LIFE: Parenting Column

Publication: Life

Date: 17 May 2021
Title: My daughter broke fast with her best friend

Description: A parenting column which describes how my daughter gets to appreciate racial and religious diversity by living and breathing it with friends.

Extract: "Appreciating racial and religious diversity from an academic context the way I do, is very different from living and breathing it with two friends you talk to every day via WhatsApp video calls or stay over with."

PETIR: Ong Ye Kung

Publication: PETIR (Magazine for the People's Action Party of Singapore)
Date: December 2016
Title: Sincerely Speaking

Description: An interview with Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Second Minister for Defence.

Extract: He spends time enjoying light suppers with his team after MPS (Meet-The-People sessions), and in mid-November sat through a soccer match with them after a BBQ. The blemish to an otherwise very enjoyable gathering was that the Manchester United fan saw his team draw with its arch rival, Arsenal.

PETIR: Ng Chee Meng

Publication: PETIR (Magazine for the People's Action Party of Singapore)
Date: December 2016
Title: Joyful Mission

Description: An interview with Ng Chee Meng, Minister for Education (Schools) and Second Minister for Transport. He was formerly the Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces.

Extract: Said Mr Ng, the fourth child sandwiched between two President's Scholars in a family of five sons: "I was not really the studious type. If my mother were still alive, she would tell you I never studied for my PSLE, probably played too much, even though I did well enough."

Istana: Our Istana Through the Years

Publication: Istana's SG50 Commemorative Book
Date: 2015
Title: Our Istana Through the Years

Description: The Istana (Malay for palace) is the official residence and office of the President of Singapore. This book was commissioned by the President in line with Singapore's 50th birthday celebration in 2015.

It is a 213-page coffeetable book which documents the history of the Istana in parallel with the growth of Singapore, via photographs and personal perspectives from people who have passed through its gates. 

Interviewees include Singapore's first First Lady, Puan Noor Aishah, long-time staff of the Istana who were born on its grounds, and guests who came away with fond memories of the President and his "palace".

The author and her three children at the book launch on 8 December 2015 with
(top, from L-R) Puan Noor Aishah, Mrs Mary Tan and President Tony Tan 

(Following excerpts showcase all five chapters of the book. The book is also available for download here)

National Committee on Youth Guidance and Rehabilitation: The Right Side 2

Publication: National Committee on Youth Guidance and Rehabilitation's 20th anniversary commemorative book
Date: 2015
Title: The Right Side 2 - 20 years of rebuilding lives

Description: A 108-page book which documents efforts made over the last 20 years to support and rehabilitate youths-at-risk in Singapore.

(Following excerpt showcases the first chapter of the book)

President's Award for Teachers 2015

Publication: President's Award for Teachers 2015 - Stories by PAT Finalists
Date: 2015
Title: Teach to Inspire, Inspire to Teach

Description: A 70-page book featuring the personal stories of 13 Singapore teachers (written in first-person style after interviews) who were shortlisted for Singapore's highest teaching award, the President's Award for Teachers 2015. 

The book was co-authored with Straits Times columnist and former Education correspondent, Jane Ng.

(Following excerpt showcases two PAT winners who I interviewed)

CHALLENGE: Albert Chua

Publication: Challenge (Magazine for the Public Service Division of Singapore)
Date: September / October 2015
Title: "You need to be tough and rugged"

Description: An interview with Albert Chua, the Second Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore.

Extract: Chinese calligraphy scrolls and CDs of guqin music (a traditional Chinese instrument he plays) jostle for space with his standing desk. On his table are a Yoda cup labelled "May the Force be with you" and a bowl of cutesy Forum Of Small State badges ("May the FOSS be with you," reads one)