Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
DR GOH KENG SWEE, my favourite hero from the Old Guard, has just died. He was humble, wry, witty, devastatingly intelligent, frugal, with great vision, low-key and never vying for the spotlight — and he put all these talents to good use in public service. Without him, I may not be sitting here comfortably blogging away. It’s with the blood, sweat, toil and tears — and brains — of people like him that modern Singapore was shaped.
He’s a hero of mine, right up there with Rawls and the rest.
I’m mourning. The nation should be mourning.
Thank you for all you’ve done for Singapore, Dr Goh. We will miss you deeply.
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Learn more about him here. In the age of Google, you can dig around easily.
我国开国元勋吴庆瑞博士今天逝世 享年91岁
(2010-05-14)
（联合早报网讯）我国开国元勋之一吴庆瑞博士今天逝世，享年91岁。
吴庆瑞博士享有“新加坡经济发展之父”、“新加坡经济塑造者”等美誉，在内阁中曾担任多项要职，包括在1959年出任财政部长、 1965年至1967年间任内政兼国防部长、1968年至1984年间任副总理，为我国的独立和繁荣做出了卓越的贡献。
吴庆瑞祖籍福建。1918年10月6日生于马来西亚的马六甲。1959年，他与李光耀、杜进才等发起创建人民行动党。
吴庆瑞博士深得新加坡总理李光耀的信任，辅弼李光耀在经济方面取得了杰出的成就，使新加坡在短短的二十多年时间内，变成亚洲一条小龙，东南亚的一颗明珠。
1959年，当新加坡遇到严重的经济困难，吴庆瑞受命于国家的危难之际，出任财政部长，负责全面指导新加坡经济。他策划和推进了新加坡工业化，扩大新加坡出口贸易，大力发展旅游业和金融业，并指导制定了新加坡一系列货币政策，使新加坡的经济发展不断获得新的动力，成为世界金融中心之一。
吴庆瑞在新加坡所进行的教育改革，也取得了巨大成绩，对新加坡的现代化过程起到了重大作用。1979年，吴庆瑞兼任教育部长后，提出了适合新加坡国情的教育改革方案，将基础教育由淘汰型转向强制型，让不同能力的学生均有受教育的机会。该改革方案最大特点也包括在中小学实行分流制。
1984年，吴庆瑞卸下内阁职务，同年退出政坛。
吴庆瑞从政坛退休后，欣然接受了中国政府的聘请，担任中国沿海经济开发的顾问。利用他渊博的学识和丰富的经验，为中国现代化建设不断提供咨询服务，为增进中国和新加坡之间的友谊作出了贡献。
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May 14, 2010
REMEMBERING DR GOH KENG SWEE
‘A humble and simple man’
PRESIDENT S.R. Nathan, paying tribute to the late Dr Goh Keng Swee, said the former Deputy Prime Minister and a Founding Father of Singapore, will be remembered by all who knew him, ‘as a humble and simple man, who in his quiet way inspired one to achieve great things.’
‘He was indeed a gem of a man in all respects,’ said President Nathan.
‘I hope that future generations will think and ponder about his ideas, and appreciate what Dr Goh has contributed to Singapore’s development and growth and what some have called the ‘magic of our success’.’
Here is the President’s full tribute to Dr Goh, who died early on Friday morning and will be given a state funeral next week:
‘Many will be the tributes that will be paid to this marvellous man, who devoted so much of his life for the advancement, progress and security of Singapore and our people. To that I would like to add my own tribute - as one who learnt so much at his feet.
He was the foremost among the architects of the transformation of Singapore. He was behind many of our achievements as a Nation - be it in our economic progress and transformation in education, in defence and security or the enhancement of Singapore so that its people can have a better life.
Nothing was too small or insignificant to be worthy of his attention. Whether it was the Girls’ Pipe Band, the SAF, the Music and Drama Company, the Zoo, the Jurong Bird Park, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra - he had a hand in all these.
He was always steered by ideas, but his course was always determined by whether the idea would work. His consuming passion was how to help propel this Nation and people to greater heights.
As a Straits-born, multi-racialism to him was not just a habit. He genuinely believed in it. He practised it in all his dealings with people. He was Calvinist in his thrift, scrupulous in his honesty and determined in his perseverance in whatever task he undertook. He had his principles as well as his prejudices. He had his moods and momentary indignations.
But, above all, he was always prepared to listen. He had extraordinary energy and a sense of selflessness. He had a quick mind and the ability to make deep incisions of a problem, before suggesting a solution.
He pursued with child-like enthusiasm whatever matter attracted his fancy, so long as it was something worthy of his pursuit. But always driven by whether its pursuit will be in the best interest of Singapore and the welfare of our people. Whatever aroused his interest he pursued with serious determination.
