Ray Newspaper Article thing: SM Goh and MM Lee retiring

Exit of MM Lee and SM Goh, Pages A1, A6 and A7


Recently, the two ministers' exiting of the cabinet has been a hot topic lately. Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew had decided that they are leaving the cabinet, and not wanting to work as ministers anymore.

I feel neutral(happy) to this matter. The exiting of the cabinet shows that the People's Action Party(PAP) is losing power to Singapore, as the ministers needed to quit their jobs as ministers and devote all of their time as MPs at their constituencies. This is because on the May 7 General Election, the PAP's vote share went to 60.1%, from 70-80% in the last 20 years. Also, having lost Aljunied GRC by the Worker's Party, the PAP had decided to devote all their time to save their land that will slowly be taken away by the opposition by the next 10 years.

I feel that we should not pity Ex-SM Goh and Ex- MM Lee for quitting. In fact, we should be the ones pitying ourselves. Singaporeans worked so hard trying to keep up with the growth of the economy and make money, pay GST, taxes, fines, ERPs, etc. How about them? They are so filthy rich, earning millions by a year of their jobs, just by governing their land, and literally drinking coffee and shaking their legs while on the job. MM Lee and SM Goh can choose not to work anymore, and still have enough money to live until the rest on their lives.

However, the burning question is why now, and not 5 years later, said SPP secretary-general Chaim See Tong. Opposition leaders says that there should be a by-election for the SM and MM positions. They feel that it is good that they step down, well basically because they save up to S$15 million in government salaries.