Goh Keng Swee

Dr. Goh Keng Swee (1918–2010) was a Singaporean statesman and economist who served as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, Minister for Defence, and Minister for Education. Earning a doctorate from the London School of Economics, Goh formed a formidable partnership with Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, serving as the practical architect of Singapore's transformation from a third-world colonial port into a global first-world powerhouse.

As Finance Minister, Goh transformed the mangrove swamps of Jurong into Singapore's industrial powerhouse (the Jurong Industrial Estate), created the Economic Development Board (EDB), and established the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Following Singapore's sudden 1965 expulsion from Malaysia, Goh built the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) from scratch, establishing national conscription. Known as the master problem-solver of the Cabinet, he also created the Jurong Bird Park, the Singapore Zoo, and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.