Cover Simon Tay and Aun Koh
Simon Tay and Aun Koh
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An intimate fireside chat with the chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs and tenured associate professor Simon Tay about his latest book ‘Enigmas, Tay Seow Huah, My Father, Singapore’s Pioneer Spy Chief’
Spy narratives are often synonymous with iconic agencies like MI6 or the CIA. However, Singapore’s intelligence community remains largely shrouded in mystery. This makes the opportunity to hear Simon Tay discuss his father, the late Tay Seow Huah—Singapore’s first director of the Security and Intelligence Division (SID)—an exceptionally rare privilege.
In conversation with Tatler Singapore’s editor-in-chief Aun Koh, Tay revealed the profound motivation behind Enigmas,Tay Seow Huah, My Father, Singapore’s Pioneer Spy Chief. The book, a melding of history, personal memoir, and creative fiction, is the culmination of over four decades of grappling with the loss of his father, Singapore’s pioneering spy chief, who passed away in 1980 at the age of 47 when Tay was only 19.
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Simon Tay and Aun Koh
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The 1974 Laju incident, Singapore’s first international terrorist attack, serves as a dramatic backdrop for this memoir. Four armed men hijacked a ferryboat, holding five crew members hostage for nine tense days. The crisis gripped the nation and involved high-level negotiations with both Singapore and Japanese governments. While the incident is well-documented from the perspective of key figures like former President S. R. Nathan, this book offers a unique viewpoint from another pivotal player: Tay Seow Huah.
As Singapore’s inaugural head of the Security and Intelligence Division (SID), Tay Seow Huah was instrumental in shaping the nation’s security apparatus. His name became synonymous with intelligence and counterintelligence. The Laju incident thrust him into the public eye as he navigated the crisis, managing media relations while simultaneously coordinating with both domestic and foreign authorities.
Simon Tay
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44 years since his father’s passing, the younger Tay is honouring his legacy with a memoir that paints a portrait of a complex individual: the visionary leader, the dedicated public servant, and a husband and father.
During the dialogue, Tay regaled us with a treasure trove of anecdotes from his book.
One particularly intriguing tale involved his teacher’s persistent questioning about his father’s occupation. Despite Tay’s simple answer of “civil servant”, the teacher remained unconvinced, pressing for further details. It was only after a mysterious phone call, instructing the teacher not to delve beyond the title of “senior civil servant” that the matter was settled. This incident, among others, painted a vivid picture of the enigmatic aura surrounding Tay’s father.
Tay admits that because his father passed so young, he “didn’t really get to know him” as a young adult. But he revealed, “My roles as chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) and a professor of international law relates a bit to [my father’s] role in security intelligence.” At home, Tay finds himself discussing political issues with his son, mirroring the conversations he once shared with his father.
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The session concluded with a Q&A, where audience members eagerly asked Tay about his father’s influence on his life and the legacy he believed his father hoped to leave.
Tay, a distinguished figure in his own right as chairman of SIIA and a tenured law professor at the National University of Singapore, humbly responded that he believed his father would have wanted him to forge his own path.
Tay has made significant contributions to both academia and public life. Renowned for his insightful commentaries and award-winning authorial talent, he has published extensively on international relations and fiction. Prior to his academic pursuits, he held several high-profile public appointments, including chairman of the National Environment Agency and nominated member of Parliament.
As the evening drew to a close, guests mingled and enjoyed conversations over canapes and drinks sponsored by One Farrer Hotel. Many eagerly sought out Tay for a chance to meet the author and have their copies of his book signed.
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Nafeesa Saini is the Features Editor at Tatler Singapore, where she shapes long-form stories on culture, business, philanthropy, wellness, and the people driving change in Asia. With a deep interest in storytelling that intersects meaningfully with identity and impact, she has profiled a diverse range of visionaries, from scientific pioneers in AI and health to creative trailblazers and literary minds.
Nafeesa’s writing includes cover stories and profiles that spotlight influential voices, alongside commentary on the trends reshaping our world.
Off the clock, Nafeesa unwinds with fiction, a good thrift hunt, and ‘brainrot’ TikTok scroll—while always keeping one eye on her next cultural getaway, usually to Indonesia.
