7/06/2007

A biography of Goh Keng Swee

Before it is out controversy has already started. The wife does not want it published, claiming that it did not have his consent and thus disrespectful. The daughter in law claimed that Keng Swee did not object to it. Under normal circumstances, a book on the life of our pioneering leaders should be welcomed to shed light on the making of a giant and his contributions to the making of Singapore. It is part of Singapore's history and should belong to the people. Why would the wife want to distant herself and Keng Swee from the book? Are there unpleasant things that should not be there and it is better to say it out front first? Or is it the wish of Keng Swee that he does not want it to be seen as an ego trip while he is still alive? Definitely it is not a publicity stunt like another Harry Potter's magical book. All of Harry's books came out with a big bang and were instantly snapped up. Would Keng Swee's book be in the top sellers list? Or like he said, who would want to read about him? Let the people decide.

9 comments:

  1. ~ Hand is up ~
    Yes sir, I will like to read abt Dr Goh. :)

    Anonymous Dimwit

    ReplyDelete
  2. one thing is for sure, the book will be an assured bestseller after this publicity

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dr Goh. Dr Rajaratnam. Dr Wee Kim Wee..
    I also want to read these all.
    Bo pian. For sake of Singapore beans here, I'm a registered blogger now.

    Anonymous Dimwit.
    Non-elite.Dim future.At wit's end. ;>

    ReplyDelete
  4. in a few generations down, if we still have a prosperous singapore, the children will be reading the thoughts of goh keng swee and lky.

    and if singapore is a run down and out country, their names will still remain as legends of the past.

    we need good writers and story tellers in mediacorp to dramatise the exploits of these pioneers and turn them into legends. the americans are very good at them. the british too.

    francis drake was a pirate, if my memory is not wrong, but immortalised as the founder of penang. buffalo bill was a trader of bufallo skins. today he will be skinned by the animal lovers.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anyway, one of my local hero is:
    Major General Lim Bo Seng.

    Anonymous Dimwit.
    Non-elite.Dim future.At wit's end. ;>

    ReplyDelete
  6. I want to say that I have always felt Singapore is what it is today becos of one man, Dr Goh Keng Swee. He is also the only leader I have respect for besides the deceased Hon Sui Sen, becos these are two persons served the country with all their hearts, minds and souls without expecting anything in return. They were not power hungry.

    ReplyDelete
  7. i agree. hon sui sen is another of the rare breed. an honourable man not tainted by greed. unable to find another.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You write very well.

    ReplyDelete
  9. thanks sylvia.

    this post has been here for a very long time.

    and welcome to the blog.

    ReplyDelete