Some forumers have been running an interesting thread on Senior Minister Lee's new title when PM Goh steps down. Here are some of my faves (and please don't arrest me, *whimpers*). There were others but I thought they were either too vulgar, or in poor taste, or not witty enough, or would invite lawsuits, so I left them out:
1. Supreme Leader
2. Great Leader (Dear Leader for PM Goh)
3. Really Senior Minister (RSM)
4. Head of The Jedi Council
5. Super-Senior Minister
6. Dad
7. High Overlord
8. The One
9. Number 0 (If DPM Lee is going to be No. 1, and PM Goh is going to be No.2)
10. Sir
Business Times July 28, 2004
SM Lee: PM Goh will be No. 2 in new PM's Cabinet
SM also says he will stay on as an adviser
(SINGAPORE) Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said he will remain in the Cabinet in an advisory role when his son becomes prime minister on Aug 12, but outgoing Premier Goh Chok Tong will take over from him as 'number two'.
Asked whether he would remain as senior minister when Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong takes over the reins, SM Lee said: 'Mr Goh Chok Tong will be the number two in the new government'.
The comment suggests that Mr Goh will become senior minister, a powerful cabinet post without portfolio.
SM Lee said his own title in the new cabinet would be decided by his son, though what it would be did not matter.
He said he saw his role as 'a consultant, a counsellor, an adviser'.
'My worth does not depend on what I am called but on my standing with Singaporeans and the weight they give to my views. Abroad, my established ties with foreign leaders can be of value.
'I am still compos mentis (of sound mind) fortunately.'
The senior Lee handed the prime ministership to Mr Goh, who is now 63, in 1990 but remained in the Cabinet with the title of Senior Minister. He referred to himself in the interview as the 'number two' in the outgoing cabinet.
