Wolf Review(5 things you need to know about George Yeo’s book launch on 31 Aug 2023 held at Victoria Concert Hall)
I have the honour and privilege of attending Mr. George Yeo’s official book launch for his 3rd and final instalment of his Musings trilogy at the Victoria Concert Hall. The books were co created by Woon Tai Ho. The event was well attended by many of George Yeo’s friends from the business and diplomatic circle. I saw Kishore Mahbubani, former dean of LKY School of Public Policy and Mr. Yao from Hi-P group among the attendees. No effort was spared to make the event a success.
1. The guest of honour for the event was Deputy Prime Minster, Heng Swee Keat. An opening speech by DPM Heng gave praise to Mr.Yeo, his former colleague at MTI on his work done on Free Trade Agreements(FTA). He was the key architect of those Free Trade Agreements. Through George Yeo’s deep understanding of history and culture, he was able to keep Singapore relevant by breaking barriers and forging new cooperation around the world. Without Mr. Yeo’s contributions, Singapore wouldn’t have the 27 FTA with other countries. Those free trade agreements provide Singapore with a lifeline in a more uncertain World where more countries are looking inwards with many choosing to restrict free movement of humans, goods and services. I have enclosed the link to DPM Heng’s speech in full for your benefit.
https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/DPM-Heng-Swee-Keat-at-the-Launch-of-George-Yeos-Musings---Series-3
2. Mr. Yeo was next to give his speech. He was thankful to all the people that had made his idea into a series of books a reality. Special thanks were directed at his co-author, Woon Tai Ho, and his capable assistant. The book signing event was held in Victoria Concert Hall because he felt it was an important occasion to celebrate the success of the books. A touching thank you message went to Mrs.Yeo for all the emotional support he had received from her. He wouldn’t have done what he did without her. Mr. Yeo went further on the challenges of co-creating the books. The most difficult and equally memorable part was trying to put a timeline on those old photos he had shared with the readers of his books. The whole experience allowed him to revisit those wonderful memories. The photos open up a little window into his life.
3. A couple of quotes by George Yeo during the speech, made a strong and meaningful impression on me. “Big things were accomplished because small things were done well by others” and “Big forces are not within our control but we can move in directions that are favourable to us.”
4. Some questions were asked by Woon Tai Ho and the audience during the half hour fireside chat.
Woon: What have you learned about yourself and Singapore after co-creating the Musings series?
GY: Most of the views were not new. Most of those views had been germinating in his mind for quite some time. He felt an interview format to give his opinions was something easy for him. He added additional information to the draft which Woon had accommodated. He was thankful for the patience shown by his co-author. He was pleasantly surprised by the high level of interest shown by young people in Singapore and Hong Kong on the topics discussed in his books particularly in area of history and current world affairs. Young people had contacted him asking for line by line clarification, which delighted him enormously. The younger generation has shown they are not an apathy generation when it comes to important issue concerning the current world affairs.
Audience: What was his view on a potential freak election result in Singapore given the controversies surrounding the ruling party?
GY: If PAP continues to conduct business as usual, trap in its past glory, another party will eventually earned the right to govern. (He was careful not to go into local politics given it was the cooling period for the presidential election.)
Audience: His thoughts on current US-China tension?
GY: He felt the relationship between the two is not getting worse given there were mutual visits by Biden’s administration to China and vice versa. Biden needs China to play ball for his re-election bid in the 2024 US presidential election. China is signalling their willingness to help Biden, given Trump is a more unpredictable prospect for China to deal with.
Woon: Should Singapore actively seek to join the BRICS?
GY: It would be better for ASEAN to join BRICS as a grouping. Singapore should avoid joining BRICS as an individual country as BRICS is seen by the Western Powers as an anti Western Alliance. He supports Indonesia’s and Thailand’s bids to join the BRICS.
Audience: Is Singapore making good progress in multiculturalism?
GY: Multiculturalism starts with each other accepting and respecting each other’s differences. Understanding each other’s core interests and beliefs is the basic respect one should accord to each other as humans. Finding common ground and enlarging common causes are keys to the improvement of multiculturalism in Singapore.
Woon: On conflict between Science and Spiritual needs?
GY: As scientists gain more knowledge through scientific discoveries, they will be pivoting towards tangible results as proof of provenance, less guided by those spiritual needs. No matter what one’s belief in science or religion, one shouldn’t impose your belief on others. In his views, one shouldn’t forgo their dependency on God even as the society inclines more towards scientific reasoning to explain everything.
5. Mrs. Yeo, an accomplished pianist, gave the audience a treat with her beautiful recital of Chopin’s Etude Op.10 No. 3 E Major and Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 E Flat Major. It was a beautiful way to end the evening. Invited guests were treated to a sumptuous buffet reception after the event. Finally, do look out for my book reviews on Musings series 2 and Musings 3 once I have completed reading them. Musings series 1,2 and 3 are now out on sale at all major bookstores.
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