Get For Me Singapore PRIME MINISTER'S INTERVIEW WITH THE STRAITS TIMES (More 2)

PM Goh's replies to public enquiries

Q: How will you ensure that the new team of leaders will be ready to take over?
-- Mr Lee Wai Tuck, 34, market analyst

A: It will be smooth because the core team is there already and, watching the interaction amongst the present younger ministers, I think it will be quite cohesive. I don't expect factions to break out. I don't expect personal rivalries or personality conflicts.
Then next of course is to get more people to join the team...
So with that team in place, I think succession should be smooth.

Q: What would you say is your greatest achievement as PM?
-- Anthony Goh, 23, student

A: When I came in as Prime Minister, I set for myself a very clear simple goal, and I said so in my speech, and that is to keep Singapore going. I would like to think that I have kept Singapore going for the last 10 years and that I have the ability to keep it going for another few more years. And then after that somebody else can keep it going.

Comment: Please re-look our education system. It is too tough on children and is unhealthy for their development.
-- Miss Parry Tan, 40, international manager in freight forwarding company

A: The Government has done so and has taken off some 20 per cent of materials off the curriculum. So the load has been lightened and they have moved into project work. But project work gives them more time but then they've got to think more and to do more research.
I would say the stress comes not so much from the educational system but, very often, from the parents themselves.

Q: Who will be the next PM?
-- Marcus Tan, 13

A: I've indicated my own preference. By picking Lee Hsien Loong as my deputy, I would expect him to succeed me. But in the same breath, I said the choice is not up to me. The choice is up to the Members of Parliament and third-generation leaders when the time comes.