his last words:
SINGAPORE : After 14 years, Mr Goh Chok Tong delivered his last
National Day message on Sunday.
Looking back at his time as Prime Minister, Mr Goh said
Singaporeans had enjoyed seven years of bountiful harvests,
followed by seven lean years - the most recent marked by terrorism,
SARS and recession.
But things are looking up again, Singapore's economy expanded by 10
percent in the first half of the year, and full-year growth is
expected to be between 8 and 9 percent.
Mr Goh, who steps down on Thursday, said now was a good time to
hand over the controls to a new captain.
"Many of you have thanked me for taking care of Singapore. Tonight
I want to thank you," he said.
Recalling the battle against SARS, which claimed the lives of 33
people, Mr Goh said it was his saddest moment in government.
But the way Singaporeans responded to this and other crises have
strengthened his confidence in the future.
Mr Goh said: "We went through fire together; the steel in us
strengthened. This is what I am proudest of, my fellow
Singaporeans, this fighting spirit, the character of our people,
our strong bond and social cohesion."
But in a few days the responsibility of flying Singapore higher and
further will be passed to the next generation of leaders.
For the new team, Mr Goh had some insights to share.
Mr Goh said: "Material wealth alone is not enough to root
Singaporeans to Singapore...I believe that Singaporeans will love
their country more when they feel valued and have the opportunity
to shape its future."
A second critical factor is trust - not just between the people and
the government - but also among the different communities.
This was tested to the limit after the Jemaah Islamiyah
arrests.
Mr Goh said: "I remember our first dialogue session at Kallang
Theatre with community and religious leaders. The anxiety was
palpable...I was relieved when speaker after speaker - Muslim and
non-Muslim alike - rose to support the Government's actions."
The final deciding factor is the quality of Singapore's
leadership.
Mr Goh said: "At my first National Day Rally, my friends feared
that I might fall flat on live television. After I finished my
speech, I could hear the collective sigh of relief.
"The audience clapped! And I saw Senior Minister Lee beaming away.
He was immensely relieved...Had I failed, I would have jeopardised
the process of political self-renewal."
Apart from such planned transition, what distinguishes Singapore
says Mr Goh, is its "politics of consensus and convergence".
But he warned that his successor Mr Lee Hsien Loong and his team
will face different and tougher challenges.
The world is more uncertain...the global economy more
competitive.
Singapore society is also changing...there are fewer babies and
more old people...and the young have rising expectations.
Mr Goh said: "I am confident about Hsien Loong and his team. They
are ready to take our nation to a new level."
But Mr Goh, who will stay on in Cabinet, said the new team could
not do it on their own - they need the full support of all
Singaporeans.
Mr Goh said: "My fellow Singaporeans, serving you has been the
highest honour of my life. I wish you a very happy National
Day."
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honest and sincere and simple. 
