Standing Tall: The Goh Chok Tong Years

by Shing Huei Pei

Some did not expect him to last long as Prime Minister. Few predicted he would succeed in the footsteps of Lee Kuan Yew. When Goh Chok Tong took over as the second Prime Minister of Singapore in 1990, many — from within and without the country — wondered aloud if the young country would survive Lee Kuan Yew.
But Goh would confound the naysayers, leading Singapore for 14 years through recessions, terrorist attacks, electoral setbacks and even a mysterious virus. Standing Tall captures the transformation of a political leader, evolving from a Prime Minister with a touch of naïvety to a hard-nosed strategist. He would introduce some of the country's most controversial policies, including the foreign talent scheme and formula for ministerial salaries, while advancing a kinder and gentler Singapore with the likes of MediFund and Edusave.

The unchartered post-Cold War world which Goh stepped into posed challenges to the new leader, yet he not only cemented but also expanded Singapore's global space and stature. Along the way, he overcame hurdles from Bill Clinton's administration, exchanged quips with Nelson Mandela, and even saved Li Peng from a possibly severe heart attack.

This sequel is written by author and journalist Peh Shing Huei, who also penned Tall Order: The Goh Chok Tong Story, Volume 1. Through interviews and access to People's Action Party documents and Goh's notes, this authorised biography uncovers rare insights into Singapore politics. Standing Tall tells the untold story of the Goh Chok Tong years, as he continues with Singapore's transformation into a global city.

420 pages, Hardcover

Published May 14, 2021

Reviews

[Sairesh Pillai · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the second volume of Goh Chok Tong's side of The Singapore Story does gloss over certain decisions made by his government, it does provide a keen insight into the man and his views on Singapore, leadership and life in general. I also find Mr Goh's choice to delegate the writing of this story to an authorised biographer an astute one, considering that it makes this collection of stories much more readable and personable compared to the much denser and less accessible memoirs of his predecessor.

[Chris Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standing Tall follows up Tall Order by covering Goh's Premiership of Singapore. The intent of the book is to provide readers with his insider thoughts during certain points of his Premiership. At the end of the book, Goh presents his own recollections on bite-size issues.

I appreciated that Goh took the time to adds a necessary historical account of 1990s Singapore. We do need these accounts for the historical record (regardless of the authenticity of their accounts). Additionally, I like the various modalities that Goh presents this historical account.

I did not appreciate the usual talking points. I think Goh/Huei Pei can afford to leave them out. It feels repetitive to read the usual biases that Goh has.

Apart from that, I think a third book would elucidate the 2000s. Maybe Tall Story? Call to Tall?

[En Yi WEI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it on Amazon :)