SINGAPORE – Former president Halimah Yacob has been conferred the nation’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Temasek (With High Distinction).

She will receive the award from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Sunday at the National Awards Investiture to be held at the Institute of Technical Education College Central.

Madam Halimah, 69, will head the list of National Award recipients for 2023, said the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday.

Madam Halimah, who was Singapore’s first female president, served as head of state between 2017 and 2023, with her last day on Sept 13.

She did not seek re-election at the Presidential Election 2023, which was won by former senior minister Tharman.

Madam Halimah said she was deeply honoured to receive the award.

She told The Straits Times in an e-mail that she was grateful to the people of Singapore for the privilege of serving them all these years.

“If my example of a female from a minority community who came from a very humble background but managed to overcome the odds can serve to encourage others, I am thankful for the opportunity to do so,” Madam Halimah said.

Since stepping down from the role of president, she has been appointed chancellor of the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

During her term as Singapore’s eighth president, Madam Halimah was vocal about gender equality and spoke her mind on various social issues, such as the need to protect older workers. 

She has also long been a strong proponent of building interfaith relationships and encouraging multicultural dialogue.

Under her watch, the President’s Challenge had focused on empowering people with disabilities, building a digitally inclusive society and supporting caregivers, among other causes.

The last person to be given this award was former senior minister S. Jayakumar.

Three former presidents of Singapore – Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Mr S R Nathan and Mr Wee Kim Wee – have also received the award, which was previously known as the Order of Temasek (First Class).