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Thu, Jan 13, 2011
AsiaOne
MM Lee shares views of
S'pore's future in new book
WHAT are the hard truths or facts about Singapore that cannot be
changed, and that make it critical for the nation to have a strong,
effective government and stable society?
In a new book to be launched later this month, Minister
Mentor Lee Kuan Yew will share his insights about this
issue, together with topics ranging from the future of
Singapore's political system, relations with neighbouring
countries, immigration, the rise of China and India, to climate
change.
Titled "Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths to keep Singapore going", the
book is based on 16 interviews with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew by
journalists from The Straits Times (ST).
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During the interviews
which took place over 10-months, MM Lee also spoke at length about
his family, children and grandchildren, offering a unique glimpse
into his personal life.
Straits Times Editor Han Fook Kwang, who led the project, said:
"This is an important book because it's the first time MM's views
are being subjected to such extensive questioning and scrutiny in
32 hours of interviews with seven journalists from The Straits
Times. He gave us unprecedented access and time because he wanted
to reach out especially to younger Singaporeans who may be
unconvinced whether his views are still relevant in this day and
age."
The interviews began in December 2008 and continued into October
2009. They were all conducted at the Istana, beginning in the late
afternoon and lasting for over two hours. The SPH team took another
nine months to write and edit the chapters.
The result is a book that offers readers a first-hand glimpse
into the thinking and views of Mr Lee. Each of the book's 11
chapters start off with an introductory segment that puts an issue
in context, and then goes into a Q&A format. This format allows
readers to follow the cut and thrust of the conversations with Mr
Lee.
The book comes with an exclusive DVD of video footage culled
from the interviews. Explaining the team's decision to include the
DVD, Straits Times Press Executive Director Shirley Hew said:
"Seeing and hearing the cut and thrust of the conversations at the
Istana with MM in the DVD is definitely a plus for the whole book
package.
"Every pregnant pause from MM, interspersed with every incisive
question from our writers, truly makes the whole read much more
rewarding. The book and DVD set also makes for a wonderful gift and
keepsake on the history and the making of Singapore."
The title of the book Hard Truths to keep Singapore going is a
reference to Mr Lee's remark, repeated several times in the
interviews, that there are hard truths or facts about Singapore
that cannot be changed, and that make it critical for Singapore to
have a stable society and strong, effective government.
Former United States President Bill Clinton said of the book:
"In this engaging series of new interviews, Minister Mentor Lee
Kuan Yew candidly imparts his wisdom, as well as his fears, as he
contemplates Singapore's role in a rapidly changing, and profoundly
challenging, global society. An important addition to Lee Kuan
Yew's legacy, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths to keep Singapore going
illuminates his conviction that a prosperous, sustainable future
must be built upon the lessons of the past."
Younger Singaporeans given early access to the book also praised
the book. David Zhang, 24, co-founder of an Internet start-up,
found the Q&A format lively, candid and genuine, adding: "The
focus on income inequality and his views on egalitarianism and
foreign talent strike a very hot spot, especially among Singapore's
youth."
Julia Chan-Lee, assistant human resource manager, 30, said: "To
someone who has grown up abroad, this is a fascinating introduction
to MM Lee's life and ideas. The dialogue made me feel a part of the
conversation."
Undergraduate Chan Yuping, 23, said: "MM recognises that our
generation is full of individuals who are not afraid to express
themselves through their choice of music, clothing or sexuality. He
seems to have softened with age and the understanding that the
times change, inevitably so.
The book will be launched by MM Lee on 21 January at the John
Jacob Ballroom 1, The St Regis Singapore. It will be available at
leading bookstores for $39.90 (inclusive of GST) from the launch
date. Copies may also be ordered from [email protected] or
from 63198347 (May) and 63198341 (Jasmine). The book can also be
purchased online from the Straits Times Press Online Bookstore:
www.stpressbooks.com.sg from 22 January.
Thirty copies of a limited edition of the book in hard cover,
with MM Lee's signature, are available for sale at $10,000 each,
with the proceeds going to The Straits Times School Pocket Money
Fund. Donors are welcome to give more for these signed copies.
Interested buyers can email Wee Ngiap Hiang at
[email protected]
Hard Truths to keep Singapore going is the latest in a
series of books by SPH on MM Lee. The others are: Lee Kuan Yew: The
Man and His Ideas (1998), The Singapore Story (1998) and From Third
World to First (2000).
