Goh looks to handover of power

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, NOV. 23. The Singapore Prime Minister, Mr. Goh Chok Tong, said today that a new team would be ready to take over the ``leadership baton'' in two or three years time.

Speaking at a function to swear in a new Cabinet, Mr. Goh said he had said before the recent elections that he was fighting as Prime Minister for the last time.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, son of the Senior Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, is tipped to be Mr. Goh's successor. In the new Cabinet, Mr. Lee has been given the Finance portfolio.

In his speech, Mr. Goh said the People's Action Party (PAP) had retired 23 Members of Parliament and 25 new MPs had come into Parliament. Seven of them have been made Ministers.

``As they (the new Ministers) prove themselves, they will assume greater responsibilities and play a bigger leadership role....'' he said.

The Prime Minister said the recent elections had taken place in the backdrop of an economic recession and the September 11 terrorist attacks.

``When I took over as Prime Minister in November 1990, I had been prepared for the job. My colleagues then had also been carefully chosen, nurtured and tested. I took over a strong and united team, a sound economy, and a cohesive and supportive people. That enabled Singapore to continue to progress without a hitch,'' he stated.

``In two or three years' time, our economic growth should have resumed. By then, the new crew should be ready to take over the leadership baton. A smooth handover is the goal I am working towards,'' Mr. Goh added.

In his address, the Singapore President, Mr. S. R. Nathan, said the country was ``facing its most serious challenge since independence in 1965 and the withdrawal of British forces in 1968. Our external environment is turbulent. Southeast Asian countries will take much time to overcome their political and economic problems....Singapore needs to tide over the economic downturn, and restructure our economy. We must consolidate our social cohesion, and deepen our racial and religious harmony....'' Mr. Nathan said.

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Section  : International
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