MR LIM Chin Joo's letter ('Chin Siong story in book was admitted
to be false in 1966'; Dec 31) incorrectly suggests that the
National Library Board (NLB) failed in its duty to the public by
allowing falsehoods to be perpetuated.
Mr Lim's suggestion is based on the mistaken belief that the
book, Chronicle Of Singapore: Fifty Years Of Headline News
(1959-2009), was co-published by the NLB. It was not. The book was
published solely by Editions Didier Millet.
EDM had earlier published similar books in Thailand and Malaysia
and came up with the idea of having one for Singapore. To enable us
to obtain material for the book, we requested NLB permission to
access its library materials. The NLB kindly agreed.
Once access was granted, we researched and selected stories for
inclusion in the book, including the item which Mr Lim had raised.
After the selection, we completely rewrote the materials. We were
also wholly responsible for the conceptualisation, design and
production work of the book.
In the circumstances, the NLB did not co-publish, much less
perpetuate any alleged falsehood.
Far from failing to discharge its duties, in granting us access,
the NLB was in fact complying with its duty under the National
Library Board Act to provide a repository for library materials,
including newspapers, to facilitate access to such materials.
In the book, we acknowledge the NLB as co-publisher, not to
suggest that it had any role in publishing the book, but to thank
it for its assistance in granting us access to the materials.
Charles Orwin
General Manager
Editions Didier Millet