Sunday, May 22, 2011

Remember and compare - Goh Keng Swee

I received this message that was purported to be sent by Mrs. Goh Keng Swee.  I knew of Dr. Goh's circumstances after his retirement and stroke and can confirm personally that these facts are true. Tan Kin Lian.


What never? Goh Keng Swee after he completely retired from public service, had no driver but was always driven around by his wife. Whenever he went to SGH for medical treatment, his wife and he were often denied a reserved parking lot and was told that the lots were for VIP only.  Once when he was warded, his wife had to be given a lecture by a sister on the proper use of a syringe when she asked the staff nurse to use a $1.25 syringe for cleaning
him. Whenever he was warded in SGH, his wife was with him throughout his stay, very often
 acting like his nurse. All this while she slept on a sofa/recliner chair in the room at night. 
 

When a Singapore GLC (set up by GKS) learnt that he was living on a net monthly income of S$8500/- per month, offered a cheque for S$500K to his wife under the guise of a lump sum loyalty payment for a book they wrote on him, his wife instantly cancelled the cheque and wrote to the CEO  to thank him for his kind gesture, and explained that she couldn't receive the cheque because what her husband had done for the company was not for money, not for power, not for glory, or even to be honoured, but for Singapore and Singaporeans. 
 
Maybe Goh Keng Swee's official status cannot be compared to any Head of State, but his contributions to his country are just as sincere and honest as that of any honest and caring political leader.