Ambassador-at-Large Professor Tommy Koh delivered one of seven eulogies for former President S R Nathan at the latter's State Funeral today (Aug 26).

Koh was speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Singapore Foreign Service. He said that Mr Nathan played a key role in the founding of the ministry and foreign service.

Koh shared three "enduring contributions" Mr Nathan made.

1. Transforming the MFA

The first was how Mr Nathan was given two years by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to transform the MFA into a first class one or it will be closed down and made into a department of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Mr Nathan succeeded in doing so, "from no class to first class" according to Koh.

Koh shared that Mr Nathan "demanded discipline, hard work, and competence. Most of all, he demanded loyalty and dedication to duty. However, behind the tough exterior was a warm, kind and loyal heart."

2. Mr Nathan led by example in defending Singapore's interests abroad.

Next Koh said that Mr Nathan "taught us to be courageous and to defend Singapore's interests without fear or hesitation." He cited examples of S R Nathan's "heroic role" in the Laju incident as well as how during his time as Ambassador in Washington, Mr Nathan defended Singapore's position "against vicious attacks" during the Michael Fay case. Koh said that Mr Nathan showed that although Singapore is a small country, it cannot be bullied, even by major powers.

3. Mr Nathan's role in strengthening Singapore's links with other countries as a President.

Lastly, Koh said Mr Nathan's most important diplomatic role was as the sixth President of Singapore. During his 12-year tenure, Mr Nathan visited more countries than all his predecessors combined.

Koh noted that Mr Nathan strengthened Singapore's links with other countries and expanded the country's political and economic space. Koh said that because of how Mr Nathan had a way establishing rapport and putting people at ease, he was able to convert his global network of friends into friends of Singapore.

Koh concluded the eulogy by saying that Mr Nathan was "truly our super Ambassador to the world."

Top image from CNA Twitter

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