Goh Chok Tong

Prime Minister of Singapore

20 May 1941 Singapore, Straits Settlements

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28 November 1990 – 12 August 2004

2nd Prime Minister of Singapore In this Chinese name, the family name is Goh (吴)'. His Excellency Goh Chok Tong SPMJ 吴作栋 Goh in 20012nd Prime Minister of SingaporeIn office 28 November 1990 – 12 August 2004PresidentWee Kim Wee (1989-93)Ong Teng Cheong (1993-99)S.R. Nathan (1999-2011)DeputyLee Hsien Loong (1990-2004)Ong Teng Cheong (1985-93)Tony Tan Keng Yam (1995-2005)Preceded by Lee Kuan YewSucceeded by Lee Hsien LoongSenior Minister of SingaporeIn office 12 August 2004 – 20 May 2011Serving with S. Jayakumar (2009–2011)Secretary-General of the People's Action PartyIn office 2 December 1992 – 2 December 2004Deputy Prime Minister of SingaporeIn office 2 January 1985 – 28 November 1990Serving with Ong Teng CheongSucceeded by Lee Hsien LoongMinister for DefenceIn office 1 June 1982 – 30 June 1991Preceded by Howe Yoon ChongSucceeded by Yeo Ning HongMinister for HealthIn office 6 January 1981 – 31 May 1982Preceded by Toh Chin ChyeSucceeded by Howe Yoon ChongMinister for Trade and IndustryIn office 15 March 1979 – 31 May 1981Preceded by newly created postSucceeded by Tony Tan Keng YamMember of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC (Marine Parade) Marine Parade SMC (1976 - 1988)In office 23 December 1976 – 23 June 2020Preceded by seat createdSucceeded by Tan See LengChairman of the Monetary Authority of SingaporeIn office 20 August 2004 – 30 April 2011Prime Minister Lee Hsien LoongDeputyLim Hng KiangMinister for FinanceTharman ShanmugaratnamPreceded by Lee Hsien LoongSucceeded by Tharman Shanmugaratnam Personal detailsBornGoh Chok Tong (1941-05-20 ) 20 May 1941 (age 80) Singapore, Straits SettlementsPolitical partyPeople's Action Party (PAP)Spouse(s)Tan Choo Leng ​(m. 1965)​Children2Alma materRaffles Institution University of Singapore Williams CollegeSignatureChinese nameSimplified Chinese吴作栋 Traditional Chinese吳作棟 TranscriptionsStandard MandarinHanyu PinyinWú Zuòdòng Yue: CantoneseYale RomanizationNgh Jok-dung JyutpingNg4 Zok3 Dung6 Southern MinHokkien POJGô͘ Chok-tòng Goh Chok Tong (born 20 May 1941) is a former Singaporean politician who served as Prime Minister of Singapore from 28 November 1990 to 12 August 2004 and secretary-general of the People's Action Party from November 1992 to December 2004. Prior to his prime ministership, Goh served in the ministerial portfolios for trade and industry, health, and defence under Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He was a Member of Parliament for 44 years, representing Marine Parade SMC for 12 years and Marine Parade GRC for the next 32 years. Under his leadership, the party maintained its continuous rule on Singapore from the 1991 general election to the 2001 general election. Goh's tenure was marked by the 1997 Asian financial crisis and 2003 SARS outbreak. He was succeeded by Lee Hsien Loong on 12 August 2004 and subsequently appointed as a senior minister and chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) from 2004 to 2011. Goh retired from politics and stepped down as a Member of Parliament in 2020 as part of a leadership transition. He is the only living former prime minister and holds the honorary title of "Emeritus Senior Minister".