Istana 3

Of Prestige and Distinction President Yusof Ishak presenting State Awards at the Istana on 13 Nov 1965.

It takes months. One interview after another is followed by careful discussion.

The decision to find the best among the best in Singapore is a momentous one which the panel takes very seriously.

Finally, the award winners are shortlisted.

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pecial invitations featuring the Presidential Crest are sent out and on what would be an unforgettable day for the award winners; they troop into the Istana with proud friends and family in tow to receive their President’s Award trophy and certificate from the President himself in a ceremony full of grandeur and solemnity. The photos they take with the President will be framed up and displayed prominently for posterity.

President’s Awards have been a hallmark of Singapore society since independence, recognising the efforts of individuals who strive for excellence in various fields as our young nation progresses. This is particularly relevant for a small nation with no natural resources.

Singapore has always invested in the development of its people. Over the years, outstanding youths and professionals including nurses and teachers have joined community leaders, artists and designers in receiving special invitations to meet the President and receive President’s Awards in the Istana.

Group photograph of President Wee Kim Wee and Mrs Wee with scholars and their families during the President’s Scholarship Awards Presentation at the Istana in Aug 1987.

The President’s Scholars from left in the bottom row are Spencer Phua, Low Pat Chin, Wong Tien Yin, Sharon Snodgrass, Marion Chia and Karolyn Gin.

THE ISTANA SETTING The Istana provides a fitting venue for recognition of the contributions and achievements of the recipients of President’s Awards.

The first three years of the President’s Design Award ceremony were held at arts venues. However, owing to a power failure in the venue where the event was held in 2008, President S R Nathan invited the organisers to conduct the 2009 ceremony in the Istana, where it has been held since then.

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“ I received the Cultural Medallion in 1983 and it was held in a hotel in Liang Court. The organisers then moved it to the Shangri-La Hotel for a few years, after which the committee decided that such a prestigious presentation should be done at the Istana. I attended one Cultural Medallion presentation at the Istana, and I remember that the grounds and the whole compound was larger than I thought.”

VIVIEN GOH, Cultural Medallion recipient in 1983

President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Mrs Mary Tan speaking to Cultural Medallion recipients and guests on 16 Oct 2014.

Similarly, the Cultural Medallion award ceremony was previously conducted at hotels and other venues until 2002, when it was decided that the Istana venue was more befitting of the award’s stature. And while it had previously been conferred by a Government Minister, from 2006, it was thought that the Medallion would more suitably be presented by the President.

The formal and dignified Istana setting has always beautifully framed such award events. More than a few family members have been moved to tears to see their loved ones receiving a President’s Award from the President himself, either in the stately marbled and chandeliered State Room, or out on the lawn as the setting sun bathes the Istana in gold.

UPLIFTING SINGAPORE’S YOUTH Over the years, the type of President’s Awards given out, and the evolution of new awards, are a barometer of Singapore’s progress.

The lens has always been firmly focused on the youth, for it is the young ones who will one day carry the weight of the nation on their shoulders. As such, the Istana is where all manner of outstanding youths—from academic achievers to youth leaders—have received President’s Awards.

The significance of their receiving a President’s Award in the Istana sends a very clear signal to their peers and to the rest of their nation: The recipients may be young, but their contributions, present and future, are valued by the highest office in the land. Others, like them, can aspire to reach the same heights.

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“ The immaculate lawns surrounding the stately white buildings…provoked a deep sense of pride and honour during the event.”

TAN WEE KING, President’s Award for Nurses recipient in 2000

President Wee Kim Wee with Scouts and Guides during the President’s Scout and Guide Awards ceremony at the Istana in Oct 1988.

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In particular, when youths from humble backgrounds receive these awards, it is a reflection of the meritocratic principles which Singapore is based on. Anyone, with hard work and dedication, can get a Presidential pat on the back.

One President’s Award recipient, who grew up in a kampong, recalled going on a rare shopping spree to buy a long black skirt and white top which she wore to receive her award. “We were frugal and life was simple. My clothes were largely hand-me-downs from my sister,” she said.

