Singapore’s elder statesman Lee Kuan Yew will publish a new book outlining his views on politics, the global economy, climate change and other issues, reports said today.

The final chapter of One Man’s View Of The World captures a series of conversations between Lee and Helmut Schmidt, former chancellor of West Germany, The Straits Times reported. The two met to discuss international affairs in Singapore last year.

Lee, 89, was prime minister during 1959-90, later serving as senior minister and ‘minister mentor’. During his time in office he oversaw the transformation of Singapore into a gleaming metropolis and regional economic powerhouse.

His influential friends and admirers included Schmidt, late former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger.

But Lee has also been criticised for his authoritarianism and record on human rights, press freedom and other issues. His son Lee Hsien Loong is the current prime minister of Singapore.

The 400-page book will be available on Aug 6.

- dpa