Book review: The Tommy Koh Reader, by Tommy Koh

by Tommy Koh
World Scientific Publishing
3.5 star

Professor Tommy Koh Thong-bee's reputation is enough to make almost anyone feel comparatively inadequate. Described in the foreword of his new self-anthology as "an engaged citizen, and a man of goodwill, modesty and warm generosity", Koh studied at two top universities: Harvard and Cambridge.

Now he is the chairman of Singapore's Centre for International Law and the country's ambassador-at-large - great job title. During his distinguished career, he has chaired two dispute panels for the World Trade Organisation and run many heavyweight cultural organisations, winning many honours. In 1998, he was awarded the Fok Ying Tung Southeast Asia Prize by the Fok Ying Tung Foundation in Hong Kong. In 2006, the UN Environment Programme named him Champion of the Earth. This year, he will receive Harvard's 2014 Great Negotiator Award. Nice timing.

compiles the high-flier's best essays and lectures, illuminating his high-profile career. In addition, the book includes Koh's articles on subjects including diplomacy, culture and the environment. His family background features too - his portraits of his Shanghainese mother and father from Fujian, who loved travelling, are charming.

"He came to know many different countries, cultures and peoples. I think the experience reinforced his basic instinct that below the surface, differences of skin pigmentation, language, religion and custom, we are all members of the human family. He was very Singaporean in his freedom from racial, religious and linguistic prejudices. I think I have inherited from my father my intolerance for any form of prejudice," Koh writes.

Koh also has an endearing streak of compassion. He argues that Singapore should consider introducing a minimum wage - a S$150 (HK$910) increase over three years - because it is the right thing to do and it should work.