FORMER Deputy Prime Minister and Singapore's economic architect Goh Keng Swee died early on Friday morning after a long illness. He was 91.

His father, Goh Leng Inn was a manager of a rubber plantation.

Dr Goh joined the Department of

Social Welfare in 1946, and was active in post-war administration.

He resigned from the civil service in 1959 to enter politics and was elected as the People's Action Party representative for Kreta Ayer, his constituency until he retired in 1984.

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.

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 Singapore Zoological Gardens, People's Association and the Jurong Bird Park.

President SR Nathan has described the late Dr Goh Keng Swee as a great teacher.