Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong revealed on Thursday (12 Dec) that he has completed his interviews for the second volume of an authorised biography that is being written by former Straits Times journalist Peh Shing Huei.
The first volume of the authorised biography, entitled ‘Tall Order: The Goh Chok Tong Story’, was released late last year and covered Mr Goh’s life up until the point he becomes the nation’s second Prime Minister in 1990.
The second volume is expected to cover the rest of Mr Goh’s life and career after he succeeded founding PM Lee Kuan Yew to become head of Government.
Revealing that he completed his last interview for the second volume, ESM Goh wrote on Facebook that he marked the completion of his interviews by treating Peh Shing Huei and his team to lunch. Sharing photos from the lunch, the ruling party politician wrote:
“Did my last interview with Peh Shing Huei for vol 2 of Tall Order. Marked it by hosting lunch for the team at Alma by Juan Amador at Goodwood Park Hotel. Good food, wonderful spirits but empty glasses.”
https://www.facebook.com/MParader/posts/3528279623881345?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDcPG1Le73QBtthWweGjV3viP44lWQM-yNtCjW_oj4opCgvYJMKSOoOlgmjefPsMPD7CQiEaINaTMd3wH0mqFUJKVOsy6l6JGt2vizrJYb75Rcjs34OtH1gDASRcuouwdMb0f8m-ENv_uIkecG-IJN-6UiOFEJRN4x031Dy1KvIebClFLmN2l3p0bJYERMCP2F5-tjVncBTG_8_rdE_4Jy3sLpXOkwoUtPtNvkI7YB6831EOFQUdXWLu-c86BAoKOAWetRnfK3GL3kKEs-ngVSPSTQ70dNga7iMg96csLesLIf6MMYfZapHUILVfpxGzICpqoTLjsak3sy-9syrdHfEGg&__tn__=-R
The first volume of the biography garnered immense hype after excerpts covering Mr Goh’s thoughts on Lee Kuan Yew, his family members and veteran opposition figures were released online.
The first volume has also sold very well. On Sunday, ESM Goh revealed that the first volume of the biography was voted online by readers as the most popular non-fiction read of 2019.
He added: “Many readers have told me that they enjoyed the book. Shing Huei and I are now working on Vol 2. I hope readers will find it meaningful as well. I had to make many tough calls as PM. Shing Huei probed me on my thought processes and emotions during those moments where the buck stopped with me.
“The book will provide a deeper understanding of Singapore’s political development through my eyes and Shing Huei’s pen. It is due to be out in the second half of next year.”
“I THOUGHT OF HSIEN YANG FOR POLITICS BUT HE WOULD BE OUTSHONE BY HIS BROTHER”: GOH CHOK TONG