Overwhelming response to first book on Goh Keng Swee
By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 July 2007 2338 hrs

	Photos  of

SINGAPORE: Amidst a recent family controversy, a book on one of Singapore's founding fathers, Dr Goh Keng Swee, has received overwhelming response.

Nearly all 3,000 copies from the first print have been snapped up within a week of its release.

The author, Tan Siok Sun, who took a decade to write a portrait of her father-in-law said: "I just didn't expect that there would be this groundswell of interest. So of course I'm pleased, more for the fact that people are proving Dr Goh wrong because he told me 'who will want to read about me?' and everybody's proving him wrong. So I'm happy on that score."

According to Mrs Goh Keng Swee, the book is not officially endorsed by the man himself.

She had issued a statement in early July, saying that Dr Goh had not wanted the book published and doing so is a show of disrespect.

This controversy over the publishing of the book and a heightened interest in Singapore's history are probably some of the reasons that are driving up demand for the biography.

The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies also has plans to launch a series of biographies on Singapore's political old guards.

Ms Tan's book is dedicated to Dr Goh's two grandsons, Goh Shaoyi and Goh Kenyi.

Shaoyi said: "Now I get to know my grandfather better. And it's a good way to learn advice from a grandfather and know what he did."

"Goh Keng Swee: A Portrait" retails at S$45 at all major bookstores.


- CNA/so