[Book Review] Lee Ek Tieng: The Green General of Lee Kuan Yew – A Tribute to Singapore’s Unsung Environmental Pioneer

Published by The Nutgraf Books and written by Samantha Boh, Pearl Lee, and Matthew Gan, Lee Ek Tieng: The Green General of Lee Kuan Yew offers a compelling exploration into the life and contributions of one of Singapore’s most influential yet understated civil servants.

The book delves into a factual retelling of Lee Ek Tieng’s instrumental role in transforming Singapore into the clean and green metropolis it is today. His leadership in projects such as the cleanup of the Singapore River, the development of an island-wide public sewerage system, and the modernisation of waste management practices showcases his foresight and dedication. His early push for water sustainability, including coining the term “NEWater,” highlights his long-term vision for Singapore’s future.

These are all difficult, technical projects that require massive time and effort but with little glory.

I was intrigued to pick up this book after reading an earlier book, also by The Nutgraf Books, The Last Fools: The Eight Immortals of Lee Kuan Yew, which delved into the pivotal contributions of eight civil servants in Singapore’s nation-building, namely, George Bogaars, Andrew Chew, Hon Sui Sen, Howe Yoon Chong, Ngiam Tong Dow, J.Y. Pillay, Sim Kee Boon and of course, Lee Ek Tieng.

This latest book allows for an expanded account recounting Lee Ek Tieng’s contribution with greater depth. We are all familiar with the narratives of the star politicians of Singapore’s formative years as a young nation, but there are merits to document and learn about the contributions of the bureaucrats in the civil service who did most of the heavy lifting. Lee Ek Tieng’s understated public profile is the epitome of one such individual who prefers to stay in the background, but whose story needs to be told.

Beyond environmental initiatives, the biography also details Lee’s contributions to the financial sector, particularly his roles at the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation. These accounts illustrate his versatility as a leader and his contributions to nation-building.

Enriched with insights from over 40 interviews, the book paints a vivid portrait of Lee’s pragmatic approach, human touch, and the profound respect he commanded. Supported by donations from nearly 70 former colleagues and family members, the biography stands as a collective tribute to his enduring legacy.

As Minister Grace Fu aptly put it during the book’s launch, “There would have been no clean and green Singapore without Lee Ek Tieng.”

Written in a straight-forward and direct factual retelling of historical events, this book is a recommended read for those into sustainability and to learn more about how Singapore got to where we are with clean water, clean air, modern sanitation and of course, the NEWater story.

You can order a copy directly via The Nutgraf Books’ official website from S.11 for a paperback copy.