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Goh Chok Tong

Goh Chok Tong (b. 20 May 1941, Singapore - ) Singapore's second Prime Minister from 28 November 1990 until 12 August 2004. Upon his resignation as Prime Minister, he continues to serve the country as Senior Minister. He was a bureaucrat and entrepreneur before playing an active role in the People's Action Party from 1979 as Secretary-General. A Member of Parliament for Marine Parade constituency since 1976 and now Marine Parade GRC.

Early Life
Senior Minister Goh grew up in a pre-war house in Pasir Panjang and later a HDB flat in Queenstown. The eldest of 5 children, his father passed away when Goh was nine and his mother continued in the teaching profession as a Chinese teacher. Goh and his siblings were raised by a grandmother, uncle and aunt. His early education was in Pasir Panjang Primary School and Raffles Institution (RI). Various positions he held in school included being a prefect, editor of the school magazine, Boy Scout troop leader and swimming team captain. In his capacity as chairman of the Historical Society, he reportedly invited Chief Minister David Marshall and the then opposition leader, Lee Kuan Yew, to address students. During his university tenure, he contributed to the Economics Society.

He married fellow RI schoolmate, Tan Choo Leng, who is currently a lawyer in Lee and Lee. They have twins - son, Jin Hian, in the medical profession and daughter, Jin Theng, a graduate in literature.

On 10 August 2004, Prime Minister Goh submitted his resignation to President S. R. Nathan at the Istana after a 14-year successful leadership of Singapore.

Education
1964 : B.A. (First Class Honours) in Economics, University of Singapore.
1966 : Master of Arts, (Development Economics), Williams College, Massachusetts, USA.
1995 : Honorary Doctorate, Williams College, Massachusetts, USA.

Career
1964 - 1969 : Administrative Officer, Economic Planning Unit, Singapore Civil Service.
1969 : Planning and Project Manager, Neptune Oriental Lines.
1970 - 1973 : Financial Director, Neptune Oriental Lines.
1973 - 1977 : Managing Director, Neptune Oriental Lines.
1976 : Member of Parliament for Marine Parade constituency.
1977 - 1979 : Senior Minister of State for Finance.
1979 - 1981 : Minister for Trade and Industry.
1981 - 1982 : Minister for Health and Second Minister for Defence.
1982 - 1984 : Minister for Defence and Second Minister for Health.
1985 : First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence.
1990 - 12 Aug 2004 : Prime Minister.
12 Aug 2004 - : Senior Minister, Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.



Author
Michael Mukunthan



References
ASEAN who's who (Vol. 1). (1992). Kuala Lumpur: Kasuya.
(Call no.: RSING 920.059 AWW)

People's Action Party. (1999). For people through action by party - People's Action Party 1954-1999 : 45th Anniversary
Publisher. Singapore : People's Action Party.
(Call no.: R SING 324.25957 FOR)

Singapore Chronicles: A special commemorative history of Singapore (pp. 56-61). (1995). Hong Kong: Illustrated Magazine.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 SIN)

Chua, M. H. (2004, August 11). Mr Lee names his Cabinet. The Straits Times.

The New Prime Minister. (1990, November 28). The Straits Times, pp. 1, 20.

Straits Times Special. (1990, November 28). The Straits Times, pp. 1-4.

Teo, L. (2004, August 12). PM Goh chairs last Cabinet meeting. The Straits Times.



The information in this article is valid as at 2004 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Personalities>>Biographies>>Political Leaders
Prime ministers--Singapore
Law and government>>Political process>>Leadership
Law and government>>Public administration>>Cabinet (Government Councils)



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