Minister Lui Tuck Yew has announced that he won’t continue. Several people spoke with him, including myself, to try and get him to change his mind.
But his mind was made up.
People like Tuck Yew don’t come along every day. Person of complete integrity and honesty – and spent his life serving the country. By the time he became a Minister, he was hugely experienced. And he brought that experience to his portfolio. Was subjected to daily incessant attacks but carried on doing his duty, calmly, and with equanimity. Could not have been easy for him and his family to be subjected to such incessant and frequently unfair attacks. Many in his position will naturally ask why should they subject themselves to this.
He had an excellent engineering mind and understood the issues in transport. Oversaw the announcements of so many major initiatives, including the building of expressways, new MRT lines, bus service expansions etc. And you knew that with Tuck Yew in charge, the billions the Ministry were spending would be disbursed honestly .He could have served in any Ministry with distinction. Was in Foreign Affairs with me. And was a great colleague.
Another good man gone. Another loss to the system.
Finding people to fill positions is not difficult. But finding good men like Tuck Yew is always more challenging.
Source: KÂ Shanmugam Sc
