Tommy Koh’s new book reveals he was asked to run for UN secretary-general and for president

SINGAPORE – It is one of the more stirring clips: first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew addressing a joint session of the US Congress in 1985, his final words bringing his audience to their feet. But such a moment of international recognition would not even have been fathomed had it not been for the “craziness” of then Ambassador to the US Tommy Koh. His wild idea to secure an invitation for Mr Lee was stonewalled by the US State Department and was seen as a pipe dream by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) back home. Yet, in response to…