Working with him in several areas was a unique experience. It gave me much satisfaction and a sense of fulfilment. He was by no means an easy person to work for. He had a formidable intellect and a photographic memory. Nothing escaped his scrutiny. He would be presented with a monumental volume for consideration over a weekend.
Despite his many public engagements, he would always come to meetings, having got to the nub of the matter, and identified the weaknesses in the recommendations or the errors in the analysis.
He was particular of the language used in communication and abhorred jargon. He always insisted that one writes simple English so that even a fool will understand.
He was a man to work with in a crisis. If he was confident that one was up to the task of overcoming the crisis, be it an aircraft hijack or a serious bilateral problem with another nation - he hardly interfered in their handling.
He was never shy to say that he did not know something or understood what they stood for. When he introduced ‘Religious Studies’ in our Schools, he had a noble purpose. He felt strongly that it was through religious fables that one could pass on ‘moral lessons’ to our children and in a way they can always relate to. He believed that ’story tellers’ should write such books, if children are to appreciate them.
Proselytising a faith was not his purpose. He studied the textbooks of each faith and religious philosophy with equal interest and discussed them dispassionately, without allowing his own religious beliefs to interfere in their evaluation. He never failed to point out always that behind all the successes we have achieved there was always the hand of providence.
He will be remembered by all who knew him, as a humble and simple man, who in his quiet way inspired one to achieve great things. He was indeed a gem of a man in all respects.
I hope that future generations will think and ponder about his ideas, and appreciate what Dr Goh has contributed to Singapore’s development and growth and what some have called the ‘magic of our success’.’
*
Passing of a Colossus
By Chua Mui Hoong, Senior Writer
DR GOH Keng Swee, one of the Founding Fathers of Singapore, died early on Friday morning of pneumonia at home. He was 91.
His widow Dr Phua Swee Liang told reporters at their home in the East Coast area on Friday morning that Dr Goh died at about 5 am. He had been ill for many years and she was the main caregiver, helping to control his diabetes. She told reporters she felt emotionally numb at his death.
He leaves behind his wife, a son and daughter-in-law, two grandsons and three great grandchildren.
Dr Goh was a tax collector and then social welfare officer in Singapore in colonial times. A staunch anti-colonialist, he was part of a small band of men that met regularly at Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s home in Oxley Road to discuss the setting up of a political party to fight the British colonial powers.
In 1959, he entered politics on the People’s Action Party ticket. In 25 years of political service, he served as the Minister for Finance, Defence, and Education. He later became Deputy Prime Minister.
Dr Goh is best known for his contributions to the economic development of Singapore, although his imprint on modern Singapore stretches far beyond economics.
He was instrumental in going against conventional wisdom in propelling Singapore towards an export-oriented growth strategy dependent on foreign direct investment, at a time when other developing countries favoured import substitution. Institutions like the Economic Development Board, the Development Bank of Singapore, Jurong industrial corporation, Monetary Authority of Singapore and GIC (Government of Singapore Investment Corporation) were started by him.
In Education, he oversaw the introduction of streaming to provide customised education tracks by academic ability, a policy that later became controversial.
He also advocated the teaching of religious knowledge and was instrumental in creating the Humanities scholarship award to balance Singapore’s emphasis on building up technical and scientific talent.
He built up Singapore’s armed forces in the early days and continued to advocate the use of technology to improve their capability.
A man with varied interests, he was also involved in the creation of the People’s Association and the Jurong Bird Park.
He influenced an entire generation of civil servants. He is credited with having instilled foundational values of thrift among them, as well as inspired them with his own entrepreneurial, never-say-die attitude.
Plans are being firmed up for a state funeral for Dr Goh.
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GIC pays tribute to Dr Goh
THE Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) on Friday paid tribute to the late Dr Goh Keng Swee and salutes his ‘farsightedness and fortitude’ which laid the foundation of the GIC’s development as ’stewards of Singapore’s foreign reserves.’
Dr Tony Tan, Deputy Chairman and Executive Director of GIC, said in a statement: ‘All of us at GIC are saddened by the passing of Dr Goh Keng Swee.
‘Dr Goh was pivotal to the founding of GIC as GIC’s first Deputy Chairman from 1981 to 1994. Dr Goh’s resolute belief in the need to protect and grow the hard-earned wealth of Singaporeans continues to influence the GIC community.
‘Today, the idea of the Sovereign Wealth Fund seems natural, but Dr Goh’s focus on reserve management was rare among countries in his time.
‘Dr Goh’s farsightedness and fortitude laid the foundation for the development of GIC as stewards of Singapore’s foreign reserves.’
The former Deputy Prime Minister and Singapore’s economic architect died of pneumonia at home early on Friday morning and after a long illness. He was 91.
