WITHIN minutes of reading The Straits Times on Friday, Mr Lee Kwok Cheong dashed off an e-mail. The 54-year-old wanted to make sure he got a special copy of a new book on the People's Action Party (PAP).

'I have a strong interest in the history of Singapore and the PAP is a big part of Singapore's development,' said the chief executive officer of the Singapore Institute of Management.

'This book is the writers' view, not the party's view, and to me that's very valuable,' he added.

Mr Lee is among eight people who e-mailed The Straits Times (ST) yesterday to reserve an autographed copy of Men In White: The Untold Story Of Singapore's Ruling Political Party. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew will sign 20 copies, to be sold at $10,000 each. Proceeds will go to The ST School Pocket Money Fund.

The book is written by senior ST journalists Sonny Yap, 59, Richard Lim, 60, and Leong Weng Kam, 55.

It sheds light on the early power struggles in the PAP and its evolution since then.

Interested donors can e-mail weenh@sph.com.sg.