Some of the oldest youth development awards in Singapore were a legacy from Singapore’s colonial past: The President’s Scout Award and President’s Guide Award. These used to be known as the Queen’s Scout Award and the Queen’s Guide Award. With Singapore’s independence, the awards were re-named the President’s Scout Award and President’s Guide Award.

Today, the Scouts and Girl Guides are familiarly known as uniformed groups which students can join after school—dedicated to developing youths based on principles and values built up through various types of activities including camp craft and community work. The President’s Award, given to the most outstanding youths in the Scouts and Girl Guides, honours these values which will ultimately create morally upright, honourable and duty-bound youths to serve the nation.

The long history of the award means that those who received their award from the President in the 60s and 70s, and who continued their association with the Scouts or Girl Guides, are now organising it for

“ It was a proud moment for my parents when they learned that I was conferred the President’s Scholarship. To them, the scholarship was a gift from a Government that valued education and opened up hitherto unknown and perhaps unavailable opportunities for their daughter to realise her potential. They were deeply grateful and shared their aspirations for me to give my best to Singapore, a country which my parents now called home. I was equally amazed and touched that prominent members of society, the top echelons of government and political leaders had so graciously given of their time to be present to witness the occasion personally hosted by the President.”

LOKE-YEO TECK YONG, President’s Scholarship Award recipient in 1986

President Wee Kim Wee speaking during the President’s Scholarship Award ceremony at the Istana on 3 Jul 1986.

President S R Nathan hosts the Boys’ Brigade (BB) 75th anniversary jubilee reception for BB Volunteers at the Istana in Jan 2005.

younger recipients. There is the inevitable nostalgia as they see young teenagers walking through the same paces they once did, and the pride as they foresee these recipients giving back to the community as they have done.

A third uniformed group which acknowledges its young outstanding members at the highest level is the Boys’ Brigade. The first Boys’ Brigade President’s Award was given out by President S R Nathan in 2005, which was also the year the organisation celebrated its 75th anniversary.

It was introduced to set a significant benchmark for post-secondary boys in the Primers Programme of the Boys’ Brigade in Singapore. The award celebrated their achievements and capabilities as consistent allrounders, and leaders of distinction with the desire to serve others and impact their community.

Another aspect of youth development is the awarding of academic scholarships, which not only provides a platform for the best and brightest students in Singapore to pursue their dreams, but also inspire other students to reach for the sky.

The President’s Scholarship Award is the most prestigious statefunded undergraduate scholarship in Singapore, and like the uniformed group awards, has a long history in Singapore.

Pre-independence, Singapore’s top students received the Queen’s Scholarship from the British government. The Singapore State Scholarship took its place after Singapore was granted self-government in 1959. President Tony Tan was a Singapore State Scholar! The scholarship was renamed the Yang di-Pertuan Negara Scholarship in OF PRESTIGE AND DISTINC TION

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“ When I received the award, I felt very honoured as I was the only recipient in my batch from a neighbourhood school— Whitley Secondary—and I would be receiving the award from the President himself. It was my first time going to Istana.

I feel that the Istana setting definitely contributes to the grandness of the event.”

GABRIEL THAM, President’s Scout Award recipient in 2007

President Ong Teng Cheong (centre) presenting awards at the President’s Scout and Guide Awards ceremony at the Istana in Oct 1994.

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“ I received the award in 1974 and am now the Executive Director of the Singapore Scout Association, which means that I am the person responsible from the Scout Association to oversee the awards and ensure that all steps are taken for the smooth running of the ceremony! Till this day, each time I walk into the State Room, I remember the rehearsal and the moment when my name was called, marching to the stage with pride to receive the certificate from then-Head-of-State, President Benjamin Sheares, and the glares of the camera followed by the interview with the Malay paper journalist and later appearing in a Malay programme on TV. I still have the newspaper cutting with my photo in the Malay newspaper, Berita Harian, which was published on 26 July 1974. I do get emotional at times when I see the Venture Scouts receiving their certificates from the President now, because I was once in their shoes.”

from left to right:

Presentation of the President’s Scout Award by President Benjamin Sheares to recipients Mohd Effendy and a fellow scout in 1974.

