Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has retired as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Marine Parade.

This means that he will also not be running in the 2020 General Election.

Will not have the same energy when he turns 80

In a letter sent to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Goh said that his decision to retire was made "after much thought and a heavy heart".

Goh explained in a Facebook post that although he is healthy, he will "not have the same energy" to serve after he turns 80 next year.

He added:

"To all my Marine Parade GRC residents, thank you for your support all these years. I wish you good health, happiness and success.

This is au revoir, not adieu.

I will continue to contribute to Marine Parade and Singapore in other ways.

Thank you Marine Parade. Thank you Singapore."

Outpouring of tributes

Following the news of his retirement, friends and industry peers have written tributes looking back on Goh's political career.

Goh also received tributes from opposition politicians, including Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh and Singapore People's Party chairman Jose Raymond.