Former president apologies to prime minister

This letter was not posted on the Straits Times website. Neither was the Prime Minister's press secretary's response to Mr Ong's first letter. Both however were published in the Straits Times of March 14. Editor.

March 9, 2000

I AM not at all happy with the Asiaweek article on Maverick President which appeared in the March 10, 2000 issue.

I had not intended for old issues to be re-surfaced.

Mr Roger Mitton first wrote to me in November 1999 wanting to do a sort of discursive piece looking back over the highlights of my career, culminating in the presidency...more like the story he did on Eddy Barker some years ago.

The interview took place on Feb 23. We spent nearly two hours chit-chatting about my early days in school and my subsequent induction into politics.

Towards the end if the two-hour conversation, I got a little complacent and let down my guard. I was not quick thinking enough to brush aside his questions on the presidency and allowed issues which had already been settled to re-surface.

Mr Mitton had promised that he would work with me on the article and would not want anything to appear that I would not be comfortable with.

I expected him to clear the article with me first before publication. But it was not to be. My exchange of email with him is enclosed (Note: This was not released. Editor.)

I regret that I have unwittingly allowed old issued to resurface. My apologies.