MM Lee on stepping down: It's the right thing to do - News

MM Lee on stepping down: It's the right thing to do - News

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew says his decision to step down from Cabinet is the "right thing to do" and sends a clear message that there is a "break from the past." In an email to The Sunday Times, the 87-year-old founding father of Singapore said, "SM Goh and I believe this is the right thing to do, to give PM and his team the room to break from the past, and we want to make it clear that the PAP has never been averse to change."

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew

In what could be an oblique acknowledgment he and SM Goh may have cost the ruling People's Action Party some votes during the recent General Elections, MM Lee added, "It is vital to avoid a situation where people vote to have more opposition for opposition's sake."

MM Lee attracted widespread criticism for his remarks that Aljunied GRC constituents would "repent" if they voted for the opposition, while SM Goh was involved in an ugly war of words with his previous staff member and Singapore Democratic Party member, Tan Jee Say. SM Goh also raised eyebrows when he appeared to defend then-Foreign Minister George Yeo, only to inadvertently put down some other Cabinet Ministers.

MM Lee's email came hours after he and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong issued a surprise 168-word statement on Saturday evening announcing that both senior politicians were leaving the Cabinet. In a joint-email statement to the media, the two leaders and former Prime Minister said they have considered the "new political situation" and it's time for a new generation to take the country forward. --- READ MORE