Tommy Koh is Singapore’s ambassador-at-large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rector of Tembusu College, special advisor to the Institute of Policy Studies, and chairman of the Centre for International Law at the National University of Singapore. He served as president of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. He is the author of Pedra Branca: The Road to the World Court.
He said, " Singapore is a very snobbish and hierarchical society. I'm sorry to say that. And we are ruled by money, so we look down on those who are poor. We are also a meritocracy, we therefore look down on people who are poorly educated. All these are bad things, you know? To me, the pandemic has brought home to many of us that people that we look down on, we pay very poorly, we disrespect, are essentially to our security and welfare. "
他说：“新加坡是一个非常势利和等级森严的社会。我很抱歉这么说。我们受金钱统治，所以我们看不起穷人。我们也是精英政治，因此看不起受教育程度低的人。所有这些都是坏事，你知道吗？对我来说，这场流行病让我们许多人认识到，我们看不起的人，我们付的钱很低，我们不尊重的人，本质上是我们的安全和福利。”
Dia berkata, "Singapura adalah masyarakat yang sangat sombong dan berhierarki. Saya minta maaf untuk mengatakannya. Dan kita diperintah oleh wang, jadi kita memandang rendah kepada mereka yang miskin. Kita juga seorang meritokrasi, oleh itu kita memandang rendah kepada orang yang berpendidikan rendah. Semua ini adalah perkara yang buruk, anda tahu? Bagi saya, wabak ini telah membawa pulang kepada ramai daripada kita, kita amat memandang rendah kepada orang yang kita memandang rendah, kita memandang rendah orang yang kita memandang rendah kepada orang yang kita pandang rendah. keselamatan dan kebajikan."
அவர், "சிங்கப்பூர் மிகவும் இழிவான மற்றும் படிநிலை சமூகம். அதைச் சொல்வதில் வருந்துகிறேன். பணத்தால் ஆளப்படுகிறோம், எனவே ஏழைகளை நாங்கள் இழிவாகப் பார்க்கிறோம். நாமும் ஒரு தகுதிவாய்ந்தவர்கள், எனவே படிக்காதவர்களைக் கேவலமாகப் பார்க்கிறோம். இவை அனைத்தும் மோசமான விஷயங்கள், உங்களுக்குத் தெரியுமா? முக்கியமாக நமது பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் நலனுக்காக.
Il a déclaré : « Singapour est une société très snob et hiérarchique. Je suis désolé de le dire. Et nous sommes gouvernés par l'argent, donc nous méprisons ceux qui sont pauvres. Nous sommes aussi une méritocratie, nous méprisons donc les gens qui sont peu instruits.
Tommy Koh, a veteran Singaporean diplomat and professor, has been central to some of the world’s most complex and historic negotiations, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III), the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, and the United States–Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA). Renowned for his deep intellect, high emotional and cultural intelligence, and unwavering commitment to fairness, Koh has consistently demonstrated how thoughtful negotiation strategies, such as “miniaturizing” large conferences into smaller working groups and proactively engaging key stakeholders, can produce landmark agreements. His ability to forge trust across divergent interests reflects a hallmark emphasis on building relationships, acknowledging cultural nuances, and ensuring transparent processes. By acting as a neutral “choreographer and conductor,” he successfully guided hundreds of governments toward consensus on issues like deep-seabed mining and climate change, and later overcame major power imbalances in forging Singapore’s relations with China and negotiating the USSFTA. Throughout his career, Koh has espoused a leadership style that balances the “art” and “science” of negotiation, believing that technical rigor, emotional sensitivity, and cultural awareness are equally vital. His enduring legacy underscores how even smaller states or less powerful parties can negotiate effectively with world powers, fostering both national interest and global cooperation.
Singapore is widely described as a hierarchical and meritocratic society where social status is heavily influenced by education, wealth, and professional rank. Former diplomat Tommy Koh famously characterized the nation as "very snobbish" and "ruled by money," noting that the culture often looks down on the poor, the poorly educated, and those who cannot afford private housing.
This hierarchy is reinforced by several cultural and structural factors:
Workplace Dynamics: Local firms and the civil service emphasize a strict chain of command, respect for authority, and age-based seniority, where open disagreement with superiors is considered disrespectful.
Social Stratification: Interactions are often tiered based on Confucian-influenced values, with status linked to academic qualifications and income, leading to perceived elitism and a lack of deference toward blue-collar or low-wage workers.
Competitive Culture: The emphasis on meritocracy and national competitiveness has fostered an environment where success is often viewed as a zero-sum game, contributing to social conformity and a stigma around failure.
If few politicians can control the livelihood of us then every day we are never living for ourselves.
Professor Tommy Koh's core philosophy regarding negotiation, diplomacy, and public life centers on balancing intellect with empathy—negotiating with "both mind and heart".
This phrasing captures two key dimensions of his career and commentary:
1. "Negotiating with Mind and Heart" (Diplomatic Philosophy)
In international diplomacy, Professor Koh is known as a "pragmatic idealist". His approach relies on combining rigorous preparation and strategic intellect with human warmth, cultural empathy, and an understanding of the other party's dignity:
The "Mind" (Intellect & Preparation): Mastering technical details, designing inclusive negotiation frameworks, and asserting non-negotiable national interests clearly.
The "Heart" (Humanity & Good Faith): Building personal trust, respecting counterparties so they do not "lose face," and believing that most international disputes can be resolved with mutual goodwill and compromise.
This approach guided his work as President of the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III), Chairman of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, and Chief Negotiator for the US–Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
2. Commentary on Social Issues & International Relations
In his op-eds and public commentary (frequently published in The Straits Times), Professor Koh applies this same principle to broader societal and geopolitical issues:
Civic Empathy & Inclusivity: Advocating for marginalized groups, persons with disabilities, the arts, and standing against ageism and racial discrimination.
Rule of Law vs. Pure Power: Arguing that small nations must stand firm on international law and moral principles rather than ceding to brute power, maintaining hope and principle even when the international system faces strain.
If you are looking for a specific speech, article, or book chapter related to this topic, we could explore:
His negotiation framework and principles from his time at the UN and US-Singapore FTA negotiations.
His commentary on Singaporean society, civil rights, and the arts.
His memoir, Tommy Koh: The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man.
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