'It's not a sacrifice': Tommy Koh retires from MFA after 55 years, shares thoughts

After 55 years with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), veteran diplomat and lawyer Professor Tommy Koh has retired from service, the ministry announced on Tuesday (Sep 1).

"Throughout his 55 years of service to Singapore, there was never once when Ambassador-at-large Professor Tommy Koh doubted Singapore's ability to succeed," the ministry said in a post on Facebook.

"Behind his extraordinary career is a life shaped by family, conviction and a deep love for Singapore. As Professor Koh concludes his time with MFA, we reflect on his remarkable journey and enduring legacy."

MFA also shared a video interview with Prof Koh, who shared his thoughts on his time with the ministry.

He spoke of his appointment as Singapore's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), stating that he felt "obliged to defend independent Singapore".

When then-Minister of Foreign Affairs S Rajaratnam asked him to take up the role, Prof Koh commented that he was too young.

"I was 30 years old, no experience," he said. "I said I'm not qualified to be an ambassador to the UN."

However, the ministry had no one else qualified at the time, and Prof Koh took up the role anyways.

Thankfully, he was able to learn from other ambassadors in their senior years and picked up from their mentorship, he said.

He wasn't just Ambassador to the UN — he also became Ambassador to Canada and Mexico, and was the contact person with China.

Professor Koh was also the leader of the Singapore delegation to the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

This was a critical conference for Singapore to attend, as "Singapore is a country that lives by the sea", he stated.

At the time, the laws governing the sea were "breaking down", so when the UN wanted to convene the conference, Prof Koh had stressed the importance of Singapore's participation.

"I spent 10 years of my life in the Law of the Sea Conference," he recalled. "It's not a sacrifice - I enjoy my work."

'Don't be afraid of change'

Describing Singapore's success as "nothing short of a miracle", Professor Koh also shared that he's particularly proud of our country's ability to maintain harmony among the different races and religions.

"There is no country in the world except Singapore where the President and Chief Justice are both from a minority," he said. "No country in the world."

Singapore has also educated its youth well, with coverage of digital aspects such as robotics, artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

"So I'm going to tell young people, don't be afraid of change. We are well positioned to do well in the new world.

"I'm confident that we will continue to thrive and prosper," he said.

Prof Koh also shared on Facebook on Tuesday that he is currently based in the National University of Singapore's Centre for International Law after he received an invite to work there by the centre's chairman, Rena Lee, and director, Nilufer Oral.

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