Lee Kuan Yew's memoirs published in French

27 Oct 2011

PARIS - A French version of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's memoirs was launched in Paris this week, the latest foreign-language edition of The Singapore Story to be printed and sold.

An initial print run of 2,500 copies of the two-volume memoirs, documenting the life of Singapore's founding father and the country's road to independence and after, will be sold in France, adding to the numerous translations of the best-selling memoirs.

Former foreign minister George Yeo, who initiated the idea of a French-language edition, was the guest of honour at the launch on Tuesday, which was attended by leaders from the French government, diplomatic circles, business, civil society and media.

Mr Yeo is currently a visiting scholar of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, which published the book and was launching it in partnership with the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA).

"The memoirs have been translated into nearly 10 major languages; however, the French edition was missing till date," Mr Yeo said, noting that the book could provide insights at a time when countries are struggling to achieve good governance.

He added: "Many Francophone countries have shown interest in the Singapore model. They are free to select the lessons they want to learn on governance and adapt it to their own political context based on their unique historical and cultural evolution."