IN HIS characteristically well crafted and enlightening commentary last Wednesday, 'Geneva of the East, Venice of 21st century', Professor Tommy Koh continues to inspire many of us who admire him for his wisdom, intellect, compassion and the courage of his convictions.

As a social science research librarian, I am particularly elated that Prof Koh, in his sixth aspiration, exhorted for 'more funds for research in the social sciences and humanities; and a greater willingness on the part of the Government to release official data to and declassify documents for researchers'.

May I follow up on his innate passion for the world of libraries, which perhaps due to space constraints he did not elaborate on? If we aim to be the intellectual and social science research centre in the region, funding for research in the social sciences and humanities must include a substantial sum for libraries in research and academic institutions. This is because libraries are essential laboratories to social scientists, just as clinical laboratories are to physical scientists.

Ch'ng Kim See (Ms)

This article was first published in The Straits Times.