To late Dr Goh Keng Swee.

14.May.2010

One of Singapore's founding father, Dr. Goh Keng Swee passed away at the age of 92. When there is an ongoing discussion about the history or founding of Modern Singapore, most people will revolve around MM Lee. But most people have neglected the man behind the scene.

Perhaps I've forgotten about him myself too until lately, I started reading "Men In White" and I finally witness the accomplishments of this silent worker. I vaguely remember the social studies textbooks in secondary schools mentioning Dr. Goh as the architect of Singapore's economy. True enough, the luxurious and high standard of living that we get to enjoy must be credited to Dr. Goh!

He had a bird's eye view of Singapore's strategic advantages and disadvantages and he engineered our economy in different stages. Slowly, he transformed Singapore from entrepot trade to manufacturing-dependent and eventually now, knowledge-based driven. His footprints were left in the 3 most significant Ministries in Singapore i.e. he held the 3 largest portfolio as a Minister, mainly in Finance, Defence, and Education respectively.

Wherever he's been at, we've become world class.

World Class Central Banking System which can cushion us from external shocks and has helped us to survive major financial crises.

First Class Defence Force with the latest technology, military equipment, and weapons. We've got F16s Fighter planes! Once the most state-to-art technology that destroyed millions of countries like Egypt, Afghanistan, blah blah blah.

Par excellence education system that mould the future of our nation into holistic individuals and allow Singaporeans to challenge other Westerners in highly-paid jobs globally.

If not for him, would I be travelling around the world now?
If not for him, would you be lying on your couch watching television programmes in LED.LCD technology?
If not for him, would we be sleeping safely and soundly every night?
If not for him, would people ever know that Singapore is actually not part of China?
If not for him, would I have the opportunity to explore the world of Economics and see the beauty of the subject?
If not for him, would you have the ability to embrace whatever faith, religion, and likes of your own? (Without bread, you worship money and not anything else. Just look at the people from the poorer countries and you will know.)

If not for him, would there be Singapore?

Hale Dr. Goh! Hale the Economist! :))