As non-resident ambassador to Morocco, I was appointed by state and had no exec powers: George Goh
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Presidential hopeful George Goh (centre), accompanied by his wife Lysa Sumali, speaking to residents at Haig Road Market and Food Centre on July 30.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
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SINGAPORE - Presidential hopeful George Goh
The businessman, who was appointed as Singapore’s NRA to Morocco in June 2017 and resigned from the post recently to ensure his independence as a candidate, said that the role was “an honorary position with no executive powers”.
He did not receive any salary or benefit from taking it, but said it was an honour to represent Singapore and to be appointed by the state.
“But a non-resident ambassador (does not have) executive power. We need to be clear. We can’t just go to the country and promise all kinds of deals or executive contracts. We just represent Singapore and (to) the country like Morocco, we make sure that the relationship between the two is solid and good,” he said.
Mr Goh was speaking to reporters during his visit to Haig Road Market and Food Centre at lunchtime on Sunday.
He said he had been asked to take up the NRA position, but did not reveal who had made the request.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan had said in an earlier interview that the NRA scheme allowed Singapore to expand its potential talent pool, since ambassadors must be Singapore citizens and the ministry is not a large one.
Having a corps of non-resident ambassadors drawn from the private sector also enriched the dialogue and the access to talent and ideas for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said.
Mr Goh, who spent about 1½ hours at Haig Road Market and Food Centre, spoke to stallholders and residents. He and his wife also stopped for lunch at the food centre, tucking into mee soto, kambing (mutton) soup and coconut juice.
“I want people to know me, who I am, because I’m from the private sector. I’m not like a public sector candidate who (is familiar to all because of) TV and the papers.
“I will do my best to explain who I am, why I’m standing for the election. My heart is for the people,” he said.
The 63-year-old stressed that there are three people hoping to compete for the presidency, not two. This comes amid online chatter that it is a two-horse race between former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam Mr Ng announced his bid on July 19
Mr Goh said the Presidential Elections Committee must be allowed to “fairly assess the situation”.
“They are very professional people. They have a big job, and I trust they will be very fair,” he said.
He added that having candidates from the private sector would show that people want change.
“We cannot continue the system of (having a candidate from) one sector alone. I think we should welcome candidates who are qualified, whether from the public sector or the private sector.”
