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Prime Minister and Mrs Goh, Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
At this celebration of GIC's 20th anniversary, the Board, management and staff
of GIC wish to express our appreciation to seven former members of the Board
for their services and contribution to GIC. They are distinguished citizens
of Singapore. By their significant involvement in nation building, they enabled
the accumulation of our foreign reserves which gave birth to GIC. By their
services on the Board, they help to lay the foundation for GIC's growth and
development.
Dr Goh Keng Swee was GIC's first Deputy Chairman from May 1981 to July 1994.
It was Dr Goh who conceptualised GIC and convinced our Chairman, who was then
Prime Minister, to establish the GIC. Although Dr Goh is unable to be with
us this evening, we wish to express our gratitude to him.
We are greatly honoured by the presence this evening
of our Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong. Mr Goh served on the Board for more
than 10 years, from May 1981 to November 1991. As Prime Minister, he continues
to follow closely the affairs of GIC.
GIC's first Chief Executive, as Managing Director, was Mr Yong Pung How, now
Singapore's Chief Justice. Mr Yong answered the government's call to national
service in May 1981. His broad shoulders carried the weight of nursing the
infant GIC through the teething years.
Also at the birth of GIC was Mr Lim Kim San, who served the government as
Cabinet Minister of several key portfolios. Now, as Chairman of the Council
of Presidential Advisers, he scrutinises appointments to the GIC Board and
GIC's stewardship of investing public funds.
Mr J Y Pillay served as GIC's Managing Director from April 1985 to October
1989. Many GIC officers still remember Mr Pillay's personal interest in their
development, and the training he gave us in the precise use of language. We
wish to record our appreciation to Mr Pillay who is not able to join us tonight.
This evening, we also cherish the memory and contribution of two former Board
members who are no longer with us. Mr Hon Sui Sen served on the Board from
May 1981 to October 1983. Mr Hon's distinguished service in government, as
top civil servant and Minister for Finance, continues to be a great inspiration
to many of us.
Mr Tan Teck Chwee served on the Board from May 1981 to April 1988. He was
Chairman of the Public Service Commission and made a lasting contribution
to GIC by steering several government scholars to serve their bond with GIC.
We are very honoured and delighted to have with
us this evening Mrs Hon Sui Sen, with her daughter Joan, and Mrs Tan Teck
Chwee, with her daughter Siok Hui.
And now, may I invite on stage the Chairman of the GIC Board, Senior Minister
Lee Kuan Yew, to present mementos to our former Board members or their representatives.
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