Transformative during time of major change & crisis: New book examines Lee Hsien Loong's 20 years as PM

A new book examining the leadership and legacy of SM Lee Hsien Loong through his tenure as prime minister from 2004 to 2024 was launched on Sep. 8.

Lee Hsien Loong and Singapore details the profound changes the nation underwent during this time, including through global crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

Divided into four distinct sections, namely economic and finance policy, foreign policy, social policy and politics and society, the book is co-published by the World Scientific Publishing and the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) and edited by its senior research fellow Gillian Koh, former Straits Times opinion editor Chua Mui Hoong, and Nominated Member of Parliament Terence Ho.

The collection of essays was written by contributors ranging from policy experts, diplomats and journalists.

Among them were retired diplomat Tommy Koh, former Singapore Permanent Secretary to the United Nations Bilahari Kausikan and climate action ambassador Ravi Menon.

A time of major change

In her opening speech, Chua called SM Lee's tenure as PM "a time of major change and global crisis".

"Mr Lee led a government consisting of political holders and experienced civil servants who had to anticipate and deal with the disruptions in geopolitics and global economic forces, as well as manage social change and respond to rising political diversity and aspirations amongst Singaporeans."

The book delves into Singapore's stances amidst the global financial crisis and Covid-19 pandemic, among others.

His term saw a reassessment of existing policies to ensure the nation adapted to ongoing changes, all while upholding strategic interests to maintain sovereignty and the principles in keeping to a meritocratic and socially cohesive society, Chua added.

Other contributors similarly described this period.

When asked for a one-word description of SM Lee, Centennial Asia chief executive officer Manu Bhaskaran said "transformative".

Paulin Straughan, a professor of sociology at the Singapore Management University (SMU) said "compassion", adding that the Pioneer Generation Package, launched in 2014, is "probably one of the best social policies in the world".

She attributed the "very strong safety net" that then-PM Lee created to what she found to be a very high life satisfaction rates among Singapore’s pioneer generation, even as they struggled with chronic illnesses and low life savings.

No regrets

Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chan Heng Chee, who was one of the panellists during the book launch, responded to a question if SM Lee may have regretted not pursuing a career as a mathematician instead, given than he was said to be "the most brilliant math student" his tutor at Cambridge University had ever taught.

"He said, 'I dont think I would have been all that good or all that reliable'," she cited SM Lee as having once admitted.

"It would be just his thing to say, no [regrets]. There’s no room for regret when you are a politician."

Lee Hsien Loong and Singapore is available for purchase at Kinokuniya, Popular, and major bookstores across Singapore.