“With each passing year, each step becomes more difficult.” – 78-year-old ESM Goh’s candid admission

Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong indicated that he can feel his age more with each passing year, in a recent Facebook post.

In a post published last week, he published a photo of himself climbing a set of stone steps and wrote: “With each passing year, each step becomes more difficult. But I count my blessings that I am still mobile and healthy.”

A member of the People’s Action Party (PAP), Mr Goh became Singapore’s second Prime Minister on 28 November 1990, succeeding founding PM Lee Kuan Yew. He served in the role until 12 August 2004, when he stepped down and was succeeded by Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Kuan Yew’s eldest son.

Mr Goh subsequently served as Senior Minister until May 2011, and as Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Today, he holds the honorary title of “Emeritus Senior Minister” but does not receive a ministerial salary, despite the title.

ESM Goh continues to serve as a Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC) but there is speculation that he may be lifted out of the Marine Parade GRC team in the next election.

While ESM Goh has maintained that he is too busy to retire, the Chinese daily reported, earlier this year: “There have been rumors that the 78-year-old Goh Chok Tong may have to retreat and not participate in the general election.”

The publication added that it is unclear whether ESM Goh will lead Marine Parade GRC in the next election or whether he will be lifted out of the constituency altogether. It reported: “What will be a matter of some curiosity is whether in the coming general election, will Goh still hold the base camp of the Marine Parade?”

Interestingly, rumours that Mr Goh will be phased out in the next election are circulating in spite of the fact that Mr Goh’s predecessor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, remained an MP until his death at the age of 91.-/TISG