The chairperson of the Public Service Commission Eddie Teo was awarded the highest state honour in this year's National Day Awards. 71-year-old Teo has been conferred the Order of Nila Utama (First Class), which was last conferred in 2015 to Singapore National Employers Federation president Stephen Lee.
A report from Today Online said the PSC Chair dedicated the honour to the late former Singapore President S R Nathan, who served as his mentor in the early days of his 47-year career. "The one person who was my greatest mentor was the late Mr. S R Nathan. He taught me the values, discipline and instincts required for public service," Teo was quoted saying.
He started his public service career with the Security and Intelligence Division in 1970, spanning 35 years until his retirement in 2005. During his time with the division, Nathan served as the SID Director.
Teo has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order 11 years ago when he was the city-state's High Commissioner to Australia. In 2008, he was officially appointed to head the PSC.
In a separate report from the Straits Times, Teo was said to champion recruiting students from different backgrounds as scholarship holders as head of the PSC.
"I would like to thank my fellow PSC members, who are all busy people with important jobs or big organisations to run, who nevertheless are willing to volunteer their time and energy to contribute to the public good," he said.
A total of 4,323 people received recognition at the National Day Awards for their significant contributions to the nation.
Receiving the Distinguished Service Order are Chin Siat Yoon, former ambassador to Japan, and Ho Kwon Ping, Singapore Management University Chairperson.
