The J.B Jeyaretnam has published his second book, 'The Hatchet Man of Singapore'. The book is available at S$20 from Select Bookshop.
The title is inspired by Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, "As Prime Minister, I reserved executive powers in the Internal Security Act and Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, both inherited from British Times, which I did not repeal in order to be able to act against subservisives or criminals like drug traffickers against whom there is insufficient evidence for a court of law without having recourse to the courts. In other words, I was my own carrier of a hatchet. I needed no hatchet man. All those who have dealt with me know that I have never flinched from going into a dark street on a dark night and it happens to be a cul de sac. No outlet - either the gangster or I will come out alive." Strait Times, 2 November 1995.
The book gives Jeyaretnam's account of how Cheng San GRC 'erupted like a volcano' during the closely-fought campaign when the PAP trained its sights on Jeyaretnam and his teammate Tang Liang Hong. It also recounts the court proceedings in the defamation action that the Honourable Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and 10 other PAP leaders brought against Mr Jeyaretnam. One chapter is devoted to the cross-examination of Mr Goh, who went on to win his suit, by the late Honourable Queen's Counsel George Carmen on the way the PAP ran the country.
The book also carries a forward by the Honourable Justice Charles Gray, QC, of the Supreme Court of Judicature of England and Wales.
JB Jeyaretnam writes that "I was first elected into Parliament on the 31st October 1981, my sixth attempt and that triggered off Lee (Kuan Yew)'s determination to squash me or, in his own words "to destroy me". Lee wasted no time into translating his fury into action."
Readers will have to judge themselves who has destroyed who.
WHERE TO BUY BOOK
The Hatchet Man Of Singapore, a 254-page paperback published by Mr Jeyaretnam himself, is available at S$20 from the following retailer:
SELECT BOOKS Pte. Ltd.
19 Tanglin Road #03-15
Tanglin Shopping Centre
Singapore 247909
Telephone: (65) 6732 1515
Fax: (65) 6736 0855
E-mail Contacts
Orders: orders@selectbooks.com.sg
Inquiries: info@selectbooks.com.sg
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