Policy, Fairness and Compassion

by K. Shanmugam

This collection of speeches, interviews and articles from Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam gives insights into his thinking on political and social issues. It spans a period of over thirty years from 1988, when Shanmugam, then aged 29, was elected into Parliament as the youngest Member of Parliament, to 2008 and beyond, when he became a Cabinet minister holding the portfolios of Law, Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs.

The speeches start from when Shanmugam was a backbencher (for 20 years), pressing for more compensation for his residents and engaging in amusing brushes with government agencies, and continue through to when he became a Cabinet minister, enacting and changing legislation in diverse fields. They add to the perspectives on how Singapore has been governed over the last 38 years.

384 pages

Published January 1, 2026

Reviews

[Jamizal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lately into reading singaporean leaders writing because of their flair ideas. It is evidenced from how they develop Singapore to become a developed country. The country is clean and systematic with less corrupt public servant. They must have done something right and deserve us to learn from them. Shanmugam shared same career with me as a lawyer and now the Minister of Home Affairs. His idea in the book of relevant to me as i also propagating good governance , integrity in politics and economics via Yayasan PEACE. I finished reading his book during Eid and i can assure his ideas is fresh and someting great to ponder upon.

[Lee Candilin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Shan has always bothered to explain his positions clearly and openly. Always focused and objective, strict yet compassionate. A great man that earns his respect. Singapore is in good hands knowing that he is part of the leadership.
I particularly admire his principle of:
“If you are not true to yourself, the inner circle will know, then the residents will know, and finally, the media will know. Even if you don’t care how others look at you, if you cannot face yourself in the mirror, it will be meaningless.”