Lee Khoon Choy


Lee Khoon Choy was a Malaysian-born teacher and later as a Singaporean journalist, politician and diplomat, and an author and painter. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Singapore, a member of the first five Parliaments of Singapore, Senior Minister of State, and ambassador and high commissioner to eight countries.

Early years

Lee was born in 1924 in Butterworth, Penang, and was educated at Yeok Keow Chinese School and Chung Ling High School in George Town, Penang.
During the Japanese occupation of Penang, he took refuge in his uncle's farm located in a jungle.
He left Singapore for London in 1949 to study journalism at Regent Street Polytechnic on a yearlong scholarship.

Career

Journalist (1946–1959)

In 1946 Lee commenced a career in journalism in Penang with Sin Pin Jit Poh, then left for Singapore to work for a number of Chinese and English newspapers before culminating in his working for The Straits Times in 1957.

Member of Parliament (1959–1984)

Resigning in 1959, Lee commenced his political career and was elected to the legislative assembly. He served as Minister of State for Culture, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Senior Minister of State in PMO. He stepped down from his parliamentary positions in 1984.

Diplomat (1968–1974, 1984–1988)

In 1968 he commenced his diplomatic career, serving as Singapore's Ambassador to Egypt, Ethiopia, Yugoslavia, Lebanon and Indonesia, and High Commissioner in Pakistan. On stepping down from Parliament, he served as Singapore's Ambassador to Japan and South Korea.

Retirement (1988–2016)

He retired from public service in 1988, founding his own firm, Eng Lee Investment Consultants, in 1990.
He has been and is a director of a number of companies. He is currently Chairman of Eng Lee Investment Consultants, and an Independent non-executive director of Koh Brothers Group Ltd. Previous positions held include:
Since 1966 Lee has published ten books, including:
Lee's hobbies included painting and playing musical instruments. Lee married Florence Khor Swee Hoon, and they had two sons. She died of cancer at age 30 in 1959. In 1962 he married Eng Ah Siam, with whom he has had five daughters. Lee died in his sleep at home aged 92, at 3am on 27 February 2016. He is survived by his second wife, seven children and 11 grandchildren.
Lee was one of the last People's Action Party old guard office holders still alive. Other PAP members of his generation include Othman Wok, Jek Yeun Thong, Chor Yeok Eng and Ong Pang Boon. Lee's death was the first to follow the death of party founder Lee Kuan Yew.

Honours and awards