President Yusof Ishak at the investiture of new Association Awards by the Singapore Scout Association at the Istana in Oct 1960.

MOHD EFFENDY, President’s Scout Award recipient in 1974

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“ I was honoured to receive the award. I felt proud that my entire family could be at the award event to witness the moment, and I hoped the award could inspire my family, peers and juniors to pursue excellence in all their pursuits.”

JOSIAH TAN, Boys’ Brigade President’s Award recipient in 2013

1964, when Singapore was part of the Federation of Malaysia, and this was finally renamed the President’s Scholarship in 1966 following Singapore’s separation from Malaysia. The first President’s Scholarship Award presentation ceremony was held at the Istana on 23 April 1966 to accord the scholarship the prestige it deserves.

Amongst the ranks of President’s Scholars are ministers and highflying civil servants, including current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. To receive the scholarship, the recipients must demonstrate excellence in both academic performance and co-curricular activities, a strong ethos of public service, soundness of character, and a potential to lead. The recipients, typically numbering fewer than five, are invited to the Istana with their families to attend a formal ceremony which has not changed significantly in the way it is conducted over the years.

Reflecting the gravitas of the occasion, the formalities start with the reading of citations and end with a Western-style dinner with VIPs including politicians and foreign guests.

As the Istana gradually widened its doors to more segments of Singapore society, scholars receiving the Overseas Merit Scholarship (OMS) were invited into the Istana for the first time in 2002.

This scholarship is the next most prestigious scholarship after the President’s Scholarship. The OMS award ceremony used to be held in hotels, together with other publicly-funded scholarships. However, when the public service decided that each Ministry should conduct its own scholarship ceremonies, the OMS ceremony was brought to the Istana as the scholarship cut across ministries.

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President Tony Tan speaking with award recipients after the presentation ceremony for the Boys’ Brigade President’s Award at the Istana on 16 Jul 2013.

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“ When my friend told me I was receiving the award, I thought they were joking.

Being the first male nurse to get the award meant that I was able to show that nursing is not just a female profession, males can do it too.”

EDWARD POON WING HONG, President’s Award for Nurses recipient in 2004

RECOGNISING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT As Singapore developed and thrived, new President’s Awards were initiated to acknowledge the sterling efforts of top performers in their respective professions. In giving them the President’s nod, the achievements of the winners were thrown into sharp relief as the public realised how important their contributions—and that of their entire profession—were. The awards served to inspire excellence in the professions, and collectively advance Singapore’s development in these various sectors.

Such profession-specific awards include: The President’s Award for Teachers which was introduced in 1998, the President’s Award for the Environment which was introduced in 2006, and the President’s Science and Technology Award which was introduced in 2009.

These three awards respectively pay homage to the critical role which teachers play in moulding the future of Singapore, the recognition that environmental and water resource sustainability depended on the involvement of partners in the people and private sectors, and the growing importance of exceptional research scientists and engineers to Singapore’s advancement.

In healthcare, the President’s Award for Nurses which was first given out in 2000 is the highest accolade of the nursing profession, and it acknowledged the until-then invisible but crucial support which nurses provided in the delivery of Singapore’s healthcare services. Since its inception, 45 nurses from a variety of public and private healthcare institutions, hospitals and polyclinics, have received the award.

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from left to right:

President S R Nathan and Mrs Nathan with recipients of the President’s Award for Nurses in 2004.

President S R Nathan with one of the award recipients at the President’s Award for the Environment at the Istana on 8 Oct 2010.

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President Tony Tan presenting the President’s Award for the Environment to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), represented

by Mr Bruce Poh, CEO of ITE.

“ In line with the President’s Design Award ceremony, we usually have an exhibition in the State Room and Reception Room, to showcase the recipient’s works. The President will be brought through the exhibit.”

CELINE LEE, Assistant Director of Centre Programming, DesignSingapore Council

from left to right:

President Tony Tan interacting with the award recipients of the President’s Design Award 2013 at the Istana on 3 Dec 2013.

President and Mrs Tan taking a closer look at the winning design “Eyelet Flip”

by Mr Yang Wah Kiang and his team from Nanyang Optical Pte Ltd during the President’s Design Award 2014 at the Istana on 25 Nov 2014.

