Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, the seventh President of Singapore from 2011-2017, and Honorary Patron and Distinguished Senior Fellow at SMU, launched his book, “Tony Tan Keng Yam: My Political Journey”, at SMU on Tuesday, 12 March 2024.
Co-authored with former journalist Leslie Koh and published by Straits Times Press, the book offers a candid and insightful account of Dr Tan’s journey in politics and public service, spanning some four decades.
The launch of Dr Tan’s book was officiated by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who was the Guest of Honour of the event.
The event was also graced by Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Professor S. Jayakumar, Chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers and SMU Pro-Chancellor Mr Eddie Teo, SMU foundingChairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping, SMU Chairman Mr Piyush Gupta and SMU President Professor Lily Kong.
In his opening address at the book’s launch, PM Lee recalled the occasions on which he has worked closely with Dr Tan and lauded Dr Tan for his exemplary leadership and integrity.
He said, “There can be no doubt about Dr Tan’s immense contributions to Singapore. But what if he had not answered the call to serve? He writes that back in 1979, he had been determined to stay in the banking sector and turn down Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s call to join politics. But one sentence from Mr Lee changed everything: “If good people don’t go into politics, bad people will”. We are fortunate that Dr Tan eventually chose to serve.”
PM Lee hoped that Dr Tan’s book would inspire more people to follow in his footsteps, to come forward and lead Singapore into a better future.
A glimpse into decision making, and a beacon for the next generation
The book gives a behind-the-scenes look at key decisions and policy changes in the fields of education, finance, security and defence through his years in government and public service from Dr Tan’s perspective. Encapsulated within are his insights – the lessons learned during the journey of building and growing a nation, including deliberations behind the overhaul of the education in 1979, the scrapping of the graduate mothers’ priority scheme, the 1986 Central Provident Fund rate cut, and his entry into the 2011 presidential race.
In his speech, Dr Tan said “I hope that some of the lessons we had learnt in the past might be of value to the next generation of citizens and leaders.” He went on to state his hopes that reading about the problem-solving and policy-making approaches the government had used would help the next generation be better prepared to face any crisis that Singapore might face in future.
Sharing her thoughts after the event, SMU President Lily Kong shared how Dr Tan’s modest reflections in the book had inspired her. “Far from a mere fulfilment of duties, his leadership exemplified a visionary approach that shaped Singapore's educational, financial, security, and defence infrastructure,” she ruminated.
“Despite his extensive experience navigating the challenges of post-independence nationhood, Dr Tan acknowledged that COVID-19 was a time when Singapore had to figure out things on the spot, with no example, textbook, or fixed formula to follow. We can say with certainty the stories and lessons preserved in Dr Tan’s book will prove invaluable to the next generation!”
