Lee Kuan Yew - From Third World to First The Singapore Story

Authors Note to the eBook Edition

I wrote my Memoirs for a younger generation of Singaporeans to know the story of the Singapore I grew up in. (The Singapore Story was published in 1999 and From Third World to First in 2000.) It was to give them an understanding of the difficulties Singapore faced then in its struggle to survive in the midst of larger, newly independent nations pursuing nationalistic policies.

It is a different world and a different Singapore today, a world vastly changed by globalization and technology but the threats remain and the challenge to national survival is grave.

It is my hope that the experiences of my generation find relevance with a generation that grew up with digital literacy and technology. I look forward to this digital version reaching out to that generation of online readers.

Lee Kuan Yew

August 2014

About the author and his memoirs

The title of this book, From Third World to First, expresses an aspiration of all developing countries but so far, alas, an achievement of very few. Singapore is one of those few. This account of its first years of independence written by its founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, will therefore be of great interest to people of other developing countries and to all those who are interested in their fate. It is also told with great clarity, in a refreshingly direct style.

Kofi A. Annan, UN Secretary-General

More than forty years ago, Lee Kuan Yew transformed what was a poor, decrepit colony into a shining, rich and modern metropolis all the time surrounded by hostile powers. With his brilliant, incisive intellect, he is one of the worlds most outspoken and respected statesmen. This book is a must read for any student of modern Asia.

Rupert Murdoch, Chairman and Chief Executive, News Corporation

Lee Kuan Yew is one of the brightest, ablest men I have ever met. The Singapore Story is a must read for people interested in a true Asian success story. From this book we also learn a lot about the thinking of one of this centurys truly visionary statesmen.

George Bush, US President, 198993

In office, I read and analysed every speech of Harrys. He had a way of penetrating the fog of propaganda and expressing with unique clarity the issues of our times and the way to tackle them. He was never wrong

Margaret Thatcher, British Prime Minister, 197990

For a country to rise from the threshold of subsistence to one of the highest living standards in the world in 30 years is no common achievement. Mr Lee has gathered around himself the most brilliant minds, transforming the most exacting standards into a system of government.

Jacques Chirac, French President since 1995

Candid, informed, forceful, brilliant: these attributes explain why leaders throughout the world have sought out Lee Kuan Yew and the words apply to his great memoir. You can learn how to think about power and politics in the world, how to analyse intricate problems, how to lead a people.

George P. Shultz, US Secretary of State, 198289

Lee Kuan Yew, one of the Pacific Basins great statesmen, has written a challenging and fascinating memoir.

Gerald R. Ford, US President, 197477

Lee Kuan Yew has become a valued friend and counsellor. His resoluteness, energy and vision have left a deep impression on Singapore, making it a political and economic powerhouse whose influence extends far beyond its own region. Lee Kuan Yew is not only a remarkable political figure but a challenging thinker. He has much of moment to say to us as we steer our course into the future.

Helmut Kohl, German Chancellor since 1992

Lee Kuan Yew is fascinating due to his grasp of the worlds political and economic fabric. Many American and European leaders have profited from his wisdom, particularly by his evaluation of China as a world power and by his analysis and explanation of Asian values.

Helmut Schmidt, German Chancellor, 197482

This is a personal history of a man who, almost single-handedly, built a great nation from a small island. Mr Lee has also been a great friend and often an astute observer of Japan. Japanese readers will learn in this book not only about their present image but also about their future portrait as seen through the penetrating eyes of this great political leader.

Kiichi Miyazawa, Japanese Prime Minister, 199193
and Finance Minister since July 1998

Whenever I met Mr Lee Kuan Yew, I was deeply impressed by his intellect, his vision and the depth of his understanding on history and society. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, you will see in this book how a political leader of insight has led a tiny country to a prosperous modern society amid the tidal waves of world politics.

Kim Dae Jung, President of the Republic of Korea

Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew is one of the pivotal figures in the modern history of Southeast Asia. His actions have shaped the course of events in this region.

Prem Tinsulanonda, Thai Prime Minister, 198088

How to turn a crisis into positive benefit distinguishes an able statesman from the ordinary. The Singapore Story reflects this great leaders life and vision.

Siddhi Savetsila, Thai Foreign Minister, 198090

He has done much to help promote closer economic ties between the countries of Southeast Asia as a whole. His latest memoir provides a thought-provoking insight and a new interpretation of the regions history and politics.

Chuan Leekpai, Prime Minister of Thailand

The treatment of events is refreshing. No one can accuse you of unfairness to your adversaries.

Dr Goh Keng Swee, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister, 197384

Lees vision, astute political judgement and strategy turned Singapore from a trading post into the successful thriving nation that it is today, respected by others.

Tun Daim Zainuddin, Malaysian Finance Minister, 198491 Special Functions Minister since June 1998 and Finance Minister since January 1999

These memoirs provide a unique insight into the history of modern Singapore and the thinking of one of the great Asian leaders of the 20th century.

Tony Blair, British Prime Minister since 1997

His judgments of those in high places with whom he had to deal during his long period in office, in particular with British Prime Ministers and American Presidents, are fascinating.

Edward Heath, British Prime Minister, 197074

He always commands an attentive audience amongst Western leaders.

James Callaghan, British Prime Minister, 197679

Harry Lee has been and remains one of the most distinguished leaders of the last half century. He was fortunate in being supported by a group of ministers of extraordinary ability who would have graced the cabinet room of any major country.

Malcolm Fraser, Australian Prime Minister, 197583

Combining what is best in the Chinese and British traditions, his penetrating intellect gives political pragmatism a unique edge which has made the city state of Singapore a model far beyond Asia.

Denis Healey,