Q: Who do I think contributed more to Singapore?

Ans: Although both of them were great founding fathers, one stood out. In my opinion, I think Dr Goh Keng Swee contributed more to Singapore's progress. As Finance Minister, he made Singapore's economy stabilize. A think the economy of a country is the most important in laying the country's foundation. People think he was too thrifty during those times because he cut civil servants salaries and implemented strict laws. But I think in the end, it paid off and it was a good move.

He also developed Jurong, which was then just a swamp. He took the risk of trying to develop it and it paid off, due to his determination. Look at Jurong in present times! It is so well built up and urbanised with many housing estates and factories. This is all thanks to his hard work.

As the defense minister, he introduced National Service. I think he was a responsible man as he wanted to make Singapore a safer place. Even today, Security island wide is quite tight, and the people feel secure. I think we should not complain during our service at N.S as we should be more like him and give our all for the country.

As the education minister, he introduced things like streaming to improve the education here. In the past, very little people had degrees and diplomas but now, the number has increased tremendously. Again, without him, our education system is one of the best in the world and we should not complain about studying because we may not get such an opportunity other parts of the world.

He also ordered the construction of Leisure areas like the Zoo and Bird Park and founded the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Our tourism industry may not be as successful without him.

I think the late Dr Goh was a good politician as he attended to the needs of the people and wanted Singapore to be a better place. I have a lot of respect for him. Singapore's progress is indebted to him

Summary of key contributions

• S Rajaratnam
• Co-founded PAP
• Supported Multi-racialism
• Helped Singapore gain access to the UN
• Helped Establish ASEAN
• Wrote the National Pledge
• Created jobs and labor laws so that the unemployment rate was low
• Dr Goh Keng Swee
• Laid a strong foundation for Singapore's economy
• Developed Jurong Estate
• Introduced National Service
• Supported the construction of leisure spots like the birdpark
• Founded the Singapore Symphony Orchestra
• Introduced Streaming in Schools

Goh Keng Swee: Contributions and Achievements

Mr Goh was appointed vice chairman of the PAP Central committee. He joined Lee Kwan Yew's first government as minister of Finance. That year, the budget forecast was really low. He introduced cutting civil servants salaries and other harsh measures. Foreign Companies and firms invested in Singapore. He also developed Jurong estate which was then just a swamp by giving incentives to those who located to there. He was very determined. The risk he took was a good step and today, Jurong is populated with many estates and industrial plants.He believed that people shouldn't avoid mistakes by doing nothing.

Mr Goh supported Lee Kwan Yew in merging with Malaya as he felt it would benefit Singapore's economy. In the 1965 though, Singapore split from Malaysia and gained independence. When they did, Mr Goh was appointed as the first defense minister. He was a responsible person and wanted Singapore to be a safer place. Thus he strengthened defense and security by introducing National Service to Singapore. Ever since, Able bodied young adults will have to go through training for 1 and a half years to prepare them for defending Singapore. He also worked on a project to improve Singapore's defense technology.

He also played a key role in improving Singaporean's cultural and recreational lives. He worked on the establishment of wildlife parks like the Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park and Underwater world. All of these boosted the tourism industry. He also established the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the first of its kind here. Besides that, he also supported the construction of performance venues like theaters for Chinese Orchestras. He even introduced the sport- rugby to schools.

After being the Deputy Prime Minister for a few years, he moved in to the education Sector as the Minister for education. He greatly influenced the education here. He wanted to educate people from different races to learn about different religions. He introduced 'streaming' to split the students according to their learning pace and abilities.

Dr Goh recently has passed away. People from all over the island attended his wake to pay their final respects. to him. Schools have conducted lessons on his contributions to Singapore. Newspapers have been also publishing special editions on his legacy.

I believe Doctor Goh played a key role in making Singapore a 1st world country from a 3rd. Without him, Singapore's Economy may not be so stable. Places like Jurong may not be as urbanized and industrialized as it is today. We may also not have such great places for leisure like the zoo or bird park. We wouldn't be able to appreciate the arts too. Singapore may not be such a secure place if not for him as he was the one who introduced National Service. The education system here is seen as one of the best in the world thanks to him. He really was a determined visionary who contributed a lot to Singapore.

Goh Keng Swee: Background

Goh Keng Swee was born in Malacca in the straits settlements into a Peranakan family. His father managed a rubber plantation, while his mother had relatives who were Malaysian politicians. When he was 2, the family moved to Singapore. He studied in prestigious schools such as ACS and Raffles College. He graduated there and had attained a diploma in Arts and a Distinction in economics. His first job was a Tax collector but surprisingly, according to his superiors, he was almost fired as he wasnt very good at it. At the start of World War 2, he joined the volunteer corps. When Singapore fell to the Japanese, he went back to his normal job. He married a colleague of his and had 1 son.

After the war, he had gotten a scholarship and went to study Economics in London. There he met future politicians wanting independence from the British such as Lee Kwan Yew. He graduated in 1951 and returned to Singapore. He worked in the department of social welfare. A few years later, he attained a P.h.d in Economics and worked for PAP full time.

S. Rajaratnam: Contributions and Achievements

A draft of the pledge-

In 1954, S. Rajaratnam Co-founded the PAP(Peoples Action Party) together with Lee Kwan Yew and Goh Keng Swee.Since 1959, PAP has always been the governing body, even up to today. He was popular and gained a lot of support. He wanted Singapore to be a multiracial city, with people of different races, religions and languages living in harmony.together. He also wanted Singapore to be a Global city. Like what it is now.

He did many things in parliament- He was Minister for culture(1959), Minister for Foreign Affairs (1965-1980), Minister for Labour (1968-1971), and Second Deputy Prime Minister (1980-1985).

When Singapore gained independence in 1965,he was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs. He helped Singapore to be part of the United nations. He established diplomacy with other countries too. He was one of the founding fathers of ASEAN, as he wanted to have good relationships with neighboring countries.

S. Rajaratnam is most renowned for writing the National Pledge. It was written two years after the race riots."One united people, regardless of race, language or religion." Was what he wrote.

In his years as labor minister, he implemented harsh laws to restore the economy. Foreign firms began to invest in Singapore . There was good healthcare, pensions, housing and a very low unemployment rate.

S. Rajaratnam passed away in 2006 but his legacy will always be remembered. Books have been written on him and in Raffles Institution, theres a 7 storey block named after him

S. Rajaratnam played a key role in the history of singapore as he believed in a democratic, multiracial society. He also changed the mindset of many Singaporeans in the area of labor. Without him, Singaporeans might not be as acceptive of other races. We might not have such strong ties with other nations or such a good economy. And of course, the pledge we recite every day. I think we should ponder and think every time we recite it and not just unmeaningfully say it because it has a strong meaning and representation of the country

S. Rajaratnam: Background

S. Rajaratnam's parents were both from Sri Lankan Tamil Descent. He himself was born in Sri Lanka. After his birth, his parents brought him back to Malaya(Malaysia) and raised him in Seremban and Selangor. He studied in a few Convent schools in Kuala Lumpur, Before studying in Raffles Institution here.

In 1937, he went to Kings College London to pursue a law degree. However, due to World War 2, he was unable to receive funding from his family to pay for school fees. Thus, he turned to Journalism to earn a living there. He met his to-be wife Piroska Feher, a Hungarian teacher while in London.

In 1948, he returned to Singapore and in 1954 he joined the Straits Times. He was bold in his writing and often wrote about the way the British governed Singapore. His writing drew attention from the government, that he was called for questioning by them.