From humble beginnings in a Malaysian village, George Goh life narrative is nothing short of inspiring. Born as the seventh of nine children in a small kampung in Negeri Sembilan, Goh’s early years were marked by poverty, sacrifice, and struggles. His parents had to surrender two of their daughters because they couldn’t afford to raise them. A younger sibling died at infancy due to a lack of funds for medical care.
Young George questioned whether his family would ever break free from the chains of poverty. It was a question that lingered and ultimately shaped the trajectory of his life. A chance to escape came in the form of a job opportunity in Singapore in the 1970s, leading him to relocate from his childhood home. His eventual Singaporean citizenship in 1990 marked a significant milestone in his journey.
George Goh, now 63, is known for his various roles as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, diplomat, and youth mentor. Recently, he declared his intention to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming Singaporean Presidential Election, closely following Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s similar announcement. Goh aims to compete with a clean slate, highlighting his lack of prior political affiliations as a strength.
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A successful entrepreneur, Goh is the chairman of Ossia International, a retailer specializing in footwear, sports, and fashion listed on the Singapore Exchange. He is also the founder of Harvey Norman Ossia, credited for bringing the Australian electronic appliances retailer to the region.
Goh’s life wasn’t always filled with such accomplishments. As a teenager, he lived with his family in a wooden house with a zinc-panelled roof, without running water or electricity. To earn lunch money, young Goh would sell sugarcane juice at bus terminals, among other odd jobs. Recognizing the stagnation in his family’s financial situation, he decided to leave school to start earning.
His first job in Singapore was as a general worker at a shoe factory in Geylang, earning a weekly salary of just S$15. Goh’s time at the factory wasn’t solely devoted to his general work duties. He seized the opportunity to learn shoe-making from his colleagues.
By 1982, he co-owned a small shoe factory, De’classici, a name inspired by the suggestion of a business partner to add a touch of France and Italy to their brand. This venture was just the first of many successful businesses to come. Goh, along with his brothers, established Ossia Trading, importing and exporting shoes across Asia.
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The Goh brothers expanded their business, gradually encompassing sporting goods, fashion, luggage, and outdoor products. By 1996, their company, rebranded as Ossia International, was listed on the Singapore Exchange. Today, Goh holds 57 directorships in Singapore-registered companies.
Despite his success, Goh hasn’t forgotten his roots. He and his wife founded Border Mission in 2015, a charity aimed at aiding the less fortunate in Singapore and the Himalayas. This venture underscores his dedication to giving back to the community and his personal understanding of the struggles of poverty.
In addition to his business ventures, Goh is passionate about music. He received a degree in opera and classical music and continues to serve as a choir member at his church. His religious faith, nurtured by church members during his early days at the shoe factory, remains a vital part of his life.
Goh’s diplomatic role began in June 2017, when he was appointed Singapore’s non-resident ambassador to Morocco. In his tenure, he established the Honorary Consulate-General office in Casablanca in February 2020, promoting bilateral ties and safeguarding the interests of Singaporeans in Morocco. With his Moroccan counterpart Ouadia Benabdellah, he founded the Moroccan Chamber of Commerce in Singapore to boost investments and business connections. His term was extended in September 2020, illustrating the impact of his contributions.
However, in anticipation of his upcoming election run, Goh tendered his resignation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 9 this year. His journey from a poverty-stricken Malaysian village to potentially becoming the president of Singapore, is a testament to his resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to creating a better life for himself and others.
From poverty, through hardship, to entrepreneurship and philanthropy, George Goh is now on the cusp of adding another chapter to his illustrious story – that of a potential presidency. It’s a journey that embodies hope, resilience, and the power of dreaming big, regardless of the circumstances of one’s birth.
This inspiring story is based on a report from the Malay Mail.
