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Independent Singapore
7 days ago
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
Sylvia Lim's memoir to be published by Epigram Books in 2027
Sylvia Lim. FB screengrab/ The Workers Party SINGAPORE: Sylvia Lim, who has chaired the Workers' Party (WP) for over two decades now, is working on her memoir. According to an Instagram post, it will be published by Epigram Books in 2027. Ms Lim, like Singapore has turned 60 this year. Her story is part of a series of profiles of people who were born in 1965, as featured in . The project was launched by Tay Kay Chin, who was, as one might have guessed, born in the same year. It was announced in a b1965 Instagram post on Jul 17 that Ms Lim is working on her life story. Screenshot In a comment on the post, Ms Lim noted how meaningful it is to be included in Mr Tay's collection of profiles, adding, 'As we celebrate SG60, it is opportune to reflect on our personal journeys and fascinating to see where our cohort mates have been.' While those who are interested in knowing more about Ms Lim's life story will have to wait a couple of years before the book is published, the b1965 interview provides fascinating insights into Ms Lim's background, including the desire from her youth to be of service to society. 'When it comes to what I want to do in my life or my career choices, it always has to be in terms of contributing to society,' she said, adding a while later that 'one of the main slogans of the WP since the 1970s was 'Towards a caring society.' That means something to me. It means that the poor and the underprivileged will always have a special place in WP's agenda.' Ms Lim, a former police officer and law lecturer, joined the WP in 2001, after reaching out to the then secretary-general, Low Thia Khiang. She was elected party chair in 2003. After having served as a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament from 2006 to 2011, she was elected as an MP for Aljunied GRC and is now in her fourth term, representing the Paya Lebar ward. She also talked briefly in the interview about her husband, Quah Kim Song, one of Singapore's football greats, saying that one great thing about him is that 'he wears his heart on his sleeve.' The pair got married earlier this year, after more than a dozen years of being together. When asked to compare her journey with that of Singapore, she said, 'Singapore, in the early days, we were finding our way. And now, after 60 years of so-called independence, there are new challenges. So, broadly speaking, I find that it is similar to us as well.' /TISG Read also: '60 is the new 40' — Sylvia Lim on the important role of older workers () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
New Paper
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
WP's Sylvia Lim to publish memoir in 2027
Workers' Party chairwoman and MP for Aljunied GRC Sylvia Lim will publish her memoir with Epigram Books. It is expected to hit major bookstores in the second half of 2027. The agreement between Ms Lim and the home-grown publisher - an imprint of the newly formed non-profit Epigram Literary Foundation - was signed in recent weeks. There is no book title yet, with writing still in its preliminary stages. But the surprise memoir is expected to offer a rare glimpse into the mind of one of Singapore's pioneer women in opposition politics - a police inspector and lawyer turned self-professed proud "Mama Bear" heading a slate of WP female candidates at the recent general election. On her decision to ink the deal, Ms Lim said: "There has been interest from several quarters about the paths I have walked and the places I have been, as well as the people who made me whole. "As I turn 60 this year, it feels right to start to reflect on my experiences of life, vocation and love which, hopefully, will be meaningful not just now, but also for posterity." The 14-year MP has struck a more mellow note of late, brandishing her PAssion Silver Concession Card at a WP rally in April to cheers - "The last time I stood on this stage, I still had black hair." To a question on WP's party leadership succession during a press conference in the same month, she had expressed a readiness to pass the baton on. "I would say that when the time comes for me, personally, to step down as chairperson, I won't be sorry." Mr Edmund Wee, founder of Epigram Books, said he also specifically requested that Ms Lim include her relationship with former national footballer Quah Kim Song, whom she had dated for 12 years before their church wedding in January. The publisher got in touch with Ms Lim through a mutual friend and had tried cajoling her for the project as early as 2021 during the coronavirus lockdown period, with satisfaction delayed till now. Mr Wee said: "Sylvia Lim's achievements and life should be an inspiration to Singaporeans, especially to all the young women out there." Few senior leaders from WP, Singapore's most successful opposition party post-independence, have put their thoughts to the page. Former secretary-general of WP J.B Jeyaretnam hawked his own books on the streets after being declared bankrupt and losing his seat, including The Hatchet Man Of Singapore, published in 2003. The most recent and probably most well-known is WP member and former Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong's Journey In Blue: A Peek Into The Workers' Party Of Singapore (2020). Among other revelations, it disclosed that former WP chief Low Thia Khiang had begun planning to step down as early as 2016 following an intra-party leadership challenge, rather than in 2020 after a fall at home as commonly assumed. Ms Lim was a law lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic specialising in civil and criminal procedures when she was elected WP's first woman chairperson in 2003 and led a team to become the "best losers" in the contest for Aljunied GRC in 2006. After a stint as NCMP from 2006 to 2011, she was part of the team that won Aljunied GRC for WP in 2011. She will begin her fourth term when Parliament reconvenes on Sept 5.
Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
WP chairwoman Sylvia Lim to publish memoir with Epigram Books in 2027
The agreement between Ms Lim and the home-grown publisher was signed in recent weeks. SINGAPORE – Workers' Party chairwoman and MP for Aljunied GRC Sylvia Lim will publish her memoirs with Epigram Books, expected to hit major bookstores in the second half of 2027. The agreement between Ms Lim and the home-grown publisher – an imprint of the newly formed non-profit Epigram Literary Foundation – was signed in recent weeks. A book title is as yet not forthcoming, with writing still in its preliminary stages. But the surprise memoir is expected to offer a rare glimpse into the mind of one of Singapore's pioneer women in opposition politics – a police inspector and lawyer turned self-professed proud 'Mama Bear' heading a slate of WP female candidates at the recent general election. On her decision to ink the deal, Ms Lim said: 'There has been interest from several quarters about the paths I have walked and the places I have been, as well as the people who made me whole. 'As I turn 60 this year, it feels right to start to reflect on my experiences of life, vocation and love which, hopefully, will be meaningful not just now, but also for posterity.' The 14-year MP has struck a more mellow note of late, brandishing her PAssion Silver Concession Card at a WP rally in April to cheers – 'The last time I stood on this stage, I still had black hair.' To a question on WP's party leadership succession during a press conference in the same month, she had said: 'I would say that when the time comes for me, personally, to step down as chairperson, I won't be sorry.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF Asia Japan PM Ishiba vows to take responsibility for election loss, to stay in office to deal with US tariff talks Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS Singapore Proof & Company Spirits closes Singapore distribution business Life Travel Journal: Safari tourism with a side of moral crisis Singapore Mandai Wildlife Group group CEO Mike Barclay to retire; Bennett Neo named as successor Singapore Jail, caning for man who held metal rod to cashier's neck in failed robbery attempt Singapore Fresh charge for woman who harassed nurse during pandemic, created ruckus at lion dance competition Mr Edmund Wee, founder of Epigram Books, said he also specifically requested that Ms Lim include her relationship with former national footballer Quah Kim Song , whom she had dated for 12 years before their church wedding in January 2025. The publisher got in touch with Ms Lim through a mutual friend and had tried cajoling her for the project as early as 2021 during the coronavirus lockdown period, with satisfaction delayed till now. Mr Wee said: 'Sylvia Lim's achievements and life should be an inspiration to Singaporeans, especially to all the young women out there.' Few senior leaders from WP, Singapore's most successful opposition party post-independence, have put their thoughts to the page. Former secretary-general of WP J.B Jeyaretnam hawked his own books on the streets after being declared bankrupt and losing his seat, including The Hatchet Man Of Singapore, published in 2003. The most recent and probably most well-known is WP member and former Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong's Journey In Blue: A Peek Into The Workers' Party Of Singapore (2020). Among other revelations, it disclosed that former WP chief Low Thia Khiang had begun planning to step down as early as 2016 following an intra-party leadership challenge, rather than in 2020 after a fall at home as commonly assumed. Ms Lim was a law lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic specialising in civil and criminal procedures when she was elected WP's first woman chairperson in 2003 and led a team to become the 'best losers' in the contest for Aljunied GRC in 2006. After a stint as NCMP from 2006 to 2011, she was part of the team that won Aljunied GRC for WP in 2011. She will begin her fourth term when Parliament reconvenes on Sept 5.
