This is a picture of no ordinary man. This is the man who helped forge Singapore into a great success. And yet he remain nondescript till the end. After retiring from the cabinet in 1984, he slipped into obscurity and nothing was heard from him in official circles. Forgotten is the apt descriptory. If there was ever a biography of this man, it should be named the Unknown Story.
I am poised to describe Dr Goh as an engima. Never will we be able to get a maelstro who is able to juggle 3 heavy weight portfolios namely Defence, Finance and Education and be able to turn in a stellar performance consistently. If Lee shone as an outstanding politician then Dr Goh must have been the exemplary technocrat.
For all of his greatness, i knew little of this man. He had left the government before i was born and yet i benefited immensely from his lasting legacy although for the record, this was unbeknownst to the masses as well except for the older generation. For all of the vocally uncouth and bloated swagger i see from the current crop of newly minted politicians in Singapore, Dr Goh’s subtle style comes across as being refreshing. I wouldn’t know what Singapore would be like if this man hadn’t decided to stake his bet on a swampy and dingy island back in the 1960s.
I earnestly offer my thanks and gratitude. We Singaporeans are indebted to you and we owe you our success.
Rest in peace.
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