unique compared to our neighbours. However, the Swiss who travel abroad may recognise that they're not that special."

As nations that are also financial hubs, Singapore and Switzerland similarly experienced having been briefly put on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) "grey" list.

Last November, Singapore was taken off the grey list, which comprises countries that are not sufficiently transparent in sharing tax information.

"Switzerland has adopted, like Singapore, the OECD standards with regard to transparencies and with regard to the exchange of information with regard to tax issues. Singapore, like Switzerland, was on the grey list almost at the same time," said Mr Joerg Alois Reding, the Swiss Ambassador to Singapore.

"Since last September, Switzerland was able to fulfil the requirement to be taken off the grey list by concluding more than 12 double taxation agreements," he said.

Small nations need to have their niche, said the Ambassador. "I think Switzerland and Singapore, we will ... always be able to find the niche in order to fufill the expectations of the markets.

"I think we have to let our voice be heard through our economic and administrative competencies."

Of course, there are many differences between the two. Under Switzerland's system of direct democracy, for example, people vote in national or regional referendums which can be called several times a year.

Also, environmental consciousness and recycling are taken more seriously in Switzerland, where "nobody just throws out old batteries", said Dr Suzanne Hraba-Renevey, executive director of Swissnex, which promotes Swiss education and innovation.

For one Singaporean, working in Zurich for a year was a pleasant surprise.

"To be frank, I've been working for probably 11 years and working in Zurich was actually the first time I actually achieved work-life balance," said Ms Crystal Koh, a financial lawyer in her 30s.

Elections not so soon yet : SM Goh

From: Tanki
SENIOR Minister Goh Chok Tong welcomes the entry of young Singaporeans
into the ranks of the opposition but says the People's Action Party is
out to attract even better young people.

Singaporeans should also not start getting excited about a general
election as the Government was still focused on the economy, he told
reporters at a Marine Parade constituency event on Sunday.

The Straits Times reported last week that two ex-government
scholarship holders had joined the Reform Party. Several young,
tertiary-educated individuals have also joined other opposition
parties. The Workers' Party said it recruited 50 young people this
past year, many of them graduates and professionals.

Said Mr Goh of these developments: 'It's not a bad sign because
politics in the future should be contested by able people, especially
those with good character. And young, able people do not have to agree
with the PAP.

'Of course, we hope they would join us, even though they disagree with
us, so that we can have disagreements sorted out within the PAP, and
then we have a policy manifesto for the public.'

But he added: 'If they choose to contest against us, but they are
decent people with good views, I think it is to be welcomed. Of
course, I'd be happy if they were to join us, but let it be. Then, if
you move into the future, there will be a better contest of ideas in
the political domain.'

Goh Chok Tong does not know what he is talking Better to shut up

From: "truth"
Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:50:24 GMT
Local: Mon, Aug 10 2009 9:50 pm
Subject: Re: Goh Chok Tong does not know what he is talking. Better to shut up.

The pap Leegime has to prop up the evil Burmese junta in
order to make LKY looks civil when compare to these people.

"labour" wrote in message

> August 7, Irrawaddy
> Suu Kyi is 'part of the problem': Goh Chok Tong - Wai Moe

> Goh Chok Tong, Singapore's former prime minister and current senior
> minister, said on Thursday that Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu
> Kyi is "part of the problem" facing the military-ruled country. HOW CAN
> SHE BE PART OF THE PEOBLEM???. SHE IS IN INCOMMUNICADO. SHE CANT TALK?.
> NOT ALLOWED. HOW CAN SHE BE PART OF THE PROBLEM.

> Goh told reporters at the Asia-Middle East Media Roundtable in Singapore
> that while the West sees Suu Kyi as the solution to Burma's problems, she
> is also "part of problem" because she believes she is the government,
> SORRY GOH CHOK TONG !! SHE DID NOT STATE AT ANY THINE SHE IS THE
> GOVERNMENT. WHER DID YOU GET THIS RUBBISH ???.
> according to Singapore's Channel NewsAsia news network. SUU KYI IS LOCKED
> UP MOST OF THE TIME. SHE WANTS DIALOGUE BUT THE JUNTA DOES NOT. THE JUNTA
> JUST DOES NOT WANT TO DIALOGUE !!!. THEIR ATTITUDE IS "WE HAVE GOT THE
> GUNS AND YOU WILL DO AS I SAY". THIS IS DIRTY DICTATORSHIP. WORST THAN
> YOUR POLICE STATE...

> He also suggested Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy
> (NLD), needed to seek a fresh mandate in the 2010 elections, saying that
> Suu Kyi should not dwell on the fact that her party's victory in the 1990
> elections was not recognized by the junta. HER PARTY WON THE ELECTION BUT
> WAS STOLEN BY THE JUNTA BECAUSE THE JUNTA WAS AFRAID ID REPRISALS. THE
> BLOOD OF THE PEOPLE ARE STILL WET ON THEIR HANDS.

> "That was 19 years ago, that's history. PEOPLE ARE STANDING UP FOR
> PRINCIPLE, DEMOCRACY, OPENESS, PEACE AND JUSTICE. If she realizes she has
> to be part
> of the solution, she has to offer some concessions, such as to publicly
> say that she would be in favor of the lifting of sanctions," Goh was
> quoted as saying in The Malaysian Insider on Friday.
> On Burma's scheduled elections for next year, Goh said the junta should
> make sure that the elections were "fair, free and legitimate." He added:
> "The process must involve parties that oppose you as well. Aung San Suu
> Kyi must be allowed to participate." THE JUNTA WILL NOT ALLOW THAT. THEY
> ARE AFRAID OF SUU KYI.

