Biography of One of Singapore’s Founding Fathers, S. Rajaratnam, Wins $30,000 Dr Alan HJ Chan ‘Spirit of Singapore’ Book Prize

• Second edition of ‘Spirit of Singapore’ book prize by SUSS honours literary works that embody the nation’s heart and spirit.
• Merit prizes of $5,000 awarded to ‘Neverness’ by Mr Fairoz Ahmad, and ‘Enigmas: Tay Seow Huah, My Father, Singapore's Pioneer Spy Chief’ by Associate Professor Simon Tay

Singapore, 20 November 2025 – A definitive biography of one of Singapore’s founding fathers and first Foreign Minister, Mr S. Rajaratnam, has won the Singapore University of Social Sciences’ (SUSS) Dr Alan HJ Chan ‘Spirit of Singapore’ Book Prize 2025.

(From left): Ms Judy Chan, Daughter of Dr Alan HJ Chan; Ms Irene Ng (Recipient of the Dr Alan HJ Chan ‘Spirit of Singapore’ Book Prize) and Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Titled ‘S. Rajaratnam, The Authorised Biography, Volume Two: The Lion’s Roar’ and published by ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, the book offers a compelling and deeply researched account of Mr Rajaratnam’s life, ideas and impact. It traces his pivotal role in forging Singapore’s foreign policy, co-founding ASEAN, drafting the National Pledge, and laying the foundation for the nation’s unique tripartite labour model. The author, Ms Irene Ng, formerly an award-winning senior political correspondent and Member of Parliament, received the top prize of $30,000 for her work.

(From left): Ms Judy Chan, Daughter of Dr Alan HJ Chan; Mr Fairoz Ahmad (Recipient of the Dr. Alan HJ Chan ‘Spirit of Singapore’ Merit Book Prize) and Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The merit prizes of $5,000 were awarded to two authors this year. Mr Fairoz Ahmad’s ‘Neverness’, published by Ethos Books, is a poignant coming-of-age novel set in 1979 in the Malay village of Engku Aman. Centred on the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl, the story captures the hopes and anxieties of a community caught between tradition and change during a transformative period in Singapore’s history. Associate Professor Simon Tay’s ‘ENIGMAS: Tay Seow Huah, My Father, Singapore's Pioneer Spy Chief’, published by Landmark Books, offers an intimate portrait of Singapore’s first intelligence chief and the turbulent early years of the nation’s security and diplomacy. The memoir blends history and personal reflection to shed new light on Singapore’s formative years and the man behind its fledgling intelligence service.

(From left): Ms Judy Chan, Daughter of Dr Alan HJ Chan; Dr Joanne Tay, on behalf of her brother, Associate Professor Simon Tay (Recipient of the Dr. Alan HJ Chan ‘Spirit of Singapore’ Merit Book Prize) and Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The winners were announced today at the Dr Alan HJ Chan ‘Spirit of Singapore’ Book Prize Awards 2025 Luncheon, with Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large, Professor Tommy Koh, gracing the event as Guest-of-Honour. Held at The Fullerton Hotel, the event was attended by over 120 guests, including shortlisted authors, publishers, members of the judging panel and representatives from Singapore literary community.

Described by the judges as inspiring, uplifting and captivating, the winning book – S. Rajaratnam, The Authorised Biography, Volume Two: The Lion’s Roar – explores not only S. Rajaratnam’s philosophy but also the power of the human spirit through the upheaval of decolonisation to the eventual independence of Singapore as one nation and one people. The book was recognised as a powerful reflection of the values that define Singapore.

Chief Judge Mrs Triena Ong, a veteran book editor, shared that the judging panel was impressed by the formidable undertaking of rigorous research. This was transformed into compelling reading by Irene Ng, a masterful storyteller. She remarked, “In spite of its huge size, The Lion’s Roar reads breezily and offers insights into key moments of Singapore’s history that are likely not to be found elsewhere.” The judging panellists were unanimous in their agreement that the book was of the highest quality and truly expressed the spirit of Singapore, the main criterion for the Prize.

Capturing the Heart and Spirit of Singapore

The Dr Alan HJ Chan ‘Spirit of Singapore’ Book Prize was established through a generous S$1 million donation from the late Confucian scholar and philanthropist, Dr Alan HJ Chan. First awarded in 2023, it aims to recognise the best work of fiction or non-fiction that embodies the spirit of Singapore and inspires compassion, empathy, voluntarism and activism, thereby contributing to the development of Singapore society and identity. 

The  inaugural Book Prize in 2023 was won by Mr Woon Tai Ho for The Soul of Ink: Lim Tze Peng at 100, while Mr Khir Johari was awarded the Merit Prize for The Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels Through the Archipelago.

The 2025 shortlist included the following titles, in addition to the winners:

• Burn After Dawn by Chim Sher Ting
• He Who is Made Lord: Empire, Class and Race in Postwar Singapore by Muhammad Suhail bin Mohamed Yazid

The Dr Alan HJ Chan ‘Spirit of Singapore’ Book Prize reflects SUSS’ broader commitment to nurturing dialogues that strengthen Singapore’s social fabric.

Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, President Emeritus of SUSS and Chairman of the Judging Panel, said “We are delighted to see how the Dr Alan HJ Chan ‘Spirit of Singapore’ Book Prize has put a spotlight on literary works that surface perspectives on our shared experiences and reflect the values that have shaped – and continue to shape – Singapore. Each year’s entries bring fresh perspectives and we expect the interest in such works will grow, both in authorship and readership.”

This prize is more than a celebration of literary excellence. It is a call to writers to explore the evolving Singapore story with honesty, imagination and heart. I hope it will continue to spark meaningful conversations and inspire future generations to contribute to our national narrative with honesty, imagination and heart.”

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For media enquiries, please contact:

Ms Melissa Ho
Public Relations Executive
Singapore University of Social Sciences
E: [email protected]