ESM Goh goes on record to say he does not receive a ministerial salary and has no intentions to do a Mahathir

September 19, 2018

Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong took to Facebook earlier today to set some misconceptions straight about his salary, and his intentions with regards to politics in future. His comments come after an article posted in Government website gov.sg/factually that aims to clarify public misconceptions on policies and matters of the nation.

https://www.facebook.com/MParader/posts/2394134187295900?__xts__[0]=68.ARCDHrryMGCERBQZ-_gEpUm7XtAIs2s3egzKNcaPmJrqlmqgbneN6egk7OCmM7yAXj64vEEXYs8AwivvlSGROsEo1QIusZghuzxkL9x8iHxfcmX8idjm13_4RQEowOxaxYOSmY0sdEUtvQdpUgK3C70dSud3qGQ7VgvOu5zBCcqmWBpVE3g91w&__tn__=-R In his post, ESM Goh said, “I shall use this opportunity to debunk public perception that I am paid a ministerial salary”. “ESM is merely a title with no pay”, he added. ESM Goh’s comments address the public uproar recently after the backlash he faced after allegedly slamming a suggestion to fund elderly pension by cutting million-dollar ministerial salaries. https://theindependent.sg.sg/esm-goh-faces-huge-backlash-after-saying-ministers-are-not-paid-enough/ The former prime minister also added that since he retired from Cabinet in 2011, he continues to work for Singapore and use his stature to help raise awareness and funds for different groups of disadvantaged Singaporeans. Referencing a quote by founding father of Singapore Lee Kwan Yew, he said, "Instead of threatening to get up from my grave when things go wrong, I prefer to contribute while still alive but without getting in the way of the younger leaders”. ESM Goh ended his post addressing one of the biggest rumours of them all. “Moreover, I have no plans to do a Mahathir!” he said. Many Singaporeans called for ESM Goh to ‘do a Mahathir’ after Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad made a comeback in May when he led the Pakatan Harapan coalition to victory at the general election. Netizens felt that during his tenure ESM Goh had made promises which he did not keep. Others also felt that ESM Goh took a jibe at the late Mr Lee Kwan Yew by referencing his words.