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May 14, 2010
REMEMBERING GOH KENG SWEE
‘A far-sighted visionary’
THE late Dr Goh Keng Swee was both a far-sighted visionary and a pragmatic manager, as well as ‘a man of ideas’ who excelled at bringing them to fruition, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his tribute to the former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, who died early on Friday morning after a long illness.
‘Whatever the challenges, Dr Goh would stay calm, bring to bear his capacious mind, work out the best course of action, and then act decisively to solve the problem,’ said PM Lee in his condolence letter to Dr Goh’s widow, Dr Phua Swee Liang, who has been the main caregiver during his long years of illness.
Mr Lee said in his 25 years in office, Dr Goh, who died at age 91, served in the most important ministries, ‘making bold, imaginative changes to the policies and structures that now define Singapore.’
He also set out the key principles guiding many of the government policies, ‘always in pellucid and magisterial prose,’ and also created and nurtured many institutions.
Here is PM Lee’s condolence letter to Mrs Goh:
Dear Mrs Goh,
On behalf of the Government and people of Singapore, may I convey my deepest condolences to you and your family on the passing of Dr Goh Keng Swee.
Dr Goh was a founding father of Singapore. He belonged to the core group of leaders who struggled against the British colonial government, fought the communists in Singapore, and stood up against the communalists while Singapore was in Malaysia.
After Singapore became independent in 1965, he tackled our nation’s most critical problems, and laid the foundations for our prosperity and security. Without him, the Singapore story would have been very different.
Dr Goh was both a far-sighted visionary and a pragmatic manager. He was a man of ideas, but also excelled at bringing these ideas to fruition. Whatever the challenges, Dr Goh would stay calm, bring to bear his capacious mind, work out the best course of action, and then act decisively to solve the problem.
In his 25 years in office, Dr Goh served in the most important ministries, making bold, imaginative changes to the policies and structures that now define Singapore.
As Finance Minister, he initiated the industrialisation programme and set Singapore on the path of sustained development and prosperity. As Defence Minister, he introduced national service and built up the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) from scratch. As Education Minister, he totally restructured the education system, from primary schools to the universities.
In addition to the SAF, Dr Goh created and nurtured many institutions, including the Economic Development Board (EDB), Jurong Town Corporation (now called JTC Corporation), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Govern-ment of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), which have endured and become distinctive features of Singa-pore’s structure of government.
He also set out the key principles guiding many of our policies, always in pellucid and magisterial prose. The fundamental tenets of thrift and hard work, free enterprise and prudent public finance, and harmonious industrial relations continue to form the bedrock of Singapore’s competitive strengths and success.
For Dr Goh, success meant more than leaving poverty behind. He believed that for a nation to grow in confidence and resilience, it needed spirit and soul. Hence he conceived and launched projects like the Jurong Bird Park, the Singapore Zoological Garden, the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, for Singaporeans to relax, unwind, and develop an appreciation for the finer things in life.
In every organisation he headed, Dr Goh nurtured a culture of continuous adaptation and improvement to stay abreast of the changing world. He set high standards, and groomed and trained young officers to meet his exacting requirements.
Dr Goh strongly supported leadership renewal, a continuing imperative for Singapore. He actively pushed for the transition from the founding generation to a new, younger team of leaders who would lead Singapore to greater heights of achievement.
In 1984, he himself requested to step down from Cabinet, though he remained active in many other roles, both in Singa-pore and abroad. What he created has endured, and become the foundation for succeeding generations to build and improve upon.
However Singapore has progressed and transformed itself since Dr Goh retired, it still bears the imprint of the master builder of modern Singapore.
With my deepest sympathies,
Lee Hsien Loong
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REMEMBERING GOH KENG SWEE
‘A national hero’
SINGAPORE workers and unionists identified with the late Dr Goh Keng Swee as ‘a man with an affable touch’ and a ‘compassionate comrade’ who had fought to improve the lives of fellow workers and Singaporeans, said labour leaders on Friday.
Hailing Dr Goh, a founding father of Singapore and former Deputy Prime Minister as a ‘national hero,’ three past and present National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) leaders said the union movement is indebted to him for helping to chart its future goals and directions.
In their tribute to Dr Goh, who died at age 91 early on Friday morning after a long illness, former NTUC secretary-general Lim Boon Heng, the current NTUC chief Lim Swee Say and NTUC president John De Payva, said the he was instrumental in laying down the key principles for the labour movement’s cooperatives, the success of which is due ‘to close adherence to the wise council of Dr Goh.’
‘He was both compassionate and concerned over the plight of low-income workers and the poor. His diligence, dedication and sincerity have touched and warmed the hearts of many Singaporeans and workers alike,’ they added.
