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 (PMO), Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Senior Minister of State in PMO. He stepped down from his parliamentary positions in 1984.[4]
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.[4]
He retired from public service in 1988, founding his own firm, Eng Lee Investment Consultants, in 1990.[4]
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.[6] Previous positions held include:[4]
Chairman, Sino-American (UIC) Tours Corporation
Independent director, Metro Holdings
Non-Executive chairman, SSH Corporation (formerly known as Sin Soon Huat)
Lee, Khoon Choy (2013) Lee, Khoon Choy (2013). Golden Dragon and Purple Phoenix: The Chinese and Their Multi-Ethnic Descendants in Southeast Asia. Hackensack, New Jersey: World Scientific. p. 604. doi:10.1142/8357. ISBN978-981-4383-43-1.
Lee, Khoon Choy (2005) Choy, Lee Khoon (2005). Pioneers of Modern China: Understanding the Inscrutable Chinese. Hackensack, New Jersey: World Scientific. p. 576. doi:10.1142/5921. ISBN978-981-256-618-8.
Lee, Khoon Choy (1999) A fragile nation: the Indonesian crisis. World Scientific Publishing.
Lee, Khoon Choy (1995) Japan: Between Myth and Reality. World Scientific Publishing. ISBN9810218656, 9789810218652.
Lee, Khoon Choy (1993) Diplomacy of a Tiny State. World Scientific Publishing. ISBN9810212194.
Lee, Khoon Choy (1976) Indonesia: Between Myth and Reality.
Lee married Florence Khor Swee Hoon, and they had two sons. Khor 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.[7] He is survived by his second wife, seven children and 11 grandchildren.[8]
1974: (Indonesian) Bintang Bakti Utama (Meritorious Service Star) for his work in enhancing relations between Indonesia and Singapore.
1986: The Scholarly Achievement Award by the Japan Institute of Oriental Philosophy for his achievements in the research and development of eastern philosophy, thought and culture.
1988: (South Korean) Order of Diplomatic Service Merit for his service in promoting relations between South Korea and Singapore.
1990: (Singaporean) Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Distinguished Service Order) in recognition of his contributions.
1997: Made an honorary member of the Chinese National Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing for his contributions in the field of humanities and social sciences.
The Lee Khoon Choy Collection at the National Library of Singapore comprises monographs, periodicals and documents pertaining to East Asian culture, art and history. These were acquired from his years of travel around the globe as a journalist, politician, artist and author. Collection Highlights: [1][2][3][4]
