S. Rajaratnam, The Authorised Biography, Volume Two: The Lion’s Roar
S. Rajaratnam, The Authorised Biography, Volume Two: The Lion’s Roar

Author: Irene Ng

Publisher: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

Published: 2024-07-03

Total Pages: 824

ISBN-13: 9815104659

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S. Rajaratnam, one of Singapore’s core founding fathers and its first Foreign Minister, was a man of ideas, ideals and action. In engaging prose, Irene Ng, bestselling author of the first volume of Rajaratnam’s biography, The Singapore Lion, reveals—as never before—how Rajaratnam changed the course of his country’s history, often by the sheer force of his ideas and will. The second volume, The Lion’s Roar, begins with his struggles during Singapore’s traumatic years in Malaysia from 1963 to 1965. Informed by decades of research, numerous interviews, and access to Mr. Rajaratnam’s private and government papers, the book gives new insight into his personality and priorities as he was confronted with Singapore’s sudden independence, which left the island exposed to all the calamities of a vulnerable state. The book relates in fine narrative and analytical detail the evolution of Singapore’s foundational ideals and values as well as its foreign policy principles and strategies. Through its pages, we follow him as he transformed Singapore’s relations with its neighbours, co-founded ASEAN, and rallied the regional grouping to oppose the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia. We look over his shoulder as he drafted what would become Singapore’s National Pledge. We witness his political skills as labour minister as he steered through the most far-reaching labour reform in the nation’s history and laid the foundation for Singapore’s unique cooperative model of tripartism. And we experience Rajaratnam’s final years, when he faced the end of his life with the same courage that he brought to every battle he ever fought. More than merely the definitive biography of Rajaratnam, the book is also a story about the human condition; about what individuals, given genius, courage and willpower, can achieve beyond what most thought is possible, and what people and nations will endure if they have inspirational and moral leadership.

The Singapore Lion
The Singapore Lion

Author: Irene Ng

Publisher: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 625

ISBN-13: 981427951X

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"Irene Ng has written a book that gives a comprehensive portrayal of Mr Rajaratnam - one of Singapore's outstanding leaders who played a crucial part in the momentous and crisis-ridden transition to iindependence. This is a book about the man and his wisdom. One would fail to appreciate him until one reads this absorbing book and reflects on the acuity and breadth of his insights and his wisdom." - S. R. Nathan, President of Singapore "In the course of a thirty-three year career in diplomacy, I met many great leaders. Having done so, I can confidently assert that S. Rajaratnam was one of the greatest leaders I met. Sadly, few in Singapore understand how great Rajaratnam was. This well-researched comprehensive volume by Irene Ng therefore fills a real need. Both Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans will benefit a lot from reading it." - Kishore Mahbubani, Dean, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore "Rajaratnam is one of the founding fathers of modern Singapore. He was Singapore's first and longest serving foreign minister. He was a rebel and a revolutionary. He was an intellectual and a man of action. In this wonderful book, Irene Ng tells the story of this remarkable leader of Singapore. I found the book both enjoyable and insightful." - Tommy Koh, Ambassador-At-Large, Singapore

S. Rajaratnam
S. Rajaratnam

Author: Sinnathamby Rajaratnam

Publisher:

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 584

ISBN-13:

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S. Rajaratnam is a journalist, political activist, party ideologue, cabinet minister and senior statesman in Singapore's People's Action Party government. This book containing the selected speeches and writings of one of the four central figures in the PAP first-generation leadership and certainly its most prolific propagandist, is a vital document of the political thinking, strategy and goals of the leadership which shaped the development and destiny of independent Singapore. In his political career, which is as old as the PAP itself, Rajaratnam carved a special place in Singapore's history as the republic's first Foreign Minister. His speeches on the Great Powers, non-alignment, regional politics in Southeast Asia, ASEAN and regional cooperation, eloquently posit an interesting perspective on behalf of new states in their search for security and prosperity in a hostile and fluid international environment. This book will be of great importance and value to all those interested in the discussion of nation-building, political leadership, the politics of Singapore and the strategy of survival for small states.

