21-05-2011, 04:46 AM
Business Times - 21 May 2011
Khaw Boon Wan determined to make housing and HDB popular again
By UMA SHANKARI
OUTGOING Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan feels 'even greater trepidation' at heading the Ministry of National Development (MND) than when he took on his previous portfolio.
'I came to MOH (Ministry of Health) during Sars with some trepidation, not quite sure what I was walking into,' Mr Khaw wrote yesterday in his last blog post as health minister. 'I will go to MND with even greater trepidation. First, it is red-hot with widespread unhappiness. Second, unlike MOH, which is familiar territory, housing is a new frontier for me.'
But as when he took over MOH in 2003, he will enter MND 'in all sincerity' to make a useful contribution and with determination to make it better.
'I am driven by only one thought: housing is one of the greatest achievements of Singapore, and our pride. It is very sad to see it being hammered left, right and centre in the lead up to and during GE (general election),' Mr Khaw said.
'I am determined to make housing and HDB Singaporeans' popular icon again.'
Mr Khaw will be sworn in as National Development Minister today, replacing Mah Bow Tan. Analysts are expecting policy shifts from MND that will impact the HDB and mass market private housing sectors.
Mr Khaw also said in the blog post - titled 'Goodbye, My Friends' - that he hopes that Singaporeans will bear with him, and promised to work 'triply hard' to shorten the learning curve, 'listen intently' to all suggestions and criticism, and 'work humbly' with the housing experts in MND and beyond.
He also traced the major events that marked his eventful eight years with MOH.
'I joined MOH in 2003 when Sars erupted. MOH needed extra hands and then-PM Goh (Chok Tong) thought that my hospital experience would be helpful in the war against Sars,' Mr Khaw recalled.
'One thing led to the other: NKF (National Kidney Foundation), Ren Ci, H1N1, bed crunch, KTPH (Khoo Teck Puat Hospital), MediShield Reform, ElderShield, Medisave liberalisation, means testing, second medical school etc.' He added that there were many more things he wanted to do in MOH, such as transform the long-term care sector, ensure nursing home affordability, reform ElderShield, set up a third medical school, and expand polyclinics.
But he would entrust this agenda to the next health minister, Gan Kim Yong. 'I am leaving MOH with optimism that our healthcare system will continue to make progress. I am confident because of the quality of leadership at MOH and its many world-class institutions. We are not perfect, I know. But it is not bad. It certainly offers very good value for money,' Mr Khaw said.
Khaw Boon Wan determined to make housing and HDB popular again
By UMA SHANKARI
OUTGOING Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan feels 'even greater trepidation' at heading the Ministry of National Development (MND) than when he took on his previous portfolio.
'I came to MOH (Ministry of Health) during Sars with some trepidation, not quite sure what I was walking into,' Mr Khaw wrote yesterday in his last blog post as health minister. 'I will go to MND with even greater trepidation. First, it is red-hot with widespread unhappiness. Second, unlike MOH, which is familiar territory, housing is a new frontier for me.'
But as when he took over MOH in 2003, he will enter MND 'in all sincerity' to make a useful contribution and with determination to make it better.
'I am driven by only one thought: housing is one of the greatest achievements of Singapore, and our pride. It is very sad to see it being hammered left, right and centre in the lead up to and during GE (general election),' Mr Khaw said.
'I am determined to make housing and HDB Singaporeans' popular icon again.'
Mr Khaw will be sworn in as National Development Minister today, replacing Mah Bow Tan. Analysts are expecting policy shifts from MND that will impact the HDB and mass market private housing sectors.
Mr Khaw also said in the blog post - titled 'Goodbye, My Friends' - that he hopes that Singaporeans will bear with him, and promised to work 'triply hard' to shorten the learning curve, 'listen intently' to all suggestions and criticism, and 'work humbly' with the housing experts in MND and beyond.
He also traced the major events that marked his eventful eight years with MOH.
'I joined MOH in 2003 when Sars erupted. MOH needed extra hands and then-PM Goh (Chok Tong) thought that my hospital experience would be helpful in the war against Sars,' Mr Khaw recalled.
'One thing led to the other: NKF (National Kidney Foundation), Ren Ci, H1N1, bed crunch, KTPH (Khoo Teck Puat Hospital), MediShield Reform, ElderShield, Medisave liberalisation, means testing, second medical school etc.' He added that there were many more things he wanted to do in MOH, such as transform the long-term care sector, ensure nursing home affordability, reform ElderShield, set up a third medical school, and expand polyclinics.
But he would entrust this agenda to the next health minister, Gan Kim Yong. 'I am leaving MOH with optimism that our healthcare system will continue to make progress. I am confident because of the quality of leadership at MOH and its many world-class institutions. We are not perfect, I know. But it is not bad. It certainly offers very good value for money,' Mr Khaw said.
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