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The President’s Design Award was started in 2006 to acknowledge a then-small but growing professional force in Singapore: The architects and designers.

The award recognises excellence across all design disciplines, including advertising design and visual communications, architecture and urban design, fashion design, furniture design, interior design, landscape design, product and industrial design. It is jointly administered by the DesignSingapore Council and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

The award is split into two different categories: One is for individuals with a body of work, while the other is for specific designs. Between 2006 and 2014, a total of 33 Designers of the Year and 76 Designs of the Year were conferred the award.

The way the awards are conducted reflect its nature. The “design” nature of the President’s Design Award means that as there are physical products and visuals to see, touch and appreciate up-close, an exhibition for visitors is held in the Istana showcasing the winning works.

A highlight of the President’s Award for the Environment is the delicious hawker fare which is always enjoyed by guests and recipients alike. These dishes, prepared by local hawkers, are featured to symbolise the National Environment Agency’s role in managing and regulating hawker centres in Singapore. In 2015, to mark the award’s 10th anniversary, the award ceremony was accompanied by a “walk of fame” exhibition of all the past and present-year award winners.

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Group photo of award recipients of the President’s Design Award 2012.

“ After the DesignSingapore Council was established in 2003, talk turned to how there was a need to recognise— at the highest level—that design was a real profession. At the same time, the Urban Redevelopment Authority was thinking of starting an award to recognise architects.

We had a conversation, and that was how the President’s Design Award came about.”

YEO PIAH CHOO, Director of Industry Development, DesignSingapore Council

“ One of the biggest highlights of my life was receiving the Cultural Medallion from President S R Nathan at the Istana in 2006. I performed the Bach Solo Partita 3 Preludio and Elgar’s Salut D’Amor with pianist Lim Yan playing on a piano which was placed on a stage built in the main Ballroom. I will always remember that evening when I felt so happy and honoured.

The award certificate hangs on my Music room wall, above my piano.”

LYNNETTE SEAH, Cultural Medallion recipient in 2006

The Cultural Medallion recognises creative pursuit. It was instituted in 1979 as an initiative of the late President Ong Teng Cheong, who was at the time Singapore’s Minister for Culture.

The Medallion, which is Singapore’s pinnacle arts award, recognises artistes for their artistic excellence, commitment to the arts and contributions to enriching Singapore’s arts and cultural landscape.

Since 2006, the award has been conferred by the President of Singapore. To date, until 2014, the Cultural Medallion has been conferred on 119 artists from a wide variety of fields including dance, theatre, literature, music, photography, art and film. When performing artists are among the recipients, they sometimes lend special touches to the award ceremonies by showcasing their craft.

The Istana is also where legal eagles at the peak of their profession are invited in to dine with the President. The opening of the legal year is an annual event where the Chief Justice shares his visions and goals for the year ahead. It is also when Senior Counsel—lawyers who possess outstanding ability as advocates, extensive knowledge of the law and the highest professional standing—are appointed. They, along with other members of the judiciary, representatives from the Ministry of Law, Legal Service Commission, Attorney-General’s Chambers, the Law Society and the Academia, are invited to the Istana for an Opening of the Legal Year dinner.

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President S R Nathan presenting the Cultural Medallion to Lynnette Seah in 2006.

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President and Mrs Tan engaging in a discussion with long-serving volunteers and staff from Metta Welfare Association, Methodist Welfare Services and Society for the Physically Disabled, over tea on 11 Feb 2013. President and Mrs Tan would invite staff and volunteers of Volunteer Welfare Organisations to tea at the Istana to encourage them in their work.

The President’s Challenge (PC) 2015 Launch & Commemorative Dinner held at the Istana on 13 Mar 2015.

PROMOTING CHARITY AND VOLUNTEERISM The hallmark of a civil society is one in which its people care for one another.

Many Singaporeans would be familiar with President’s Challenge activities, which has raised more than $150 million for various charities since 2000.

Through the President’s Challenge Volunteer Drive and the President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award launched in 2012

by President Tony Tan, the President’s Challenge also seeks to rally Singaporeans to give of one’s time, expertise and enterprise to social causes. The President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award is the first award within the social enterprise sector in Singapore that recognises outstanding social enterprises for their contributions made to the community.

