A prize is an award given in recognition of an achievement or performance. The singapore prize is an annual award given in recognition of exemplary contributions by individuals or groups who have made significant contributions towards Singapore’s national development, enhancing its social fabric and/or improving the quality of life of others. It is administered by the President of Singapore and the Ministry of Defence.

The award ceremony is held in November every year. Winners are selected by a panel of judges that includes members from the public.

Founded in 1989, the prize recognises individuals or organisations who have made significant contributions to Singapore’s security capabilities. It is a joint initiative of the President and the Ministry of Defence, which is a prestigious accolade in recognition of the nation’s commitment to security and the defence community.

In addition to the cash prize, the winner also receives a citation, a trophy, and a plaque. This is a public recognition of their achievements, as well as an incentive to continue in the spirit of selfless service.

The prize is open to residents of Singapore, who are 18 years old and above. The nomination form can be found here. The closing date for submissions is 1 November 2021.

Singapore prize winners are often people who are committed to helping the society, putting their personal interest aside to do what is best for the community. For example, some of the past winners have worked to enhance accessibility for the disabled or have provided assistance to those in need. They have also contributed to the preservation and growth of Singapore’s arts and culture, and worked tirelessly to develop a better and more sustainable environment for the future.

Khir Johari, renowned food historian and member of the University of Greifswald’s Regional Study Centre IFZO, was awarded this triennial prize in October this year for his book The Food of the Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels Through the Archipelago. His work has been lauded internationally, having won the Gourmand Awards, widely considered to be the Oscars of the food world, and he has published more than a dozen books.

The citation for the 2021 Singapore History Prize winner, Leluhur: Singapore Kampong Gelam, praised the book for its synthesis and primary sources, and the fact that it was the result of Ms Hidayah’s personal inputs. It hoped the book would inspire the general public to realise that you don’t need to be a historian to write a history book or tell a story about the past.

Kishore Mahbubani, professor at the NUS Asia Research Institute, was a member of the jury for this year’s Singapore History Prize. Other members of the jury included novelist Meira Chand; academics Tan Tai Yong and Peter Coclanis; economist Lam San Ling and archaeologist John Miksic, both from NUS; and historian Derek Heng from the National Museum of Singapore. The prize may be extended in the future to include fictional works on different mediums, Mr Mahbubani said.