Crack-Up Capitalism
Crack-Up Capitalism

Author: Quinn Slobodian

Publisher: Metropolitan Books

Published: 2023-04-04

Total Pages: 222

ISBN-13: 1250753902

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A Fortune best nonfiction book of 2023 In a revelatory dispatch from the frontier of capitalist extremism, an acclaimed historian of ideas shows how free marketeers are realizing their ultimate goal: an end to nation-states and the constraints of democracy. Look at a map of the world and you’ll see a colorful checkerboard of nation-states. But this is not where power actually resides. Over the last decade, globalization has shattered the map into different legal spaces: free ports, tax havens, special economic zones. With the new spaces, ultracapitalists have started to believe that it is possible to escape the bonds of democratic government and oversight altogether. Crack-Up Capitalism follows the most notorious radical libertarians—from Milton Friedman to Peter Thiel—around the globe as they search for the perfect space for capitalism. Historian Quinn Slobodian leads us from Hong Kong in the 1970s to South Africa in the late days of apartheid, from the neo-Confederate South to the former frontier of the American West, from the medieval City of London to the gold vaults of right-wing billionaires, and finally into the world’s oceans and war zones, charting the relentless quest for a blank slate where market competition is unfettered by democracy. A masterful work of economic and intellectual history, Crack-Up Capitalism offers both a new way of looking at the world and a new vision of coming threats. Full of rich details and provocative analysis, Crack-Up Capitalism offers an alarming view of a possible future.

Accidental Diplomat, The: The Autobiography Of Maurice Baker
Accidental Diplomat, The: The Autobiography Of Maurice Baker

Author: Maurice Baker

Publisher: World Scientific

Published: 2014-07-25

Total Pages: 301

ISBN-13: 9814618330

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“For the life of a diplomat is often a variation of routine boredom and exhilarating crises.”Maurice Baker is an academic and one of Singapore's pioneer diplomats. Growing up in colonial-governed Malaya and Singapore, his profound love for great literature works inspired him to obtain an honors in English from King's college, London in 1948 despite the cruelties faced during and after the Second World War. Baker's humble beginnings and political consciousness earned him the friendship and respect of many diplomats during his missions to India in 1967, Malaysia in 1969, Philippines in 1977 and back to Malaysia in 1980 before retiring from his career as a diplomat in 1988. Between his diplomatic missions, Baker returned to Singapore in 1972 to head the Department of English at the University of Singapore for five years.This is Baker's story of how he came to be The Accidental Diplomat. With occasional poems and a sense of humor, he candidly recounts the colourful romances of his life to his enriching encounters of diplomatic relations. His portrayals of admiration for great leaders and men paint a vivid picture of the qualities that guided his beliefs, proving that he was by no means an “Accidental Diplomat” in the eyes of others.

S. Rajaratnam, The Authorised Biography, Volume Two
S. Rajaratnam, The Authorised Biography, Volume Two

Author: Irene Ng

Publisher:

Published: 2024-07-10

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9789815104646

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S. Rajaratnam, one of Singapore's core founding fathers and its first Foreign Minister, was a man of ideas, ideals and action. In engaging prose, Irene Ng, bestselling author of the first volume of Rajaratnam's biography, The Singapore Lion, reveals-as never before-how Rajaratnam changed the course of his country's history, often by the sheer force of his ideas and will. The second volume, The Lion's Roar, begins with his struggles during Singapore's traumatic years in Malaysia from 1963 to 1965. Informed by decades of research, numerous interviews, and access to Mr. Rajaratnam's private and government papers, the book gives new insight into his personality and priorities as he was confronted with Singapore's sudden independence, which left the island exposed to all the calamities of a vulnerable state. The book relates in fine narrative and analytical detail the evolution of Singapore's foundational ideals and values as well as its foreign policy principles and strategies. Through its pages, we follow him as he transformed Singapore's relations with its neighbours, co-founded ASEAN, and rallied the regional grouping to oppose the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia. We look over his shoulder as he drafted what would become Singapore's National Pledge. We witness his political skills as labour minister as he steered through the most far-reaching labour reform in the nation's history and laid the foundation for Singapore's unique cooperative model of tripartism. And we experience Rajaratnam's final years, when he faced the end of his life with the same courage that he brought to every battle he ever fought. More than merely the definitive biography of Rajaratnam, the book is also a story about the human condition; about what individuals, given genius, courage and willpower, can achieve beyond what most thought is possible, and what people and nations will endure if they have inspirational and moral leadership.