‘His demise is truly a loss to our workers, Singaporeans and Singapore. He will always be fondly remembered by all of us as an icon for the workers who had 40 years ago shown the labour movement the path to modernisation that has led us to where we are today.’
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May 14, 2010
REMEMBERING GOH KENG SWEE
‘Hands-off’ Iseas founder
THE late Dr Goh Keng Swee founded the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (Iseas) - yet his name is not on the official documents related to his brainchild.
This is one of his many achievements which may have escaped public notice, said Mr K. Kesavapany, Iseas director, in his tribute to the former Deputy Prime Minister and a prime architect of modern Singapore, who died early on Friday morning after a long illness. He was 91.
‘This forgotten story is worth retelling because it not only commemorates Dr Goh’s vision but also provides a fascinating account of how vision needs political support which has to be tempered by a hands-off, non-interfering approach for that vision to grow,’ he said.
‘As much as Dr Goh was appreciated for his hands-off approach, he was also there when needed… he was always ready to be informed about any problem we were having and one could come away knowing that he would take whatever steps were necessary to deal with any problems that were there,’ he added.
‘And he always delivered, even if it was just to lend his presence at fund-raising dinners so that invited businessmen would be more generous with their wallets, recalled one of the directors.’
Four decades on, the legacy of an academic research centre left to do its own thing is most evident in the books that it has published, both in their numbers and in the range of subjects that they cover, said Mr Kesavapany. Almost every major issue in the region has been tackled by an Iseas staff member or its vast network of visiting scholars.
‘Free to set its own agenda, the institute has struck a balance between its forays into policy-relevant areas and its hospitality to a menu of contending discourses, far removed from the pressing concerns of the Singapore state,’ he added.
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S’poreans owe late Dr Goh Keng Swee a debt of gratitude: Dr Balakrishnan
By Imelad Saad | Posted: 14 May 2010 1911 hrs
SINGAPORE : Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said every child in school, every soldier serving in the armed forces, and every worker with a job in Singapore owes the late Dr Goh Keng Swee a huge debt of gratitude.
In a statement to the media, Dr Balakrishnan said he never had the privilege of working under Dr Goh. But Dr Balakrishnan, who was formerly a medical director at the Singapore National Eye Centre, said he met the former Deputy PM many years ago, when Dr Goh was a patient at the eye centre.
Despite his medical problems, Dr Balakrishnan said Dr Goh struck him as a quiet, dignified man who was determined to do things his way.
He said he remembered Dr Goh’s wife being fiercely protective and knew that she took excellent care of him.
Separately, the former minister of Social Affairs, Othman Wok, described the late Dr Goh as the architect of the Singapore economy.
Through his hard work, Dr Goh was able to turn around the country’s economy during its early years of self-governance.
Mr Othman also remembers him as the man who was instrumental in the development of the Jurong Industrial estate.
He said: “He was able to get investors - local as well as foreign investors - to invest in Jurong and to open up factories. One of the first ones, known internationally was Rollei, produces cameras. Later on, more factories open in Jurong.”
Mr Othman said the late Dr Goh was also responsible for the development of the Singapore zoo, Jurong Bird Park, Sentosa and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. - CNA /ls
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EDB says late Dr Goh was “chief architect of Singapore’s economy”
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 14 May 2010 2035 hrs
SINGAPORE : The chairman of Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), Leo Yip, has described the late former Deputy Prime Minister Goh Keng Swee as the “chief architect of Singapore’s economy”.
Mr Yip said it was from Dr Goh’s push for industrialisation to develop Singapore’s economy that the EDB was formed.
He said Dr Goh showed EDB the way to build up confidence among investors considering investments in Singapore.
Dr Goh established the infrastructure necessary for growth, such as Jurong Industrial Estate, and built a strong foundation upon which Singapore’s economy was developed into what it is today.
“Dr Goh has left a very valuable legacy to the EDB - learning from others, adapting new knowledge, daring to dream and being bold in building up Singapore’s economy. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Dr Goh’s family,” said Mr Yip.
