Lee Kuan Yew's impact on Singapore examined

Author Lee Hui Min. [Photo/China Daily]

In the second half of the book, Lee moves onto the issue of political elections in Singapore. By recounting the stories of how she and her friends, including a Malaysian immigrant, a civil servant, a young artist and an unemployed worker, participated in different elections through 2011 to 2013, she gives the complicated and serious topic a human touch, and presents the different values of the grassroots in Singapore.

"Some people who had read the book contacted me to ask me to join the opposition parties," says Lee Hui Min. But she has no such inclination.

The idea of writing a book about Singapore from an ordinary person's perspective came to her when she was traveling in China several years ago. She found that all the books about Singapore fall into three categories－travel guides, Lee Kuan Yew autobiographies and collections of academic essays on Singapore's development.

The author believes that in the pursuit of economic development, the people of Singapore have gained a lot but have also lost something.

"We are grateful to Lee Kuan Yew and the other founding fathers for making Singapore a prosperous country, and their contribution should be remembered," she writes in the afterword.

"But when people talk about the success of Singapore, it's like talking about how a knight tames a wild horse. The feelings of the horse are always neglected."

"Singapore is preparing celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the country, and the government has called for stories of the country as part of the celebration. I wish the collection of stories will not only present the official view but also the voices of the people."

Growing up in Lee Kuan Yew's Era

By: Lee HuiMin Publisher:

Beijing Times Chinese Press

Year to publish: 2014

Pages: 210

Price : 35 yuan ($5.60)