#866: NMP Kenneth Goh Challenges Ministerial Pay Debate & Why Athletes Are Blamed For Losing

Haresh (0:00)

He once held Singapore's national records in the 50 and 100 meter breaststroke. Today, he is an SMU Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, President of Singapore Aquatics, and a nominated member of Parliament. He is Kenneth Goh. And during a recent debate about ministerial salaries, Kenneth was one of those who questioned the rationale used.

Kenneth Goh (0:21)

I hear their stories, I hear their experiences, being in the public eye under this intense public scrutiny. And to me, that requires compensating premium. It shouldn't be discounted, it should be a premium.

Haresh (0:32)

He also pushed for something harder to measure than a paycheck.

Kenneth Goh (0:36)

But this is the public service ethos we embody, right? You can't put a price on it.

Haresh (0:42)

And even he admits not everyone loved hearing it.

Kenneth Goh (0:46)

But for some of the points that I made, I know they would not go down well with the masses. But if I don't say it, who will say it?

Haresh (0:54)

Here at Yah Lah But, we like to bring on guests who are experts in their field. But often it feels like the tech world is advancing so fast, there are too many people to speak to and not enough airtime. That's why we are going to Tech Week on 29th and 30th September at MBS. It is the most important tech event for businesses in Asia. Over four whole floors, Tech Week will combine the coolest innovations across five key areas of tech. You got AI, Cloud, Data, Cybersecurity and DevOps. And you'll get to hear from people at Google DeepMind, NVIDIA and Interpol, amongst many others. Because who better to tell you about the tech than the people working on the front line? And it's not only about speakers either. We went last year and met so many awesome people. Not just your regulars like you and me, but CEOs, startups, researchers, people who are basically doing seriously cool stuff. And guess what? It's free. One pass gives you access to everything. Just head to the link in the show notes to register. And now, on to the podcast.

What's up, everybody? Welcome to another episode of Yah Lah.

Terence (1:58)

Ba ba ba ba.

Haresh (1:59)

Your thrice weekly podcast where we talk about the hottest news with a touch of what? Terence.

Terence (2:03)

Good old humor.

Haresh (2:04)

Good old humor, man. Today, a special episode because we have someone who was part of a debate that took over Singapore.

Terence (2:12)

Very recently.

Haresh (2:13)

Yeah, very recently. It was the debate on ministerial salaries, which happened in parliament. Today, we have with us someone who we feel gave a very good speech as an NMP.

It is Professor Kenneth Goh, who is an SMU Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, and also President of Singapore Aquatics and current NMP.

Kenneth Goh (2:34)

Thank you.

Haresh (2:34)

What's up, Kenneth?

Kenneth Goh (2:35)

What's up, guys?

Terence (2:36)

Welcome to Yah Lah But.

Kenneth Goh (2:37)

Thank you. Thank you. It's great to be here. Thank you for the invitation.

Terence (2:40)

We wanted to chat with you about your role at Singapore Aquatics. But I think you took the Yah Lah But mind space by storm, because of your speech that you gave in Parliament as NMP or so. Did you know about Kenneth before his speech, like this past Thursday?

Haresh (2:59)

Yeah. I know when we were discussing the nine NMPs that got sworn in, there was one Terence, two Kenneths and one Haresh.

That's one thing, aside from the accolades.

Kenneth Goh (3:09)

There are three Kenneths in Parliament and we have taken a toilet selfie together.

Haresh (3:13)

Oh really? Kenneth Seong, Kenneth Goh and Kenneth Goh.

Terence (3:17)

Is toilet the only place you can take selfies or is it?

Kenneth Goh (3:20)

Toilet is the only place you can take a toilet selfie. The name, Terence.

Haresh (3:25)

Yes, Professor. The Professor just schooled you, Terence.

Kenneth Goh (3:28)

Come on, get on with it.

Haresh (3:30)

Then have you taken a Goh selfie? Because there are a lot of Gohs also.

Kenneth Goh (3:34)

Not yet, not yet. These things are not planned. It just happens. So if we are all in the restroom together, that's...

Haresh (3:42)

Whose idea was it to take the selfie?

Terence (3:45)

Well... Private, private.

Haresh (3:47)

Because it's one of those things like, if you're in the toilet...

Kenneth Goh (3:49)

Who do you think is crazy enough to come up with ideas like that? It's like you have, I mean, and to also come to a podcast like this.

Terence (3:57)

Yeah.

Haresh (3:57)