Goh Meng Seng wants daughter to develop critical thinking while studying at UK university

People’s Power Party’s secretary general Goh Meng Seng is sending her daughter to a top university in the UK so that she will be able to develop her true potential and a thought process that is robust and analytical.

In a Facebook posting, Goh said that some of his friends doubted his decision to spend a great amount of money on his daughter’s studies, and it would have been fine for her to stay in Singapore which would have been cheaper.

But the PPP’s chief feels that it’s not about the money and more about realising one’s true capability and that the university in the UK is the right place for his daughter.

“Tertiary education is about opening up one’s mind with an important focus on critical thinking. People who are critical in thinking are always regarded as uncomfortable outliers while those who are conformists and hard working will always be rewarded highly,” said Goh

“I want Shirin to be True Talent who is not just intelligent but well trained in Critical Thinking.”

While the posting has attracted lots of supportive comments, one netizen questioned Goh’s decision to enrol his daughter in a European country instead of one in East Asia.

“I’m surprised at your decision as you are an ardent supporter of the China Communist Party (CCP) and anti-West. So how is it you are not sending your daughter to China but to the UK instead?” commented Andrew Fann.

“…with due respect, this is exactly what I meant by the lack of critical thinking,” replied Goh, who contested in the MacPherson SMC against Tin Pei Ling at the 2020 Singapore General Election.

“Most people look at things in black and white, with me or against me, pro-China or pro-Western but they don’t understand there is actually a big patch of grey in between.”

“Most people thought only authoritarian governments like CCP, Russia or even SG PAP have propaganda, but unknowingly, they are subjected to lots of propaganda from Western Media as well.”