New book on life, legacy of late chief justice Yong Pung How

It contains tributes, lists his career milestones; PM Lee calls him one of Singapore’s titans

- Jean Iau

As a young lawyer, Associate Professor Dorcas Quek Anderson was taken aback by how personable her first boss was, given his courtroom reputation as a strict and steely judge.

The 44-year-old recalled how former chief justice Yong Pung How played a key role in her foray into academia by taking the time to read the first article she wrote for submission to a law journal.

Said the former district judge, who now teaches at Singapore Management University: "He was very encouraging and gave me the courage to submit it for publication. That publication, as well as my early years being a justices' law clerk, helped me discover my passion for research and writing in the area of law." In a new biography on the late Mr Yong, she and 63 other former justices' law clerks paint the "Chief”as many affectionately called him as a kind and warm figure who enjoyed chats over lunches and always made time for them.

Their tributes make up one chapter in the book, titled Pioneer, Polymath And Mentor: The Life And Legacy Of Yong Pung How. It was launched on April 11, which would have been Mr Yong's 98th birthday.

The book, which details Mr Yong's career milestones, was written, compiled and edited by Senior Judge Andrew Phang, who retired as justice of the Court of Appeal in 2022.

Mr Yong died on Jan 9, 2020, at the age of 93. He served as chief justice from 1990 to 2006, implementing rigorous reforms and leveraging technology to streamline the Singapore court system during his tenure.