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jwsg's review
3.0
A compilation of some of Ngiam Tong Dow's speeches and public interviews, A Mandarin and the Making of Public Policy provides a glimpse not only of one of Singapore's former top civil servants, but into policymaking during Singapore's early years. The book is divided into three broad sections. The first covers Ngiam's reflections on Singapore's early development and his personal journey through three interviews with Susan Long, Melanie Chew and Sonny Yap. The second section delves into different policy domains - jobs and housing; land and infrastructure; MNCs and markets; ASEAN economic cooperation; education, etc - based on a series of lectures Ngiam gave to visiting Chinese officials at NTU. The third section draws together a range of speeches Ngiam gave to various audiences, from The Economic Society of Singapore and Ministry of Finance staff, to a Pontiac Land-IPS Thought Leaders luncheon and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce.
It's a fascinating read. LKY's writings provide you with an understanding of Singapore's development from the perspective of the leader who was instrumental in driving many of the changes. A Mandarin and the Making of Public Policy lends the perspective of a civil servant who supported the political leadership in its efforts to create a viable nation. Being a compilation of speeches and interviews, the book is a quick and punchy read, all the more so given Ngiam's insights and analyses about what Singapore did right, what Singapore could do better/differently, and his anecdotes about leaders such as Goh Keng Swee, Hon Sui Sen and Lee Kuan Yew. But precisely because it is a compilation, you will find certain anecdotes and examples repeated a few times e.g. the introduction of GST, certain anecdotes about Goh Keng Swee, the battle over the development of the MRT, etc.
It's a fascinating read. LKY's writings provide you with an understanding of Singapore's development from the perspective of the leader who was instrumental in driving many of the changes. A Mandarin and the Making of Public Policy lends the perspective of a civil servant who supported the political leadership in its efforts to create a viable nation. Being a compilation of speeches and interviews, the book is a quick and punchy read, all the more so given Ngiam's insights and analyses about what Singapore did right, what Singapore could do better/differently, and his anecdotes about leaders such as Goh Keng Swee, Hon Sui Sen and Lee Kuan Yew. But precisely because it is a compilation, you will find certain anecdotes and examples repeated a few times e.g. the introduction of GST, certain anecdotes about Goh Keng Swee, the battle over the development of the MRT, etc.
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