SDP Tan Jee Say rebutted against SM Goh "personal attack" - 01May2011

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for Holland-Bukit Timah, Mr Tan Jee Say, said he is saddened by remarks made by his former boss, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, about him.

At a People's Action Party (PAP) rally for the Marine Parade GRC on Saturday night, Mr Goh pointed out that Mr Tan appeared to have 'benefited' from his previous appointment, and he wanted to make known why Mr Tan left the civil service.

In response, Mr Tan, who served under Mr Goh as Principal Private Secretary from 1985 to 1990, said he had already intended to leave the civil service at the end of his government bond, but was persuaded to stay on in his position.

Mr Tan told Channel NewsAsia during a Sunday morning walkabout at Empress Road market that it was never his mission in life to remain in public service and after five years, he resigned with Mr Goh's blessing.

Mr Tan recalled: "I said, okay, I can help you. But for how long? He said, three to five years. I said, well Mr Goh, you know my intention is not to stay in the civil service. If it is three to five years, if at the end of it, I want to go, will you let me go? He said, yes.

"I have given five of my best years in my career to Mr Goh, and I did not expect such comments from him. I wish he had not gone down to the personal level. I met a young lady at this market, and she said after reading this morning's report on his personal attack on me, she is more determined to vote for me."

He added that he was surprised as Mr Goh had earlier stated he would not comment on any candidate outside of Marine Parade GRC.

Mr Tan is contesting in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC on the SDP ticket.

His economic proposals have also drawn some attention. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has criticised Mr Tan's proposal to shift the Singapore economy away from manufacturing and said he was not 'qualified' to speak on manufacturing.

Mr Tan pointed to his background in economics and policymaking experience accumulated over six years at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

"Not only am I qualified to talk about the economy, but my views have been endorsed by somebody who has presided over the transformation of a major first world economy, from a manufacturing economy to a knowledge-based economy. How more qualified can anybody be?"

Mr Tan was referring to Lord Butler, former Cabinet Secretary to three British Prime Ministers - Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair.

Mr Tan said inefficient factories would be phased out under his plan, and added that this process was already taking place in Singapore.

He believes a services and knowledge economy will attract more Singaporeans to take up jobs.

"We should give the jobs to what the people want, and what they are trained and educated for, and they're happy to work in. Not force them into factories that they are not happy to work in."

Under his plan, S$10 billion will be given over five years to nurture young entrepreneurs, notably in the creative industries.

"Most of them will fail, but at least we give them a chance to be leaders of the industries of the future. We may have a future Facebook, future Google, future Baidu from Singapore," he said.

He also disagreed that the SDP's S$60 billion economic proposal amounted to a raid on reserves, saying it is an investment in Singapore's future.

Other areas for investment include education, healthcare and community support.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• 154thmedia
• Singapore
• General
• Election
• GE2011
• GE
• 2011
• Democratic
• Party
• Senior
• Minister
• Goh
• Chok
• Tong

[burtmurdoch]

Tan Jee Say for president!!!

[blurredlikesotong]

Mr Tan, don't be sad over remark made by SM Goh. It's unfair for SM to say such unkind comment. Mr Tan, go, go, go. We all love you. Fight all the way for democracy. You are a man of high calibre, higher than some of extg ministers. Best of luck for SDP......

[mercury1980]

Mr Tan don't be afraid of SM Goh. You are still the best.

[crazycheerocky]

why so sensitive , how to be a PRESIDENT? A president is not just to HI FIVE!, QUALITY, INTEGRITY and NOT CONFRONTATIONAL just like the chee soon chuan gang