Wanted - Strong wings deep roots

From: b...@b.com (Polar Bear)
Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:19:17 GMT
Local: Wed, Jul 1 2009 12:19 pm
Subject: Wanted: Strong wings, deep roots

Get ready, another round of pay rise for the talents.

Are we the talents?

Wanted: Strong wings, deep roots

By Goh Chin Lian, Senior Political Correspondent

More than one in five of the top students from the 1996-1999 A level graduating
cohorts are not working in Singapore today.

And of those from the same batches who went on to universities overseas without
a scholarship bond, more than one in three are today carving out careers outside
the country.

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong gave these statistics yesterday to illustrate the
urgency of getting young Singaporeans to sink roots here even as they become
more entrepreneurial and break out into the global economy.

'If more and more of our bright students do not return, this begs the question
whether our success in giving them wings to fly far and high will result in our
eventual decline as a nation, especially as we are not even reproducing
ourselves.

Related link:
Students should be 'world-ready'
'No nation will be able to sustain its growth and prosperity without sufficient
talent, much less a small country like Singapore without natural resources,'
said Mr Goh.

He was speaking to more than 1,000 guests at the 70th anniversary dinner of
Chung Cheng High School last night.

He urged schools to help students retain their emotional bonds to Singapore, 'so
that they think of Singapore as the home which nurtured them, and want to
contribute in some ways to the country of their birth'.

To do this, he suggested that schools inculcate in the young certain values,
such as being appreciative of those who help them advance in life; and not
taking for granted the academic, sports and arts programmes they can enjoy here
and abroad, when many children elsewhere cannot.

Mr Goh hoped that the end result of such teaching would be students who have
strong links with their schools, close ties with their friends and a strong
sense of responsibility to their families - even if they choose to live, work
and even settle down overseas.

Switching to Mandarin, Mr Goh said: 'I hope Chung Cheng and our schools will
give two lasting bequests to our children. One is strong wings; the other, deep
roots.

'Like wild geese that migrate each fall, young Singaporeans should be equipped
with the courage, strength and adaptability to venture to distant lands in
search of opportunities. But when spring returns, they will come back, as this
is their home.'

Indeed, Mr Goh further argued in English, helping young Singaporeans stay rooted
here was the most important challenge facing the Education Ministry.

This is because the number of young Singaporeans working overseas will grow,
given that the education system is producing more and more students equipped
with the right skills to go global.

He noted: 'Our continued investments in schools have produced more bright
students with each passing year. In 1996, the number of local students with at
least 4As and a B3 in General Paper was 541. By 2008, this number has more than
doubled to 1,263.'

Even as he made it clear that he supported the push to equip the young to go
global, he said: 'But here we face a conundrum. When we prepare our students to
be entrepreneurial and world-ready, we are also growing wings on them.'

Mr Goh's remarks are a reminder of a point brought up in April last year by
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, when he also touched on the brain drain and how
it could adversely affect the country's survival.

Mr Lee noted that about one in four, or about 150 out of 600, top A-level
students yearly work overseas after their studies.

This trend presented a big challenge to find successors, particularly for
politics, PM Lee said then.

Speaking to The Sunday Times last night, the principal of Chung Cheng High
School (Main) Mr Lo Chee Lin said that one way the school keeps its students
rooted is by emphasising the need to remember one's roots.

This was a key tenet of the school's culture, he said.

It helped too that students could see the examples set by an active alumni, he
added.

These include people like top banker Wee Cho Yaw and Hougang MP Low Thia Khiang,
who were both present at the anniversary celebration last night

From: baldeagle
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 17:38:38 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Thurs, Jul 2 2009 8:38 am
Subject: Re: Wanted: Strong wings, deep roots... Wanted: A caring Singapore...to retain top brains

On Jul 1, 12:19 pm, b...@b.com (Polar Bear) wrote:

> Wanted: Strong wings, deep roots
> By Goh Chin Lian, Senior Political Correspondent
> More than one in five of the top students from the 1996-1999 A level graduating
> cohorts are not working in Singapore today.

It has been happening for more than two decades....top
brains are flying away...to lands of opportunity...to realise
their dreams.

Excellent examples of those with EDB...hundreds of top
brains are posted to work in the USA, Europe and China.
After completing their bonds, they are head-hunter to
work overseas...many never to return to their birth place.

Others, top graduates are given generous grants by
US and China universities..to do post-graduate research
in the USA and Beijing/Shanghai,.... They become scientists
working for the USA and China.

Why...is it because their will earn less in Singapore ..or
because of the things they consider more important in life ?

Even if the government pay Minister 10 times more money..it will
not retain these top brains.... For these people, they will not
sell their life for money.
They will find fulfilments in other more important areas. Singapore
is a little island with no future for them...what is the use of
millions!

From: "Zai Zai"
Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:14:03 GMT
Local: Wed, Jul 1 2009 1:14 pm
Subject: Re: Wanted: Strong wings, deep roots

Aiyah, all these wayang wayang one lar. I also got a degree what, from an
oversea school, when I tried applying to these so called govt boards for
work they did not reply to any of my application. You tell me, you want to
work in Singapore? Even if you want, they don't want to hire you lar. Let me
tell you this, they only hire kaki nang, then the kaki nang will hire their
friends and family members only. That is how things work in Singapore, don't
believe me try applying and see lar. They just want to lie to you suckers
again, so they can get more cheap laborers into Singapore. Singaporean don't
want to do this don't want to do that, so we get foreign talents to do it,
talented Singaporean don't want to come home, so we have to attract more
foreign talents to replace them. All wayang wayang excuses lar, this isn't
new so don't get conned easily by them, we Singaporean are suckers, too bad
they can't replace suckers cause no foreign talents want to become suckers
like us.