- CNA/al
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TV snippet here
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（联合早报网讯）我国开国元勋之一，吴庆瑞博士今天（14日）清晨5时，因肺部受感染，在东海岸丹宝径的住家逝世，享年91岁。他病逝后遗下妻子、儿子、媳妇、两位孙子和3位曾孙。
吴庆瑞博士享有“新加坡经济发展之父”、‘新加坡经济奇迹设计师’、“新加坡经济塑造者”等美誉，曾在我国内阁中担任多项要职，包括在 1959年出任财政部长、1965年至1967年间任内政兼国防部长、1968年至1984年间任副总理，为我国的独立和繁荣做出了卓越的贡献。
吴庆瑞博士的妻子潘瑞良女士（71岁）今早在住家受访时，伤感地说：“丈夫自今年3月28日因为肺部受感染，前后进出医院4次。两天前，他的情况好转，医生允许他出院，但在今天凌晨5时去世。”
吴庆瑞博士去世时，他的妻子陪伴在他身边，10多名家人过后也陆续赶回家中见他最后一面。
吴庆瑞博士遗体将从5月20日至22日起供公众瞻仰，并将在23日举行国葬。
吴庆瑞博士为我国经济、国防和教育发展奠定基础
吴庆瑞博士祖籍福建，1918年10月6日生于马来西亚的马六甲。他早年在新加坡英殖民政府开设的莱佛士学院受教育时，就热衷于经济学，二次世界大战结束后在英国取得博士学位。
抱着协助新加坡人民摆脱贫困的理想，吴庆瑞博士在1959年决定从政。他辞掉民事服务的工作，同内阁资政李光耀、前副总理拉惹勒南和杜进才等发起创建人民行动党，并参加1959年的全国大选。
当时，他竞选的是一个小选区，在牛车水的中心，当时名为“牛车水区”。他虽然是首次出征，却以压倒性的票数当选牛车水区国会议员。
吴庆瑞博士深得当时任新加坡总理的李光耀信任，辅弼李光耀在经济方面取得了杰出的成就，使新加坡在短短的二十多年时间内，变成亚洲一条小龙，东南亚的一颗明珠。
1959年，当新加坡遇到严重的经济困难，吴庆瑞博士受命于国家的危难之际，出任财政部长，负责全面规划新加坡经济。他策划和推进了新加坡工业化，扩大新加坡出口贸易，大力发展旅游业和金融业，并指导制定了新加坡一系列货币政策，使新加坡的经济发展不断获得新的动力，成为世界金融中心之一。
吴庆瑞博士在新加坡所领导的教育改革，也取得了巨大成绩，对新加坡的现代化过程起到了重大作用。1979年，吴庆瑞博士兼任教育部长后，提出了适合新加坡国情的教育改革方案，将基础教育由淘汰型转向强制型，让不同能力的学生均有受教育的机会。该改革方案最大特点也包括在中小学实行分流制。
吴庆瑞博士出任国防部长，为建立新加坡的军队，保卫新生共和国的独立和主权，建设现代化的国家防卫系统。我国实行的强制性国民服役制度也归功于吴庆瑞博士。
1984年，吴庆瑞博士卸下内阁职务，同年退出政坛。退出政坛后，吴庆瑞博士也曾担任新加坡金融管理局主席、货币局主席与政府投资公司副主席等职，近年来则深居简出，生活低调。
吴庆瑞博士曾担任中国的经济顾问
1978年，当邓小平访问新加坡，邓小平震惊于新加坡的经济发展。裕廊工业区的发展引起了邓小平的浓厚兴趣，他希望工业园区的创始人、主管新加坡经济的副总理吴庆瑞访华，给中国经济发展方向提出建议。
应邓小平的邀请，1979年吴庆瑞第一次到中国访问。邓小平会见时表示，希望他退职后接受聘请，担任中国国务院的经济顾问。
吴庆瑞博士辞去副总理之职后，也欣然接受了中国政府的聘请，担任中国沿海开发区经济顾问兼旅游业顾问（1985年至1990年）。
吴庆瑞担任中国政府顾问近6年，邓小平每年都会见他，详细听取他的汇报和建议，负责经济工作的谷牧副总理同他交往更加频繁。聘请外国人担任中央政府顾问，也是新中国历史上的一个创新举措，表明了邓小平对新加坡的成功经验的珍视。
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吴庆瑞：邓小平请来的经济顾问
（新加坡）联合早报 (2001-11-02)
张青（作者是中国首任驻新加坡大使）
吴庆瑞是新加坡执政的人民行动党创始人之一，曾任新加坡副总理，为新加坡的经济奇迹立下汗马功劳。
1978年11月11日至14日，邓小平副总理对新加坡进行了友好访问。这是中新两国未建交前，中国领导人首次访问新加坡。李光耀总理和吴庆瑞副总理等到机场迎接。
