Veteran Marine Parade leader & ex-MP Goh Chok Tong endorses Goh Pei Ming, new MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights

Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has publicly endorsed new Marine Parade-Braddell Heights MP-elect Goh Pei Ming.

The elder Goh, who was Member of Parliament (MP) for the Marine Parade ward from 1976 to 2020, wrote in a Facebook post on Apr. 25 that he made a trip down to Marine Parade to see the younger Goh.

"He is humble, sincere, and understands the importance of stepping forward to serve Singapore," said ESM Goh.

Goh Pei Ming is one of two new faces to become MP-elects in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC after the constituency saw a walkover.

Goh was a surprise addition to the PAP slate in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, replacing would-be anchor minister Tan See Leng on Nomination Day.

Goh was previously seen walking the ground at East Coast GRC.

Other thoughts on GE2025

In his post, ESM Goh also weighed in with his thoughts on GE2025.

ESM Goh said that from his personal experience, a PM of a small country needs both quality and quantity of MPs in Parliament to have "political strength and stature to lead Singapore", especially at a critical juncture of geopolitical rivalry, tension, and disruptive challenges.

Noting that many voters want to bring in more opposition candidates into Parliament while keeping the People's Action Party (PAP) in power, ESM Goh said,

"This is like wanting to spend more today and save more for a rainy day at the same time. The reality is voters cannot have both.

They must decide to choose one or the other: more opposition in Parliament and a weaker government or give PM Lawrence Wong and his party a strong mandate to govern Singapore."

And echoing Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's comments to voters to "apply the same standards" to opposition politicians, ESM Goh opined that they should be judged on the same yardstick as the PAP and its candidates, as a "potential ruling party".

"I liken a political contest to a boxing competition. There can be only one winner. No boxer steps into the ring declaring that he only wants to check his opponent or be his sparring partner forever. He is out to knock out the other fellow, if not now, then in future contests.

Similarly, no political party should be satisfied with being a loyal opposition forever."

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Top image from MParader/Facebook