The President’s Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards were introduced in 2004 by President S R Nathan to honour those who have set benchmarks of excellence in encouraging the spirit of giving in Singapore.

The President also presents the Outstanding Social Worker Award and the Promising Social Worker Award to those who have made outstanding contributions in the social work sector. Started in 1998, these are the nation’s highest honours for social workers.

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President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Mrs Mary Tan and thenacting Minister for Social and Family Development, Mr Chan Chun Sing, speaking with Social Enterprise of the Year award recipient Eighteen Chefs Pte Ltd—Benny Se Teo and team—at the Istana on 6 Dec 2012.

“ The proudest moment was having my family members there to witness the award ceremony at the Istana. It was a memorable experience especially for my teenage daughter because she was young and has never witnessed such a grand event.”

CYNTHIA PANG, President’s Award for Nurses recipient in 2005.

President S R Nathan in a group photo with the recipients of the Outstanding Social Worker Award, at the Istana on 22 Jan 2003.

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Most of the time, we were taking instructions on playing host on behalf of the President, ensuring that his functions went on smoothly without a hitch. Everything is pre-planned, it works like clockwork. It’s not very different from being in the Singapore Armed Forces, where everything is planned to precision.”

ALFRED GOH KOK KEE, Aide-de-Camp to the President (1990–1996)

Captain (CPT) Alfred Goh being appointed Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the President in a ceremony held at the Istana on 6 Apr 1991.

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A DIGNIFIED CEREMONY For all those who are invited into the Istana to receive awards from the President, the occasion is usually solemn and dignified, in line with the prestige of the award and the gravitas of the venue. Everything is as it should be, and everything has its place. To that end, award organisers spend a fair amount of time planning for and creating an Istana-worthy event.

These are usually the result of months of hard work which starts with the booking of the President’s time as well as other guests, to pinning down the nitty-gritties like making sure that everyone has car labels which allow them to enter the Istana grounds.

A group of people who are essential to the smooth running of such events are the President’s Aides-de-Camp, or ADCs. These are the men in uniform who are always seen standing next to the President at official functions. The number of ADCs has risen over the last few decades as the President’s duties have increased significantly. From one full-time ADC, this was increased to two in 1993. Currently, there are three full-time ADCs on secondment from the uniformed services.

In 2006, in order to reflect the growing role of women, a full-time lady ADC was added for the first time to join her male counterparts.

The full-time ADCs are assisted by Honorary ADCs comprising regular and reservist senior officers in the military, police force and civil defence force, working on a voluntary basis on top of their fulltime jobs to help organise and run the President’s events.

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“ I feel awesome to be amongst the specially selected people invited to an elegant place, exclusively reserved for the President and Prime Minister to receive and entertain foreign diplomats and dignitaries.”

GWEE PEK HOON, President’s Award for Nurses recipient in 2007

To ensure that there are enough hands on deck, each award event is usually a collaborative effort which includes the Istana household staff, the President’s Aide-de-Camp and a team from the organisation which is running the award. To organise the President’s Scholarship Award, for instance, a team of about 30 from the Public Service Division’s scholarship department are mobilised for the purpose.

They plan for every contingency, preparing umbrellas and torches for wet weather and dark carpark corners, and on the day itself keep a vigilant eye out for anything which might mar the perfection of the occasion: Making sure that table name tags are placed at the right angle so there will be no glare for the person sitting opposite, placing name tags behind the chairs at exactly the same height, placing chairs precisely so nobody’s leg will bump against a table leg.

The formality of the ceremony also means that the award recipients have to go through the paces to make sure they get the steps right: Where to walk, where to turn, where to stop. This has a bearing on the feel of the entire event, which is meticulously planned and controlled to ensure proper decorum fitting of the event. Award recipients may feel the occasional nervous twinge—as the lights shine on them and as they gaze upon the President’s face, a thousand thoughts go through their heads.

But once the formalities are dispensed with, these President’s Award events offer a priceless opportunity for the President to meet and mingle with those present.

