S Rajaratnam On Singapore

This book, a compilation of key speeches and articles by the late Mr S Rajaratnam, is a tribute to one of the founding fathers of Singapore. As the country''s first foreign minister, he was pivotal in conceptualising and implementing its foreign policy. Present at the birth of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he was also instrumental in ensuring a constructive role for Singapore in regional cooperation. A staunch supporter of a multicultural society, Mr Rajaratnam envisioned the country as a cosmopolitan OC global cityOCO. The volume is divided into four thematic sections: foreign policy, ASEAN regionalism, multiculturalism, and Singapore''s history OCo broadly encompassing Mr Rajaratnam''s most important contributions to the making of modern Singapore. Also included are original research essays that reassess Mr Rajaratnam''s contributions, written by senior staff of the new S Rajaratnam School of International Studies. Sample Chapter(s). Chapter 1: S Rajaratnam and the Making of Singapore Foreign Policy (3,323 KB). Contents: Foreign Policy; ASEAN Regionalism; Multiculturalism; Singapore''s History. Readership: General readers interested in Singapore, its multiculturalism, history, regional policy and foreign policy."

Fourteen stimulating literary works that shine a new light on Singapore’s first foreign minister and one of its most eloquent and farsighted leaders—the late S. Rajaratnam. Celebrated as one of Singapore’s founding fathers, very little has been said of his literary prowess. The seven short stories, which he wrote in London in the 1940s, were previously published in various collections alongside some of the most distinguished writers in the world. Impressed by his talent, George Orwell, who at the time worked for the BBC Eastern Service, recruited Rajaratnam to contribute scripts for the network.Upon his return from London, Rajaratnam stopped writing fiction and took to journalism. Excelling in political commentary and satire, he also wrote a number of politically-charged radio scripts. This anthology collects a six-part series titled “A Nation in the Making” and another titled “Looking Forward”. All seven scripts were broadcast on Radio Malaya in 1957.

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.

"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, 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.

Singapore is a unique city-state, an economic miracle, a political phenomenon. Many marvel at her very existence. How did Singapore survive? Who built this country? What is the secret of her success?Leaders of Singapore is a fascinating account of the history and development of Singapore from 1945 to 1995, narrated in personal, forthright terms by her most prominent citizens. In a series of remarkable and revealing interviews, Singapore's most famous, most powerful and wealthiest men and women reveal the mysteries and intrigues of the past, describe the triumphs and tragedies which shaped their lives, and share their strategies for success and achievement.This is a pioneering work. It goes beyond any other work in exploring and explaining, through the voices of her people, the source of Singapore's achievements: the Leaders of Singapore and their relentless, uncompromising and often brutal fight for survival.Prominent personalities in LEADERS OF SINGAPORE include the founders of the People's Action Party: Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Keng Swee, Toh Chin Chye and S Rajaratnam, Lim Chin Siong, David Marshall, Devan Nair and Ong Pang Boon, who gathered in Lee Kuan Yew's smoke-filled Oxley Road basement, plotting revolution. They appear side-by-side with the original billionaires Lee Kong Chian, Tan Lark Sye, Tan Siak Kew, Runme Shaw, CK Tang, Ko Teck Kin, Kwek Hong Png, Ng Teng Fong, YC Chang, Tan Chin Tuan and Wee Cho Yaw. and a generation of nation-builders, activists, and artists who braved the initial shock of independence in 1966, and worked to ensure that Singapore survived, thrived, and prospered. Singapore's sages — men like Lim Kim San, Michael Wong Pakshong, Wee Chong Jin, Lim Chong Yah, Arthur Lim and Liu Kang — describe their challenges, failures and successes, and share nuggets of wisdom on survival, success, and life.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a miracle. Why?In an era of growing cultural pessimism, many thoughtful individuals believe that different civilisations-especially Islam and the West-cannot live together in peace. The ten countries of ASEAN provide a thriving counter-example of civilizational co-existence. Here 625m people live together in peace. This miracle was delivered by ASEAN.In an era of growing economic pessimism, where many young people believe that their lives will get worse in coming decades, Southeast Asia bubbles with optimism. In an era where many thinkers predict rising geopolitical competition and tension, ASEAN regularly brings together all the world's great powers.Stories of peace are told less frequently than stories of conflict and war. ASEAN's imperfections make better headlines than its achievements. But in the hands of thinker and writer Kishore Mahbubani, the good news story is also a provocation and a challenge to the rest of the world.This excellent book explains, in clear and simple terms, how and why ASEAN has become one of the most successful regional organizations in the world. - George YeoA powerful and passionate account of how, against all odds, ASEAN transformed the region and why Asia and the world need it even more today. - Amitav Acharya