Unlike Lee Senior, who had the luxury to choose the appropriate
time to step down, did Goh Chok Tong ever have a choice?
With age catching up on Lee junior, it would have been a clear
message to step aside and allow the son to take over the reins in
an orderly and 'gracious' fashion.
Goh Chok Tong did indeed preside over a more gracious society and
perhaps for the first time, people felt closer to the govt and
their ministers. How else can one explain the overwhelming mandate
for the ruling party during is 2nd elections?
My image of him is one of a gentleman who waved away the barbaric
and uncouth goading of one Chee Soon Juan during the elections. The
subsequent lawsuit against him was probably unnecessary; the image
of Chee was practically tarnished completely after that incident
and Goh's, uplifted.
Many will draw conclusions that Goh's recent retracted comments
about lifting the party whip at the last elections was sparked by
big brother demanding that he toe the line.
His subsequent potshots at Chiam See Tong (calling him old etc)
smacked of desperation after being arrowed by Lee junior as the
point man to win back Potong Pasir and Hougang.
