Mr Goh Chok Tong, Emeritus Senior Minister
Business China Board Members，
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon and a warm welcome to the 5thBusiness China Distinguished Leaders (Closed-Door) Dialogue. I am very pleased to see many familiar faces here at Raffles hotel. I would also extend my warmest welcome to everyone online.
For those of us who remember, our first Distinguished Leaders’ Dialogue was held in January 2020. Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean shared his views on Singapore’s challenges and opportunities in a multi-polar world.
As wide-ranging and far-reaching as the discussions then were, little did we imagine a scenario where the world come to a grinding halt in the immediate months following. Even till today, a great part of the world is still alternating between start-stops, not knowing when or if-all all we could return to the pre-Covid days.
By comparison, we have done well in Singapore. Today, more than 81% of our population has completed their full vaccinations. Our hospital- and ICU bed utilization remain low and manageable. While number of infection cases are still rising, we have enough safeguards in the system to focus on those who yet to complete their full vaccinations. We have a robust healthcare system.
Building a system of strength and resilience takes year of planning, efforts and consistent investments. As Francis Fukuyama noted in the July/ August 2020 issue of Foreign Affairs: “The factors responsible for successful pandemic responses have been state capacity, social trust and leadership”.
Speaking of “state capacity, social trust and leadership”, we can’t find a better person than ESM Goh Chok Tong to speak on these subjects. As we all know too well, ESM was Singapore’s Second Prime Minister from November 1990 to August 2004. After stepping down as Singapore’s second Prime Minister, ESM Goh remained as Senior Minister and then later as Member of Parliament till June 2020, to help build a younger team and position Singapore for the future.
And yet unlike most other success stories, ESM’s entry into politics was described as “an improbable Prime Minister for an unlikely country” in the book “Tall Order”. In fact, by his own admission, ESM Goh said: “I did not choose politics, but I choose to serve my country”.
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India described ESM’s outstanding leadership this way: “Goh Chok Tong walked tall “in his own shoes” overcoming challenges and defeating difficulties in the paths of Singapore’s consolidation. His strengths and values reflect and reinforce those of Singapore”.
ESM was not only a cherished leader in our country, his influence and charisma as a global statesman have helped raise Singapore’s international influence. A red-dot we might be, but in international geo-politics Singapore’s views have always been taken seriously. I count it my great blessing and pleasure to work with and under the guidance of then Senior Minister Goh in my first term of political service between 2006 and 2011.
ESM Goh has many strengths. One of the great traits of ESM Goh is his ability to put anyone at ease. When he asked questions, I really felt he wanted me views. When he conversed, he really treated you as equal. In his trade-marked relaxed mannerism, he is both empowering and endearing. I remember after I stepped down as an office holder in 2015 but still an MP, I was found to my surprise that I was to be seated next to ESM Goh in the parliament chamber… So you see, ESM’s sense of humour also surprises you!
Yet, I learnt so much from ESM’s political astuteness and dedication to Singapore. As he said in Standing Tall: “I am proud to have served my country. I have completed my political marathon – 44 years as a Member of Parliament 14 years as Prime Minister – in my own shoes”.
Ladies and gentlemen, please join me to warmly welcome, the man who gave 44 years of life to building this small but great country, the leader who led Singapore from strength to strength in “his very own shoe”, ESM Goh Chok Tong, please.