Singapore has been fortunate that Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam chose to serve the country on many occasions, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the launch of the former president and deputy prime minister's memoir on his political journey.
Speaking at the event on March 12, PM Lee said he hoped the book would inspire more to follow in Dr Tan's footsteps to come forward and lead Singapore into a better future.
PM Lee recalled the times he worked closely with Dr Tan, adding that he always valued his views.
Dr Tan was first convinced by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to join politics in 1979, despite being initially determined to stay in the banking sector.
After retiring from Mr Lee's Cabinet as education minister, he was persuaded to come back as deputy prime minister and defence minister in 1995 to help shore up then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's Cabinet.
And despite wanting to retire during PM Lee Hsien Loong's time at the helm, he agreed to PM Lee's request to stay on a while longer, and volunteered to helm research and development policy.
The book titled Tony Tan Keng Yam: My Political Journey is published by Straits Times Press and co-authored by Dr Tan and former Straits Times journalist Leslie Koh.
PM Lee was guest of honour at the book launch, held at the Singapore Management University's Administration Building function room.
Dr Tan's book covers his personal perspective of national policymaking and decision-making, and reflects on difficult decisions made during his political career, such as scrapping the graduate mothers' priority scheme and the 1986 Central Provident Fund rate cut.
PM Lee said the memoir was readable and insightful. In particular, younger readers will benefit from an inside view of Singapore's nation-building journey from someone who was intimately involved in getting Singapore to where it is today and who had contributed so much to the nation's success, he added.
This story is from the March 13, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 13, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
COD IS KING IN PORTUGAL
Salt cod has long been a national staple in Portugal, where it is said there are as many recipes for this humble fish as there are days in the year.
Comedian Mark Lee's drag queen comedy Number 1's sequel to be released over CNY
The hit drag queen comedy Number 1, which landed Singaporean comedian Mark Lee a Best Leading Actor nomination at the Golden Horse Awards in 2020, will soon return for a sequel.
Lion King prequel falls prey to Sonic the Hedgehog at box office
LOS ANGELES - Disney's mighty lion Mufasa... eaten alive by a hedgehog? Action-adventure comedy film Sonic The Hedgehog 3, directed by Jeff Fowler, collected roughly US$62 million (US$84 million) in its first weekend in North American theatres, according to Comscore, which compiles box-office data.
Jang Na-ra bags grand prize at K-drama awards show
South Korean singer and actress Jang Na-ra and trot singer Lee Chan-won wrapped up 2024 triumphantly, taking home top honours at drama and entertainment awards ceremonies held over the weekend.
Lively's co-stars show her support
Blake Lively sexual harassment lawsuit
Macau diversifying beyond casinos into sports, culture, arts
MACAU - \"The most exciting thing for me is riding on a circuit like this - there's nothing else like it in the world,\" said 52-year-old British motorcycle racer Michael Rutter about the Guia Circuit in Macau.
Turning snow into gold
China's winter sports boom is expected to propel its ice-and-snow economy past $187 billion in 2025
Baring it all in Germany's spa towns
Celebrate the country's hot springs and history of wellness at Baden-Baden, Bad Homburg and Wiesbaden
One of the toughest tables to book in Paris? It's in Disneyland
As soon as we booked the Eurostar from London to Paris, we began scouting the most important element of our trip: where to eat.
In Scotland to taste a CULINARY RENAISSANCE
A new generation of entrepreneurs and chefs is showcasing traditional and contemporary Scottish cuisine