On Lee Kuan Yew’s Sentosa nudist colony idea, being a ‘seat warmer’ and the politician he’d never speak to: former Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong tells all in his new book
- Tall Order: The Goh Chok Tong Story is a portrait of Singapore’s second prime minister trying to find his own voice in the shadow of his predecessor
As the book puts it, he was an improbable prime minister for an unlikely country – he had neither the connections nor the cunning to rise to the top. He was an ordinary man, except for his imposing 1.89 metre height, uncommon in Asia.
His government career was marked by domestic policy wins and successes in expanding Singapore’s economic space overseas. But it was also fraught with political stumbles and humiliation by Lee, a man he described as both his mentor and kung fu master.
The book, written by Singaporean journalist Peh Shing Huei, is available on Amazon.com and in major bookstores across Asia. Here are excerpts of the book and selected Q&A with Goh.
Chapter 10: This is Me
But Lee Kuan Yew was not done yet. A week later, during a forum with students at the National University of Singapore (NUS), he brought up the topic of leadership succession. In particular, he explained and elaborated on his criticisms of Goh. “If I am just one paean of praise, it’s like selling detergent, it’s a waste of time,” he said.
