This book would resonate with you if you’re intrigued by stories of iconoclastic figures who transform systems from within. Philip Yeo's unorthodox approach to civil service in Singapore is a refreshing narrative that contrasts with the expected government official playbook. It’s an inspiring read, especially if you fancy a blend of personal anecdotes with the professional milestones that have shaped a nation’s growth. Yeo's boldness and entrepreneurial spirit in a bureaucratic environment make his biography a compelling page-turner that could stir a desire for positive defiance in your own sphere.

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Philip Yeo is unlike any civil servant. He prefers action over talk,cartoons over words and speed over due process. The maverick was blunt, direct and not afraid to challenge the status quo, earning him a reputation not only as one of Singapore’s most accomplished government officials, but also among its most colourful bureaucrats. Neither Civil Nor Servant captures the half a century career of the former Economic Development Board chairman, telling the stories of brilliant achievements almost unparalleled in the history of the Singapore civil service. Yeo was the man who turned Batam into a household name in Singapore, created Jurong Island from seawater and put the country on the biomedical map globally with its iconic Biopolis. The famous rule breaker bulldozed his way through the bureaucracy he was a part of, blazing new paths in a manner more akin to an entrepreneur than a civil servant. In the process, he offendedmore than a few and was never afraid to challenge naysayers publicly, regardless of status and background. In the hands of acclaimed journalist and author Peh Shing Huei,this authorised biography brings out Philip Yeo the private man behind the public figure and uncovers the behind-the-scene stories of some of Singapore’s biggest post-independence military, economic and political adventures. Neither Civil Nor Servant is an engaging and enthralling book, offering fascinating insights

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