随后，双方进行了两次会谈，李光耀详细介绍了新加坡经济发展过程、对外开放政策以及吸引外资等各项措施。会谈后，吴庆瑞副总理专程陪同邓小平去考察裕廊工业区。邓小平表示希望吴庆瑞到中国访问，为中国经济发展提出建议。
应邓小平的邀请，1979年吴庆瑞第一次到中国访问。邓小平会见时表示，希望他退职后接受聘请，担任中国国务院的经济顾问。吴庆瑞表示同意。 1985年中国国务院正式聘请他担任中国沿海开发区经济顾问兼旅游业顾问。
当年5月他开始到中国进行考察访问，又受到邓小平的亲切会见，吴庆瑞说：“我感到责任重大，任务繁重，担任顾问需要花时间，要了解中国的国情和政策，要考察研究沿海地区的情况、体制和政策，才能提出正确的建议。”随后，他专程到上海、广州、深圳和珠海考察访问，同当地负责人进行了多次会谈。
此后，吴庆瑞每年都到中国进行两次考察，每次工作一两个月。除东部沿海地区外，他重点考察了深圳、珠海、汕头和厦门四个经济特区。他的考察十分认真、具体，对当地的状况、政策、法规等问题进行了深入调研。每次考察之后，他都要提出报告和具体建议。
邓小平等中央领导每年都会见吴庆瑞，详细听取他的汇报和建议，负责经济工作的谷牧副总理同他交谈更加频繁。中国领导人对吴庆瑞考察的成果和提出的建议给予很高评价，称赞他真是经济专家，富有经济发展经验和管理知识，对中国的改革开放发挥了重要作用。根据吴庆瑞的建议，国务院进一步调整东部沿海地区的经济政策。
为了感谢吴庆瑞对中国的帮助，国务院决定每年给他6万美元的聘金。但吴庆瑞说：“我来是为了帮助中国沿海地区发展经济，不是为了赚钱，我决不接受聘金！”他每次到中国考察，工作都很劳累，有关方面就给他一点生活零用费，他仍然不收。当中方陪同人员把人民币塞进他口袋时，他就把钱送给当地有困难的小学。
1990年10月，中国与新加坡正式建议，我被任命为驻新加坡首任大使，吴庆瑞同我经常相会，亲切交谈。他多次提出具体建议，让我转告国务院领导。可惜的是，吴庆瑞在担任中国经济顾问6年后，因年事已高，身体欠佳，诚恳提出谢辞要求，国务院同意了他的要求。
吴庆瑞尽管不再担任顾问，但仍时时关心中国的事情。每当有中国重要代表团访问新加坡时，他都要会见交谈。特别是1992年邓小平在南方谈话中说：“新加坡的社会秩序算是好的，他们管得严，我们应当借鉴他们的经验。”吴庆瑞读到邓小平的讲话十分高兴。
中共中央专门派出精神文明代表团到新加坡考察访问，吴庆瑞特意请来一批相关专家与中国代表团进行了一整天的会谈。他向中方详细介绍了新加坡的经济体制和法制建设，回答了中方的提问，使中国代表团的考察取得了良好的成果。
本文原载中国《人民日报》
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吴庆瑞博士撰文透露 要不是老邓果断 东南亚局面全非
（新加坡）联合早报 (1997-02-21)
我国前副总理吴庆瑞为文指出，要不是中国领袖邓小平决定在1979年对越南发动边境战争，牵制了50万越南军队达10年，东南亚或许便不能享有今天的安定和繁荣。
他透露，邓小平1978年11月12日至14日来新加坡访问时，东南亚局势正处于危险时刻。
吴庆瑞的专文，今天刊登在《商业时报》上。
他宣称，邓小平促进中国现代化的贡献，人们说得多了，对于他个人在亚洲地缘政治方面的果断安排，便少人提起。
他分析说，1973年3月越南迫使美军撤出越南南部，南越政权两年后便告崩溃，以范文同总理为首的北越政府随即统一了南北越。当时的越南军力非常强大，拥有苏联的许多先进武器和中国之前供应的大批常规武器和粮食。
越南自己便宣称是继苏联和美国之后的世界第三大军事强国。看来，越南把寮国和柬埔寨并入版图已是势在必行。后来，发生了波博政权屠杀知识阶层和驱赶越南移民的事件后，越南军队就更有了挥军进入柬埔寨的借口。这便是1978年底，邓小平访问新加坡等东南亚国家的时代背景。
政府很担心
他写到：“新加坡政府对当时的局势很担心。越南相信就要进入柬埔寨。那么，越南接着很可能就会在泰国边境驻有重兵。”
他说，新加坡政府更关注泰国的态度，如果泰国让步，下一个对象就会是马来西亚，然后是新加坡。
“我们向邓小平反映了我们的顾虑，并且问他中国会怎么做。”
1979年1月7日，越南果然进军柬埔寨。同年2月17日，中国事先照会了美国，便在越南北部用兵。
吴庆瑞指出，中国当时的有限度军事行动，也冒着苏联进攻中国的危险，因为越南和苏联刚签署了军事盟约。
