SINGAPORE: Ambassador Chan Heng Chee and prominent banker Wee Cho Yaw are the recipients of this year's highest National Day Awards - the Distinguished Service Order.
Professor Chan is Singapore's Ambassador to the United States, while Mr Wee is chairman of United Overseas Bank (UOB).
The annual awards recognise those who have made outstanding contributions in public service or community work in Singapore. And this year, 3,010 individuals are being honoured.
Professor Chan has been Singapore's Ambassador to the US for the past 15 years.
She received the Public Administration Gold Medal in 1999, the Meritorious Service Medal in 2005, and now the Distinguished Service Order.
Speaking to MediaCorp in a phone interview, Professor Chan said: "I was pleasantly surprised, I hadn't been thinking of awards. I didn't think I was eligible for anything anymore!"
The Distinguished Service Order also goes to UOB chairman Wee Cho Yaw for his community work with the Nanyang Technological University (2004 to present), and the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (1986 to 2010).
Singapore Children's Society chairman Koh Choon Hui is one of five recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal - the second highest National Day honour this year.
Mr Koh said: "I started voluntary work in 1963, and joined the Children's Society in 1975. Singapore is a small community, so as you get involved in voluntary work and you enjoy what you're doing, it becomes part of your blood, it's in your blood."
Singapore's former Mufti was also recognised for his contribution to inter-religious dialogue.
Shaikh Syed Isa Semait was Mufti for almost four decades before he retired last year.
"It's very rare in other countries that religious groups can get together, sit, discuss and have a meal or accept to live in a harmonious way of life. So we are doing it for years and we keep on improving it," he said.
The other recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal are Changi Airport Group chairman Liew Mun Leong, President Emeritus of the Nanyang Technological University, Dr Su Guaning, and NTUC president John de Payva.
- CNA/de
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