Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon and former chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA) Eddie Teo have been awarded the Order of Temasek (With Distinction), Singapore’s highest civilian honour, at the 2026 National Day Awards. The recognition reflects their extensive contributions to the nation’s public service and governance.
Menon, 62, who has served as Chief Justice since November 2012, will step down from his role on February 26, 2027, completing nearly 14 years at the helm of Singapore’s judiciary. His tenure saw a comprehensive transformation of the judicial system, including the digitalisation of court processes, the establishment of the Appellate Division of the High Court, and the formation of the Singapore International Commercial Court. Menon also introduced a therapeutic justice approach in the Family Justice and Youth Courts and founded the Singapore Judicial College to enhance judicial education. He highlighted the government’s enduring commitment to the rule of law as a foundation for Singapore’s progress, and acknowledged the collective efforts of the judiciary and legal professionals in strengthening public confidence in the justice system.
Eddie Teo, 79, who served as CPA chairman until June 2026, received the honour in recognition of his nearly five decades of public service in various senior roles. After beginning his career in 1970 with the Ministry of Defence’s Security and Intelligence Division, Teo rose to become director of the agency by 1979. He subsequently held the positions of permanent secretary for defence and in the Prime Minister’s Office. From 2008 to 2018, he chaired the Public Service Commission, broadening its membership to include professionals from diverse sectors. As CPA chairman, Teo played a key advisory role during the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing the approval of a historic $40 billion draw from Singapore’s past reserves to support the economy without incurring significant public debt. He described receiving the award as a “great privilege” and expressed optimism about the future of public service built on principles of integrity, meritocracy, incorruptibility, and excellence.
This year, 7,491 individuals received National Day honours across various categories. The Distinguished Service Order, the next highest accolade, was awarded to five individuals for their notable achievements in public transport, aviation, the arts, community cohesion, and labour relations.
Among them, Land Transport Authority (LTA) chairman Alan Chan, 73, was recognized for his leadership in improving Singapore’s land transport system since 2016, including significant projects like the Thomson-East Coast Line and the Singapore Rail Test Centre, as well as efforts to promote electric vehicle adoption. Former Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore chairman Edmund Cheng, 73, received the award for steering the aviation sector’s recovery from the pandemic and his advocacy for ex-offenders and the arts.
Master potter Iskandar Jalil, 86, was honoured for advancing contemporary ceramics in Singapore over six decades, noted for his signature “Iskandar blue” glaze and major public installations. Religious Rehabilitation Group co-founder Usmat Mohamad Hasbi Hassan, 66, was recognized for his leadership in countering extremist ideologies and promoting social harmony, particularly during the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict. Former Stetsa Development Corporation chairman Boh Tan, 74, received the award for his work in tourism, labour relations, and public transport, including crisis management during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2024 oil spill.
The awards highlight a continued commitment to recognising leadership and service across sectors vital to Singapore’s development and social cohesion.