中国虽然3月5日便退兵，这场像“猫捉老鼠”般拖延了10年的中越边境战争，却迫使越南分散军力，也妨碍后者发展经济。
文章总结说，邓小平对越南发动的10年战争，并不像西方通讯员描述的是失败而退，相反的却是以胜利告终。
“中国在东南亚使用军力产生的新军事均衡局面，已使得这里的国家能在和平的环境底下发展。”
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“主子一句话 差点丢饭碗” 纳丹总统新书《我为何在这里?》揭秘
（新加坡）联合早报 周殊钦(2010-04-28)
“纳丹这个人办事不力，快把他给开除了！”
这句话大概就是前副总理吴庆瑞博士半个世纪前对当年还是一名海员福利官的纳丹总统说出的重话。他当时因不满纳丹处理一起海员纠纷的手法，怒而下令将这名当时觉得自己很无辜的公务员解雇。
要不是纳丹总统在新书“Why Am I Here?”（《我为何在这里？》）中披露这段秘辛，人们或许很难想象今日无论因效率高超，还是条规分明而享誉国际的新加坡海港，50多年前曾因航运业相关法律框架散乱无章，致使政治领导人与公务员之间出现紧张关系。
政权交替人心惶惶
纳丹差一点遭开除的那一年是1959年，适逢人民行动党在大选中击败劳工阵线而实现新加坡首次政权交替的时刻。同历史一再证明的一样，当年随政权交替而来的是一片人心惶惶，因政局不稳定而乱糟糟的情况冲击的不只是民间，也打击了维持国家治理机器运转的公务员的士气。
在这本书中，纳丹总统还揭露当时有一群自称与新政府有“关系”的“行动党走卒”，时常借自己“朝中有人”而为所欲为，严重影响了公务员的职务，致使整个公共服务陷入消沉的情绪中。而他也不禁根据当年的乱象，作出“这或许是个披着民族主义外衣的左派政府”的结论。
因跋扈走卒的无理刁难，加上上司不明就里的为难，使得纳丹的懊恼无以复加，更一度萌生“何必继续在公共服务部门苟延残喘”的离意。
不过，他在书中所举的一个最戏剧性的例子，就是他后来才知道自己当时其实曾因“政治主子”的一句话，而几乎丢了饭碗。
纳丹总统日前受访时说，他当时之所以会感到很无辜，甚至暗地里有些气愤填膺，是因为当时的上司吴庆瑞并未搞清楚在那个时代大背景下的司法现实。那起惹争议的海员纠纷，别说他只是个小小的海员福利官，即使由当年还没有外交实权的自治政府出马，也同样无法为那名海员做些什么。
原来，按上世纪50年代航运业沿袭了几个世纪的残缺不全的法律与行规，一旦涉及在外国注册船只任职的海员的福利问题，一般都由相关国家的使领馆根据本国的工会条例来处理。这也是纳丹当年处理那名在瑞典注册的轮船上工作，却因纪律问题而被解雇的海员的福利问题一筹莫展的原因。那名海员向他陈情不果后，直接找他的上司吴庆瑞。
“在那个时候，吴庆瑞可能被人误导，没意识到我们只是自治政府，根本无权同外国领事交涉。而我也不可能到瑞典总领事办公室去拍桌子。”
他在书中写道：“我后来才知道部长已要求把我解雇。幸好我在海事部门更有见地的上司劝阻成功，并向他解释没有人，包括他本人，能在这类个案上推翻总领事的决定。”
描述早年海员生活
一直以外交事业较受人瞩目的纳丹总统，是在1999年竞选民选总统职位时，才让人们发现他个人原来同本地工会的演变，还有一段不浅的渊源。在这部描述我国早年航运业海员生活的新作中，纳丹总统忆述了他在1956年受第一任首席部长马绍尔委任，由一名医疗社工懵懵懂懂地改任海员福利官的经过，以及其后任职六年的点滴。
在最初同工会接触的经验中，他不仅是从零开始，在没有任何指导手册可遵循的情况下，摸索着逐步改善海员的福利，并建立起规范化的海员工会制度。他在书中跃然纸上地描绘了当年海员生活的写照，包括各族海员的性格特征，如当海南籍海员向他求助时，总爱长篇大论；以及海员之间因自助意识强烈，而彼此建立起密切的情感，如一些海员即使互不相识，也会将本身的部分工资捐给在航海时去世的同行的遗孀。
他日前为配合《我为何在这里？》的出版，而在总统府受访时谈到了这本书出版的来龙去脉，以及它的中心主题——我为何在这里？
不像现今的作者大多用电脑写作，纳丹总统是以约一年的时间用笔完成这本书的手稿，并在2006年交给新加坡国立大学海事研究中心主任陈忠义教授，并在他的极力劝说下，答应将手稿集结成书。
然而，纳丹总统直至昨天在国大大学堂举行的新书发布会上还在犹豫是不是应该将这本他听从友人的建议，将沉积在记忆里的往事写下来的原稿拿去出版，并怀疑到底会不会有人想去读。
