Curious political pundits finally got the answer. After more than 30 years of public service, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and anchor Minister for Jurong GRC Lim Boon Heng, 63, will call it a day at the end of this electoral term. He broke the news at the launch of the Jurong Town Council's five-year concept master plan on 10 April 2011.
There was talk that he would stand for another term in the coming General Election in Jurong GRC or elsewhere as his work rate did not indicate imminent retirement. His announcement has put paid to such speculation.
Minister Lim was first elected People's Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament for Kebun Baru in 1980. He joined NTUC in 1981 and was NTUC Secretary-General from 1993 until resigning at the end of 2006, whereby the NTUC Central Committee unanimously elected current Secretary-General Lim Swee Say.
“We respect Boon Heng a lot because he is not only an outstanding leader, but also a selfless leader. He always gives his best in serving the workers and people. At the same time, he also does his best to nurture his successors and next generation of leaders.
“In the Labour Movement, he guided me and made me his successor as Secretary-General of NTUC when he was only 58-years old. And now, as the Chairman of PAP, he is retiring early to make way for younger leaders to step forward. It shows how much he cares for the success and progress of Singapore, not just the present, but also the future,” said NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say
Minister Lim revealed that he offered to step down before the 2006 General Election, but Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong persuaded him to carry on. Asked whether his retirement will pave the way for him to stand for the presidential election due later this year, Minister Lim said categorically “I do not wish to be President” and that his future plans are more modest.
Importantly, he said the PAP has found a slate of very good candidates who meet the standards, thus allowing him to “retire, pleased that we have a new team in place that will serve the people of Jurong and Yuhua well”.
Though he says he now has more time for family, gardening and reading, he won’t be turning his back on the Labour Movement and simply disappear into the woodwork. Amongst other things, he is Chairman of the NTUC Social Enterprises Development Council, Chairman of NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd, and Chairman of NTUC Eldercare Co-operative Ltd.
He is also Advisor to EMSEU, HSEU, MIWU, SIASU, SMOU, SOS and SUBE and Trustee to MIWU and SMOU.
Fellow Jurong GRC MP and comrade NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Halimah Yacob said: "It is difficult to do justice to Minister Lim in just a few sentences for his vast contributions. In Jurong GRC, I have benefitted from his leadership style, which had allowed us to grow our own strengths but with the comfort of knowing that he will always be there at any time we needed help.
“He is a man of deep convictions, that was why he continues to anguish over the casino issue, and is well regarded among residents and grassroots leaders. I am glad that he will continue to contribute in different ways to the causes that he believes in."
NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Heng Chee How said: "I look up to Brother Lim Boon Heng as my teacher and mentor. He was the Secretary-General when I joined the NTUC, and I continue to serve with him on aging issues at the Prime Minister’s Office.
“I benefited immensely from his example, guidance and encouragement over the years. I particularly like his quiet and calm approach to getting things done. It exemplifies for me a good model of servant leadership. I wish Brother Boon Heng a happy retirement from politics."
Added NTUC Central Committee member and AU PE Advisor Teo Yock Ngee: “He is also a very compassionate leader who has always been very helpful to our fellow unionists and unions in times of need. And he would prefer to do it in a quiet way.”