Lim Chong Yah: An Autobiography - Life Journey Of A Singaporean Professor
Lim Chong Yah: An Autobiography - Life Journey Of A Singaporean Professor

Author: Chong Yah Lim

Publisher: World Scientific

Published: 2017-01-18

Total Pages: 388

ISBN-13: 9813203064

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Why are some nations rich and others poor? Why do the citizens of some countries lead a happy, prosperous life while others struggle in terrible want?This book takes the reader through the eventful life journey of one of Singapore's best known economists and educators, Professor Lim Chong Yah. Born in Malacca, the author planted tapioca to feed himself and his family, caught fish in paddy fields and was thrown in jail as a 10-year-old during the war. He fought to win a Commonwealth scholarship to get a decent education, met the love of his life at a Chinese New Year party, became a Professor at two of the best universities in Asia, and went on to write one the most widely-used economics textbooks of the time, Elements of Economic Theory.At 84, Lim Chong Yah is as feisty, indomitable and curious as when he was a small, cheeky boy catching fighting fish in those paddy fields. And he still asks the fundamental question of how each of us can make a difference.

Biography & Autobiography
Biography & Autobiography

Author: Ku Swee Yong

Publisher: Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd

Published: 2016-02-15

Total Pages: 198

ISBN-13: 9814751499

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Ku Swee Yong’s Real Estate Riches, Building Your Real Estate Riches and Real Estate Realities have become a valuable resource for property investors in Singapore during the past few years. In his new book, he takes stock of the prolonged downturn and weak market conditions and offers useful defensive strategies in the face of supply gluts and weakening prices. The lead article warns of potential risks arising from an extremely high rate of home ownership in Singapore, followed by frank insights into various local property segments. The book also includes illuminating coverage on some regional markets which he recommends investors to look into. Backed by solid research and astute observations, Weathering A Property Market Downturn is a sobering read that portends a scenario where massive supply overhangs will drive prices markedly down. Addressing current issues faced by property investors through a collection of articles previously published in Today, The Business Times and The Edge, he offers qualified and invaluable observations on public and private properties, mixed developments, luxury estates and overseas properties

Steering a Middle Course
Steering a Middle Course

Author: Sarwono Kusumaatmadja

Publisher: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

Published: 2020-08-17

Total Pages: 280

ISBN-13: 981488166X

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Born with motor impairment, Sarwono Kusumaatmadja grew up with low self-esteem. Yet, within this awkward, shy boy lay a steely resolve to overcome his weaknesses. It was this same resolve that propelled him to study at high school in the United Kingdom, thousands of miles from his native land. Navigating life on his own in the UK forged Sarwono into an independent and resilient individual; one who never flinched in the face of challenges, but also one who never wanted to play the hero either. His unique character and integrity acted like a magnet for opportunities back home in Indonesia. He was chosen to be Chairman of the University Student Council of the Bandung Institute of Technology even though he did not campaign for it. And when he made it into the national parliament, it was at the behest of the military. He then became Secretary General of Golkar, the country’s ruling party, without having to pull any strings. In taking on all the opportunities that came his way, Sarwono remained true to himself, which later meant saying no to President Soeharto when the latter tried to recruit him to be part of his inner circle.