Serving Singapore

This book by a pioneer generation civil servant is a fascinating and an engaging account of Singapore's spectacular development from a sleepy backwater village to a first world State within a single generation and defying, in the process, all odds against its survival. This story is unique in many ways and starts right at the beginning when Singapore became a self-governing State in 1959, the same year the author entered the civil service. The author's involvement and participation in the detailed planning of pioneering policies, the strategies adopted and their implementation at the ground level by many front line ministries and institutions, in which he has served for more than four decades, have given him a unique hands-on experience and observations derived in working from the inside — in areas ranging from slum clearance to representing the State overseas. The story also details how the cooperation between an honest and visionary leadership and the citizenry created an effective professional, proactive and productive public administration, which excelled in service delivery at home, and enabled the State to punch above its weight globally, overcoming at the same time many political, economic and security challenges, amongst others, and always ever mindful that nothing in the scheme of things can be taken for granted. The success achieved and the many lessons learnt therefrom have universal application and had attracted global interest.

The story is very well illustrated with compelling and illuminating insights and richly complemented by the author's anecdotal observations throughout.
Contents: Winds of ChangeChildhood DaysFirst Day at WorkCivil Servants Get the ShockPolitical EducationInitial ReformsBuilding a NationThe Battle for MergerSojourn in Malaysia: A Failed VentureForever Independent & SovereignRecognition & International RoleSwimming Against the CurrentSetting High StandardsForm Versus SubstanceRelations with NeighboursSlums to Shining Metropolis'Innovate or Evaporate'Fiscal DisciplineLearning from the MasterFood in DiplomacySuccess and FailurePower of KnowledgeWestern Democracy: Can It Deliver?Singapore ModelThe Future
Readership: Readers interested in knowing the amazing story of Singapore's transformation from a sleepy backwater village to a first-world city-state.Autobiography of a Civil Servant;Singapore's Economic Development;Singapore Civil Service;Mud Huts to Metropolis;Singapore Public Sector Reforms;Governance;Insider's Story on Singapore;Visionary Leaders;Political Will;Western Democracy;Singapore Model;Public Administration;Diplomacy;Corruption;Criminalization of Politics Abuse of Power;Power of Knowledge;Social Media;Punching Above Weight;Merger;Innovation;Nation Building;Rule of Law;Fiscal Discipline;The Future0Key Features:It is a unique treatment of the challenges and problems at the practical level, including how the policies and strategies were implemented on the ground which caused hardship and sometimes even distress to people affected and, yet, the government was able to earn their trust by a comprehensive and fair package of measures to uplift their economic and social well-being in the long termMuch of the detailed work and experience, the problem faced on the ground in daily face-to-face dealings with the people and how they were dealt with have not been publishedIt is a recognition and tribute to those in the pioneer generation who sacrificed much in order that succeeding generations could enjoy a better life than themselves