不过，如国大校长陈祝全教授和拨出6万5000元赞助这本书出版的吉宝企业的总裁朱昭明所言，少了作为我国首名海员福利官的亲身叙述，本地海事历史的发展里程碑将少了一抹精彩。
纳丹总统透露，当年当他因工作不顺心而懊恼得几乎想放弃工作时，一名传教士霍克士要他自问“我为何在这里？”。结果，他在做了一番心灵探索之后，明白能凭一己的努力去帮助那些无助的海员，为他们排解工作纠纷，并能在道德这一关对得起自己，因而决定忍一时之气，坚持做下去。
读了这本书之后，陈祝全教授认为纳丹总统当年所展现的悲天悯人的情怀，尤其值得人们深思。而朱昭明则对他在毫无前例可循的情况下，坚持不懈地从各方面去尝试解决问题的精神，感到十分佩服。
国大海事研究中心共出了3000本，除了本地各所大学的主要图书馆，民众也可到国家图书馆借阅。本书也从今天起在国大合作社（NUS Co-Op）出售，售价为29元9角。
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吴庆瑞： 行动党最重要成就 是创造并维持新加坡繁荣
（新加坡）联合早报 (1995-11-23)
东亚政治经济研究所执行主席吴庆瑞博士说，人民行动党最重要的成就是使新加坡经济成功转型，为人民提供就业，它不但给新加坡带来了现阶段的繁荣，也知道如何维持这种繁荣。
他认为行动党当年战胜亲共分子，赢得独立，固然在政治上占得优势，但它这么多年来在治理国家的过程中，也显示它一直都在国家的最高政治阶层中注入有才华的人才。
吴博士是执政的人民行动党元老。他提醒人民，正因为行动党须要把人才吸纳入政治体系，人民应该了解给部长加薪是必要的，而反对党无所作为，就是因为它们无法吸引到人才，因此，人民胡乱投票给反对党将给国家带来危机。
他昨天在马可波罗酒店举行的新书《东亚国富论》发行仪式上对约100名学术界、公共与私人部门的嘉宾发表讲话时说：“假定人民行动党继续执政，新加坡的前途将是光明的。”
《东亚国富论》主要收集他从1978年至1994年间发表的演讲与论文。
吴博士现年76岁。他从政期间，曾在1959年至1984年间历任财政部长、国防部长、教育部长与第一副总理。他退出政坛后，曾受中国国务院邀请担任沿海城市经济顾问与旅游业顾问。
他在讲话时说，大家都忙着埋头苦干，也许忽略了一个重要的事实，那就是我们在过去35年所取得的成就，像英国那样的国家却花了150年才达到。我国现在不但生活素质可媲美英国，还创造了无数机构去推动经济发展，大专和理工教育方面也大有进展。
他说，尽管政府早年在工业化进程中并未计划依赖电子业，但跨国公司由于税务优待都愿意到新加坡投资，以跨国公司为主导的电子工业后来也渐渐成为驱动我国经济成长的火车头。
吴博士说，以电子工业为主的制造业，再加上成为另一个经济成长火车头的金融业，使得我国学有专长的高级人才与大批资历合格的普通人都有了就业机会，新加坡人的生活因此得以改善。开放门户给跨国公司正是电子工业起飞时
他在讲话后回答政策研究院副院长李曹圆博士的提问时说，非常幸运的是新加坡当年开放门户给跨国公司时，正好是电子工业起飞的时候。
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20年前吴庆瑞就曾建议 让人民动用公积金渡难关
（新加坡）联合早报 (2001-11-02)
李显龙副总理说，新加坡的经济情况还未恶化到令人担忧的地步。因此现在就考虑让人民动用部分公积金渡过经济困境，还是言之过早。
他指出，早在20年前，前副总理吴庆瑞博士就有让人民动用部分公积金渡过经济难关的构想。
不过，李副总理认为，在目前的情况下，并没有必要让人们动用公积金。他解释说，虽然现在的裁员人数增加了，失业率也增加了一些，但是目前的4％失业率并不是很高，不是到了令人担忧的地步。
他指出，政府目前还在聘请公务员，而本地的造船业也有不少职位空缺。造船业里的空缺不但包括低技能的工作，还有一些如工程师、绘图员等职位，但是很多新加坡人却不愿意从事这些工作。
李副总理说，如果工人愿意灵活一点，愿意接受比较低的工资，现在还是有工作可以做的。在这种情况下没有必要让人们动用公积金。
他说，我们须看宏观的经济情况而定。“如果全世界经济萎靡不振，美国、欧洲、日本等国的经济衰退很明显地没有好转、无法复苏，我国失业率又高达9%至10%，这将是比较长期的问题。那么，我们当然须要做一些决定。如果经济情况需要的话，我们会另作具体的计划，看如何动用公积金。”
