Creating Three Unique Singapore Laws: An Inside Story

Prof Jayakumar’s book is an outstanding contribution to a critical aspect of our constitutional history. He has presented the background to the development of three highly significant constitutional innovations, namely the office of the President, which impacts the Executive branch and the GRC and the NCMP schemes which concern the Legislative branch, in a way that is extremely accessible and makes for compelling reading. In this, he has demystified the complexity underlying these issues to help Singaporeans understand the careful thinking and principled planning that went into these matters. Sundaresh Menon, Chief Justice

The “inside story” can only be told by a select few who were directly involved with the events behind these important constitutional changes. But Prof Jayakumar’s book goes beyond the intimate details and does not shy away from revealing disagreements and compromises behind the scenes — that Mr Lee Kuan Yew held strong views but was open to persuasion by his younger colleagues, if they could convince him that their positions were better for the long-term good of Singapore. I read the entire draft in a single sitting and found snippets fascinating and riveting. This rare gem of a book deserves to be highly commended. Ng Eng Hen, Former Minister for Defence

Politics are usually served as a ready-made meal, garnished by parliamentary oratory addressed to the galleries. We are rarely allowed entry into the kitchen where real decision making takes place. This is the great virtue of this book by Professor Jayakumar tracking three important changes to the Singapore constitution. His tone is serene, his analyses acute and, as one of the cooks, authoritative. Of huge interest is the light it pours on the larger than life Lee Kuan Yew — far more subtle, dialogical and accommodating than often depicted. J H H Weiler, Professor of Law, NYU and NUS; Senior Fellow,
Harvard Center for European Studies

S JAYAKUMAR | AUTHOR

Born in 1939, Professor S. Jayakumar served as a Cabinet minister in Singapore for three decades (1981–2011), under three prime ministers: Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Chok Tong and Lee Hsien Loong. His portfolios included Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, Law and Labour. He was also appointed Deputy Prime Minister (2004–2009), Coordinating Minister for National Security (2005–2010) and Senior Minister (2009–2011). He retired from politics in 2011.

Before entering politics, he taught law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Singapore (which became the National University of Singapore, or NUS, in 1980), and was Dean of the Faculty (1974–1979). He also served as Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (1971–1974).

In 2020, he was awarded the Order of Temasek (with High Distinction),
Singapore’s highest civilian honour.

Currently, he is the Senior Legal Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. He is also a Pro-Chancellor and Emeritus Professor of the NUS. Prof Jayakumar and his wife, Dr Lalitha Rajahram, were blessed with
three children and six grandchildren.

ISBN: 978-981-5081-35-0
Size: 152mm x 227mm (portrait)
Page extent & binding: 244pp, limp cover with flaps
Estimated weight: 430 grams
Publication: August 2026