Straits Times
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Book review: Carissa Foo's Almost A Love Story is more literary than lusty
By Carissa Foo Fiction/Epigram Books/Paperback/233 pages/$20.90 The qualifier 'Almost' in the title is fair warning that this is not your average romance. Singaporean author Carissa Foo's fourth novel offers a meta, nested narrative that is more literary than lusty.
New Paper
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Paper
Epigram Books becomes non-profit Epigram Literary Foundation
Home-grown publisher Epigram Books has restructured to become Epigram Literary Foundation, a non-profit entity that it hopes could help it convince more donors to loosen their purse strings. The public company limited by guarantee, or CLG, was incorporated with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra) on May 1. This is the latest bid by Epigram to keep operations sustainable, after it collaborated with seven other Singapore indie booksellers to launch online bookstore A CLG differs from a private limited company, where maximising profit for shareholders is the goal of the company. For a CLG, any surplus is meant to be reinvested into the organisation, and they are generally seen to be more credible, requiring approval from Acra that it is serving some public or national interest - in this case, the promotion of the arts. Founder Edmund Wee, 72, said he had been pondering the move for over a year, but had always been told by lawyers that the restructuring would be difficult until he received the right advice. Profits have always been meagre, and he has not paid himself a dividend in the 14 years he has run Epigram - so not much would change in that respect, he told The Straits Times. A CLG, if it encourages businesses aligned with its mission to contribute - possibly as part of their corporate social responsibility programmes - could create an endowment so that it generates significant enough money interest to aid cash flow. Mr Wee said: "Publishing is getting harder and harder, and I can't borrow from the bank any more now that I'm past 70. I cannot go around to ask for $50,000 or $60,000 every year. I'm hoping for a bigger lump sum." To bolster Epigram Literary Foundation's credibility and set donors' minds at ease, he has enlisted nine dignitaries to sit on an advisory council. They are former diplomats Tommy Koh and Kishore Mahbubani; historian Wang Gungwu; former chief economist of GIC Yeoh Lam Keong; special research adviser at the Institute of Policy Studies Arun Mahizhnan; Mr Robert Tomlin, vice-chairman of the Asian arm of investment firm Lepercq de Neuflize; Dr Hong Hai, emeritus professor of business at Nanyang Technological University; former chairman of The Substation and consultant in philanthropy Chew Keng Chuan; and author Meira Chand. Mr Wee said: "I'm hoping that they will give the non-profit more standing so that when I go see companies, they are more willing to donate. I had the choice to drastically reduce the outfit so Epigram publishes only three or four books a year, but I didn't want to do that. There's nobody in the ecosystem now publishing Singapore fiction like us. I find that terrible." Epigram Books hosts the annual Epigram Fiction Books Prize, which awards the winner a $25,000 cash prize and a publishing contract. Three other finalists each receive $5,000 and a publishing contract. It is the richest pot dedicated to unpublished literary manuscripts in Singapore. Mr Wee said he is also working with partners to start a regional book prize for Asean, with a long-term launch date for probably 2027 or later. In theory, the change to a CLG structure should not affect the salaries of its 13 full-time and two part-time employees, but this will depend on how much can be raised, he added. Epigram is Singapore's largest independent book publisher, publishing upwards of 50 titles a year. Notable titles in its stable include the Eisner-award winning The Art Of Charlie Chan Hock Chye (2015) by Sonny Liew, Jeremy Tiang's State Of Emergency (2017) and Meihan Boey's The Formidable Miss Cassidy (2021). All three have secured releases in countries outside Singapore, boosting the Republic's global literary footprint.