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President Tony Tan Keng Yam with Mrs Mary Tan in a group photo with recipients of the President’s Award for Nurses on 24 Jul 2012. Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong (left) was also present.

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President Tony Tan speaking with award recipients of the Boy’s Brigade President’s Award and their family members, at the Istana on 14 Jul 2015.

“ The President was kindly, affable, and soft-spoken. He took his time to ask us questions individually and make us reflect on our Primers journey. He commended the Brigade for its outstanding work among boys. Towards the end, the parents of a fellow awardee took out an old photo, which was of them with the then-Minister of Finance Tony Tan. They asked for his autograph, and that ended the conversation on a very nostalgic and pleasant note. Even though it was brief, it was truly memorable.”

SIA CHIN LEONG, Boys’ Brigade President’s Award recipient in 2015

“ I have noticed that those who are from humble families tend to be very excited, and concerned about sitting at the same table as the President. I remember one particular scholar, from a humble background, who was worried because his father was going to sit next to President S R Nathan. The Aide-de-Camp assured him that the President was a people person.

During the dinner, his father and the President seemed to get along quite well!”

GRACE SOH, Assistant Director, Business Partnerships, Public Service Division

President S R Nathan chatting with guests at the dinner after the presentation ceremony of the President’s Scholarship Award held at the Istana on 4 Aug 2000.

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While recipients and their families may feel nervous at the thought of meeting a man whose formal portrait they see almost everywhere, they leave at the end of the night with memories of warm handshakes, hearty conversations, and enduring memories of small gestures.

In the case of one President’s Scholarship Award recipient, she had an unforgettable encounter with President Wee Kim Wee. He found out that she and her family had taken a taxi to the Istana for the award ceremony, and were going to take a taxi back home. “He asked his Aide-de-Camp to personally escort and give us a ride home!” she said.

“I truly remember his kindness and warmth.”

The impact of such awards goes far beyond the event. Many have been inspired by their President’s Award-winning colleagues, and many award recipients themselves have gone on to multiply their impact on their peers.

Indeed, numerous President’s Award recipients, from the youths to the adult professionals, have lived up to their awards by continuing to make a difference in their various fields, in Singapore and sometimes even beyond.

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“ When I was conferred the award, I primarily felt relieved and excited.

After service to my company for six years, two of which as the Head Primer, being conferred this award marked the end of my journey as a boy, and relieved me of the duties I held. The excitement was due to the doors that have been opened by receiving this award, and the greater capacities I could serve in.”

MATTHEW GOH, Boys’ Brigade President’s Award recipient in 2015

President Tony Tan Keng Yam presenting the award to Matthew Goh at the Boys’ Brigade President’s Award Ceremony on 14 Jul 2015.

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“ Sharing with and inspiring our peers is a large part of what we do as teachers. For me, as a teacher-researcher, my passion is in how to engage and teach Physics to students from the Normal Technical stream, which can be challenging. Just after I won the award, I was invited to three schools which read about me in the newspapers to talk to their teachers. In that sense, the award, by putting me in sight of more teachers, allows me to help my peers and multiply my impact on such students, across schools.”

MUHAMMAD NAZIR BIN AMIR, President’s Award for Teachers recipient in 2014

President Tony Tan Keng Yam presenting the President’s Award for Teachers to Dr Muhammad Nazir Bin Amir at the Istana on 29 Aug 2014.

Then-Minister for Education Mr Heng Swee Keat (left) and Mrs Tan (right) were also present.

“ W hen I go overseas and participate in events at an international level, it’s clear that the President’s Award for Teachers means a lot. People will come up to me and say, it’s very nice that your country and its President recognises you in this way. Or they will talk about the fact that Singapore as a nation clearly invests in education by identifying role models, and giving lots of opportunities for every teacher at every tier.”

GEETHA CREFFIELD, President’s Award for Teachers recipient in 1998

President Ong Teng Cheong (second from left) and then-Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Rear Admiral Teo Chee Hean (third from left) with award recipients Geetha Creffield (first from left) and Lim Tai Foon (first from right) at the presentation of President’s Award for Teachers at the Istana on 1 Sep 1998.

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