Former Minister for Transport and Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure Khaw Boon Wan is retiring from politics after 42 years of service —a decision that was made after his bypass surgery in 2010, which he described to be "a traumatic, life changing event."

As such, Khaw did not stand in the 2020 General Elections.

Subsequently, he put up a post on July 21 in which he reflected on his experience of clearing out his office after 42 years.

"Feeling Liberated"

Khaw highlighted that he was "feeling liberated" and that he had built up a collection of gifts over his years of service, from "foreign dignitaries and well-wishers".

Khaw added that he had paid for the gifts under regulations for the civil service, items which bore his name had travelled with him each time he shifted offices.

This was because he felt it "rude" to give them away.

In this case however, given that it was his final move, he decided to give all of the gifts to his colleagues and was "pleasantly surprised" that they did not mind retaining the gifts as mementos of the the time he had spent with them at the Transport Ministry. Khaw will spend his final few days at the Ministry of Transport tying up loose ends.

Khaw also thanked his assistant of 25 years, Soh Wan Kuan, for helping with the shifting between offices, noting that she had "put in many hours of hard work, over several weekends, packing and unpacking".

He then rounded off his post by reiterating his liberation:

"And wonders of wonders, I am experiencing the lightness of feeling liberated! I feel free!"

Top image collage from Khaw Boon Wan Facebook