MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

[Red_Bean_Bun]

The press release -

"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."

 

[jawzsg]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

The press release -

"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."

Took them only one week after GE to decide... err.... collectively for both of them...????

 

[rodders]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

Yeah....better quit while you're sill ahead.

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

Took them only one week after GE to decide... err.... collectively for both of them...????

Rather unexpected - sudden. Could be unplanned.

 

[pengful]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

They know they can't influence much so save face more important. Anyway good news for singaporeans, saves us $30 mil over 5 yrs!

 

[C3P0]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

I think it's planned for, for a smooth transition....

 

[jawzsg]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

Rather unexpected - sudden. Could be unplanned.

They are among the more distinguished fore runner and known to be thinking far ahead. It's just the subjects of their thoughts are rather different of late.... I have done enough of voluntary stuff to be eligible in sitting on the same dinner table with this 2 gentleman among some others on separate occassions. ..I am internally struggling very hard to still hold them in high respect...

 

[C3P0]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong have today announced their decision to step down from the Cabinet.



While the National Solidarity Party disagrees with many of the policy directions taken under their respective administrations, we nevertheless want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to their decades of extraordinary service to the country. Despite our disagreements over their policies, we have no doubt that they have always been motivated by what best serves the Republic.



MM Lee is the architect of modern Singapore having skillfully guided the country through its turbulent post-independence years and then transforming it into a First World city within one generation. Under SM Goh’s leadership, not only did Singapore successfully navigate several crises such as the Asian Financial Crisis and the SARS outbreak, but it also emerged from these stronger.



But while we have achieved tremendous prosperity under their leadership, a sense of nationhood – that every Singaporean has a stake in the country and a say in how it is run, has been elusive. We welcome their decision to encourage new, younger voices in their leadership structure. But this renewal must not be limited to the People’s Action Party; it must extend to our political culture with an inclusion of perspectives from outside the Party.



Nation building is not a top-down process. It must be a joint project between the people of Singapore and those whom they elect as their representatives in government. Every generation must be able to decide its present course without fear of its turbulent past. In this regard, we feel that the country is best served by seeing only one Prime Minister at a time. This is why the NSP welcomes the decision of MM Lee and SM Goh to retire from the Cabinet.



In the last General Election, the people of Singapore have demonstrated that they are ready to stand up and take ownership of their country. For now, they have chosen to keep their faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and have given him a fresh mandate to govern over the next five years.



We hope that he will reciprocate this trust with a more open and accountable approach to government.



We hope that his government will tackle the problems of stagnant wages, skyrocketing costs of living, housing that is fast becoming unaffordable to average Singaporeans and infrastructure that is becoming strained due to overpopulation.



We hope that Prime Minister Lee will engage alternative voices in a constructive debate so that we may all seek solutions to our common problems.



Finally, we want to once again join all Singaporeans in thanking MM Lee and SM Goh for their service and wish them a happy retirement.



Sincerely,

The National Solidarity Party

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

They are among the more distinguished fore runner and known to be thinking far ahead. It's just the subjects of their thoughts are rather different of late.... I have done enough of voluntary stuff to be eligible in sitting on the same dinner table with this 2 gentleman among some others on separate occassions. ..I am internally struggling very hard to still hold them in high respect...

The key thing is the PM remains silent about it.......I thought protocol wise it should be the PM to announce this. and you seem right on their subject of thoughts ......

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

At least the PAP's house is in order - WP started to crack even before it began......NSP didn't win much to show for anything.

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong have today announced their decision to step down from the Cabinet.



While the National Solidarity Party disagrees with many of the policy directions taken under their respective administrations, we nevertheless want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to their decades of extraordinary service to the country. Despite our disagreements over their policies, we have no doubt that they have always been motivated by what best serves the Republic.



MM Lee is the architect of modern Singapore having skillfully guided the country through its turbulent post-independence years and then transforming it into a First World city within one generation. Under SM Goh’s leadership, not only did Singapore successfully navigate several crises such as the Asian Financial Crisis and the SARS outbreak, but it also emerged from these stronger.



But while we have achieved tremendous prosperity under their leadership, a sense of nationhood – that every Singaporean has a stake in the country and a say in how it is run, has been elusive. We welcome their decision to encourage new, younger voices in their leadership structure. But this renewal must not be limited to the People’s Action Party; it must extend to our political culture with an inclusion of perspectives from outside the Party.



Nation building is not a top-down process. It must be a joint project between the people of Singapore and those whom they elect as their representatives in government. Every generation must be able to decide its present course without fear of its turbulent past. In this regard, we feel that the country is best served by seeing only one Prime Minister at a time. This is why the NSP welcomes the decision of MM Lee and SM Goh to retire from the Cabinet.



In the last General Election, the people of Singapore have demonstrated that they are ready to stand up and take ownership of their country. For now, they have chosen to keep their faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and have given him a fresh mandate to govern over the next five years.



We hope that he will reciprocate this trust with a more open and accountable approach to government.



We hope that his government will tackle the problems of stagnant wages, skyrocketing costs of living, housing that is fast becoming unaffordable to average Singaporeans and infrastructure that is becoming strained due to overpopulation.



We hope that Prime Minister Lee will engage alternative voices in a constructive debate so that we may all seek solutions to our common problems.



Finally, we want to once again join all Singaporeans in thanking MM Lee and SM Goh for their service and wish them a happy retirement.



Sincerely,

The National Solidarity Party

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

I think it's planned for, for a smooth transition....

Smooth transitions comes with expectations set earlier. There were none in this case......

 

[Oilman]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

Stepping down to repent huh... can't imagine which clowns will be named as their replacements :S

Now, who's gonna mentor Tin Pei Ling??

 

[hitmee]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

a wise man must know when is the best time to step back.........(20 years too late)

 

[rodders]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

They are among the more distinguished fore runner and known to be thinking far ahead. It's just the subjects of their thoughts are rather different of late.... I have done enough of voluntary stuff to be eligible in sitting on the same dinner table with this 2 gentleman among some others on separate occassions. ..I am internally struggling very hard to still hold them in high respect...

Didn't know you polished their apples.

 

[jawzsg]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

Didn't know you polished their apples.

:roll: I was young, full of ideal of a better tomorrow, did my bits in grass root activities, crime prevention, charity work and grew a new NSA in the management committee >10 hrs till I decide to step down....

I have much to REPENT !!!!

 

[Mockngbrd]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

10hrs do so much Liao

 

[rodders]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

:roll: I was young, full of ideal of a better tomorrow, did my bits in grass root activities, crime prevention, charity work and grew a new NSA in the management committee >10 hrs till I decide to step down....

I have much to REPENT !!!!

I absolve you from all your sins. Go my son. You are forgiven.:nehnehhh:

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

I absolve you from all your sins. Go my son. You are forgiven.:nehnehhh:

That's hilarious .............

 

[totoseow]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

party split?

 

[pengful]

Re: MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong to step down from Cabinet

party split?

I was thinking the same.

Unusual... MM and SM issued statement about stepping down from Cabinet which is splashed all over the papers and news. PM said he hasn't accepted. Can he say no after the whole world is made aware?

Sounds like some serious disagreement going on man.