COMMENT | Years ago, I remember reading a book by an executive chef at a reputable hotel chain, with all the hilarious stories from the kitchen, but no book beats this one by Gurmit Singh.

The eponymous star of the hit Singaporean sitcom Phua Chu Kang often declares himself as the “best contractor in Singapore, JB and some say Batam”.

His autobiography entitled What Was I Thinking? is packed with interesting stories from his own life which explain why Gurmit is who he is. Sometimes, in the midst of our own political and socioeconomic woes, it is good to enjoy a light and entertaining book like this one.

For those who pick up this book from the local bookshop, the book cautions its readers: “This is not a how-to book on being a better entertainer, but you will walk away with a better understanding of this man.”

Gurmit's childhood

After reading his book, even I am starting to think like Gurmit.

He was born in Kandang Kerbau Hospital – what a name for a hospital! After a long and painful labour, the baby Gurmit finally arrived at 11.54pm on March 24, 1965, short of just six minutes before midnight.

I wonder: If his head had started coming out at 11.59pm and the whole labour process was over by 12.01am, would he celebrate his birthday on the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth of March? Or, would he wait till midnight to blow his candles every year? That would have been a six-million dollar question for the ah beng contractor to figure out....