Another veteran of Singaporean politics bid farewell today.
Khaw Boon Wan announced his retirement from office after 42 years of public service, just two weeks ahead of this year’s general election. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said today he has accepted the 67-year-old’s resignation.
Khaw had served as the city-state’s transport minister since 2015. Prior to that, he led the Health Ministry during the SARS epidemic in 2003 before becoming national development minister.
Lee paid tribute to Khaw online, noting that it was the latter who had urged him to get on social media.
“In fact, it was Boon Wan who suggested in 2012 that I venture into social media. But for him you might not even be reading this here on my FB Page!” Lee wrote online.
Khaw also wrote a farewell note on his page, including a photo of him appearing as if he was about to walk through the gantry at the Canberra train station. He also showed appreciation to residents in Sembawang, where he had been an MP since 2006.
“Ten years after my heart bypass, it’s time to say farewell and disembark at the next station, confident that the next crew will take #Singapore to newer height,” he said.
Another veteran politician, Goh Chok Tong, announced his retirement yesterday.
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