With the General Election (GE) around the corner, the Prime Minister’s Office unexpectedly announced today (Aug 11) that Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew will step down from politics and not stand in the coming elections.
In a letter dated today, Mr Lui wrote to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to confirm his decision, which he said was taken “with deep regret”, not to stand for re-election in the coming GE — having broached the subject with Mr Lee “early this year”.
In his reply to Mr Lui, Mr Lee praised Mr Lui’s work as Transport Minister and said he accepted the decision “reluctantly”. He added that he was disappointed that he failed to change Mr Lui’s mind and persuade him to stay on. “My senior colleagues share my view that you have more to contribute, both in transport and in other areas in government. We discussed the matter with you several times, but could not persuade you to continue,” he said. “So I have no choice but to accept your decision not to stand for election again.”
Mr Lee pointed out that Mr Lui has “done very good work” helming the transport portfolio. “You put your heart and soul into the task. As a result, we made significant progress over the last four years”, he said.
Mr Lee said Mr Lui has “contributed crucially to this progress”, citing his role in setting policies, implementing major projects and supervising the public transport network’s operations. Mr Lui has put in place many improvements whose benefits can be seen only in the coming years, Mr Lee noted. “The job is not yet complete, as we are reminded from time to time when train services break down. But despite these incidents, I am confident that we are heading in the right direction, to get the public transport system that Singaporeans deserve,” the Prime Minister said.
In his letter, Mr Lui acknowledged that Mr Lee and several senior members of the Cabinet tried hard to persuade him to change his mind.
Mr Lui said: “You reminded me that the responsibility of Government was a collective one, and no minister carried difficult problems like public transport alone. I deeply appreciate the reassurance and support. But having thought the matter over carefully, I have decided that I should stand by my original decision.”
He noted that Mr Lee had conveyed the intention to re-appoint him as a Cabinet Minister if he was re-elected. But the GE “also provides an opportunity for me to step back from politics without causing any major disruption to Government at the end of its term”, Mr Lui said.
‘I HAVE PUT MY UTMOST INTO FULFILLING MY RESPONSIBILITIES’
Mr Lui, who was formerly Chief of Navy and chief executive of the Housing and Development Board, entered politics in 2006 and was elected as a Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), where the People’s Action Party (PAP) had a walkover.
In the 2011 GE, he was part of the PAP team which won Moulmein-Kallang GRC with 58.6 per cent of the votes, beating off the challenge of the Workers’ Party. Soon after the 2011 GE, where transport was among the hotly-debated topics during the hustings, Mr Lui was appointed Transport Minister, taking over from Mr Raymond Lim.
About six months into the job, Mr Lui had to handle two massive breakdowns on the North-South Line on Dec 15 and 17, which led to the setting up of a Committee of Inquiry. Between then and now, the rail system has continued to be dogged by disruptions. The disruption early last month, deemed Singapore’s most serious rail disruption, halted both the North-South and East-West Lines for about three hours during the evening peak, affecting some 250,000 commuters.
Under Mr Lui’s charge, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) ramped up capacity for buses and trains. Under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme, 550 buses were injected, with 450 more to be added by 2017.
More new trains and new rail lines have been introduced. For instance, the Jurong Region Line and Cross Island Line will be ready by 2025 and 2030 respectively. The entire Downtown Line will open by 2017.
In his letter, Mr Lui made reference to these improvements, pointing out that train delays and withdrawals across all lines have been reduced, and waiting times for buses have dropped. But he acknowledged that they have “had some setbacks”.
“Large-scale or prolonged disruptions still happen more frequently than is acceptable,” he said. “We have embarked on major upgrades and initiated further efforts in the last quarter to identify additional areas that need systematic renewal and strengthen overall maintenance practices. Given the nature and scale of our rail network, these improvements will take time,” he added.
“But the measures we have put in place will allow our problems to be progressively dealt with and resolved. I am proud of the good work my team and MOT and LTA have done. I have put my utmost into fulfilling my responsibilities.”
LUI ‘SERVED WITH HONOUR AND DISTINCTION’: DPM TEO
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, in a statement, thanked Mr Lui “for serving, and being ready to take on challenging tasks”. Mr Teo said: “I have known Tuck Yew for more than thirty years, since he was a young officer. He has served with honour and distinction, and has brought commitment, an analytical mind, and compassion and concern for people to every responsibility he has undertaken.”
Mr Teo – who has known Mr Lui for more than 30 years and had encouraged him to enter politics – noted that since Mr Lui was elected in 2006, he has served the residents of Moulmein division and in a number of different portfolios.
“As the Minister for Transport since 2011, he has put all his energy into improving our transport system. The programmes he implemented have begun to show results and will in time improve our transport system significantly,” said Mr Teo, adding that he spoke to Mr Lui “to ask him to continue” but was unable to change his mind.
“I understand and respect his reasons,” said Mr Teo. “Tuck Yew has much to offer in whatever he pursues. I wish Tuck Yew, Soo Fen, and their family good health and much happiness.”
Source: www.todayonline.com
