Book on pioneer law minister E.W. Barker launched

In his student days, the late law minister E. W. Barker was a passionate sportsman who excelled in every sport he played.

He went on to distinguish himself as a scholar and statesman, who was singularly responsible for drafting the legal documents on Singapore's separation from the Federation of Malaysia.

Owing to the secretive and urgent nature of the task, the then law minister wrote the documents alone - and in 10 days. He also helped persuade Malaysian leaders to agree to and endorse them.

These documents created the legal framework which made Singapore's independence possible, and included an agreement that guaranteed water supply for Singapore. They were registered with the United Nations, and became subject to international law.

These and other contributions to the nation by Mr Edmund William Barker, who died in 2001 at age 80, are recounted in a 428-page biography, launched yesterday.

Titled E. W. Barker: The People's Minister, it was commissioned by the Eurasian Association, written by former Straits Times journalist and diplomat Susan Sim, and published by Straits Times Press.

The book traces Mr Barker's early years, his time as a prisoner of war in the infamous Death Railway in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, as well as his 25 years as a Cabinet minister.

His legacy includes pushing for void decks in public housing and construction of the old National Stadium in Kallang, and helping to set in motion the land reclamation of the Marina Bay area.

Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said no other minister has defined his ministry as much as Mr Barker with the Law Ministry, which he helmed throughout his political career.

"It's a pity that we have not emphasised his story enough," he said, noting that many had helped to build Singapore as a nation, but three men played a key role in its separation from Malaysia.

They were then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, then Finance Minister Goh Keng Swee, and Mr Barker, whom Mr Shanmugam described as "the only man at that point in our history who could have produced the Separation Agreement at such short notice, or negotiated the final terms with the Malaysians in so amicable a manner".

Ms Sim said she hoped younger Singaporeans will learn about his contributions.

He was also often described as a minister with a wry sense of humour, an encouraging person with a gentle way of letting people down and who had "the political gumption to take a stance and defend policies in Cabinet and Parliament'', she added.

The launch at the National Library was attended by about 130 people, including former politicians and family members.

Mr Barker's wife Gloria was present, while daughters Carla and Deborah and granddaughter Megan sang some of his favourite songs as a tribute. These included the Everly Brothers' Walk Right Back and Louis Armstrong's When You're Smiling.

Said his eldest child, Carla, of the book: "What is wonderful about it is that apart from being a record of my father's contributions to Singapore, it is also the Singapore story. It is a tremendous history book.

"Perhaps because my father was so light-hearted and easygoing, it isn't difficult to read either."

Mr Shanmugam said Mr Barker embodied traits of the Eurasian community: "Passion, a steely resolve to make the idea of Singapore work, courageous humour in the face of adversity and a will to overcome despite one's size."

The book is available at leading bookshops or www.stpressbooks.com.sg at $45.90.

This article was first published on December 08, 2016.
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