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Overnight, Raja found himself the foreign minister of an independent micro-state that was predicted by many to fail. He had never dreamt of such an office for Singapore – not even in his “wildest nightmares” – let alone for him to hold it. Yet here he was, expected to represent Singapore to the world, secure its international recognition, and reimagine its future.
Like most of the two million people on the island, he was shaken to the core by the seismic political rupture of 9 August 1965. To carry out his new role, however, he had to keep to himself that which most wounded him, and all his deepest fears and anxieties.
The intense political scrutiny, with foreign powers sizing up the country's prospects, made his position arguably among the most sensitive and high-profile in the Cabinet other than the prime minister’s. That thrust him into a position of great responsibility – and vulnerability.
His first remarks on foreign policy had to be formed literally on the fly. As soon as he stepped off the plane from KL at the Singapore airport on 10 August, he was surrounded by reporters pressing him about Singapore's foreign policy. An event as ominous and confusing as Singapore's sudden expulsion from Malaysia made his ability to think on his feet more important than ever.
Despite being visibly dog-tired, he managed to articulate a coherent answer. First, Singapore would pursue a non-aligned policy in respect to the “power struggle” between the Communist and Western blocs. Second, it would be friendly with all countries that recognised its integrity and sovereignty, regardless of their ideologies. Third, it would ensure that foreign policy became a means of underpinning its domestic policy and attitudes. Fourth, it would seek to preserve the country's integrity and independence. Finally – despite the Separation – it would “ensure that our foreign policy safeguards also the interests of Malaysia”.
That unscripted performance basically set the pattern for those early chaotic days, when almost everything had to be improvised. It also laid out the general direction for Singapore's foreign policy and its cardinal principles. For an unbriefed minister literally on his first day on the job, his response was remarkably lucid and authoritative – a classic example of his ability to maintain poise in even the most stressful of times.
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