Govt to continue staff support for ex-PMs
Singapore's two former Prime Ministers, Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, will continue to receive staff support from the government, according to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Monday.
The support will enable both senior figureheads to carry out official work when called upon by the government, as well as their duties as senior advisors to the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and Monetary Association of Singapore (MAS) respectively.
87-year-old Mr Lee, widely recognised as modern Singapore's founding father, spent 31 years as the nation's first Prime Minister. Mr Goh, 70, succeeded him as PM and sat in office for 14 years.
Mr Lee stepped down as GIC chairman in May, and is now its senior advisor. Mr Goh, who was previously MAS chairman, is now its senior advisor as well.
In an unexpected move, both men stepped down from the government in May, just after the General Election (GE), to give Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong a fresh, clean slate to move the country forward given citizens' increasing unhappiness over government policies.
The elder Mr Lee and Mr Goh still remain as Members of Parliament.
The PMO highlighted the important roles Mr Lee and Mr Goh can still play in Singapore politics, especially in overseas relations.
It said, "Mr Lee and Mr Goh continue to make significant contributions to Singapore, especially internationally. They have strong personal relationships with many world leaders.
"Their views remain widely sought after by political and business leaders, prominent thinkers and the foreign media."
