the passing of a titan

"the Economic Development Board, the Jurong Town Corporation, the Monetary Association of Singapore and the Government Investment Corporation were all initiated by the economist with a PhD from the London School of Economics'

''.. cut through hierarchy and preferred to deal with young officers. he was a tough boss who refused to suffer fools.."

"the only way to avoid making mistakes is not to do anything. and that will be the ultimate mistake.."

"Dr Phua spoke of her late husband with spirit. throughout his many illnesses, his battles against diabetes and a stroke, she stood by his side, fiercely protective.."

"He's a very simple man. he was a man who sometimes didnt even carry money around with him"

".. how Dr Goh's thriftiness remained undiminished, even in hospital. when using the tissue paper in the ward, Dr Goh tore each sheet in half, saving the other for future use. if his wife used an entire sheet, he chided her by saing: "it's taxpayer's money"."

"the man who valued above all simplicity, privacy and humility.."

"a fitting reception for one who spurned all excess, pomp and circumstance"

"instead of mesmerizing a nation with eloquence, Dr Goh chose to be the fix-it-all lieutenant who conjured up and carried out almost every major decision the then-government made"