Lui Tuck Yew has told me that he does not wish to stand again in the coming General Election, and I have reluctantly accepted his decision. He had told me this early this year. My senior colleagues and I tried hard to change his mind, and are disappointed that we did not succeed.
Tuck Yew has done a lot for my team and for Singapore over the last decade, especially these last four years as Minister for Transport. When I asked him to go to MOT in 2011, we both knew that I was giving him a very difficult job, but he did not hesitate. There were urgent things to be done, and public expectations were high.
He put his heart and soul into the task, and made many improvements to the public transport system. The benefits will be seen in the coming years. The job is not yet complete, but we are heading in the right direction.
Besides Transport, Tuck Yew also served in the Ministries of Information, Communications and the Arts, Foreign Affairs and Defence. As an MP in Moulmein, he has worked to improve the lives of his residents.
We will miss Tuck Yew. I thank him for all that he has done for Singapore over the last decade, and wish him all the best in future. - LHL
(Midnight visit to SMRT Bishan Depot in May 2015. / MCI File Photo by Terence Tan)
