Darjah Utama Nila Utama

The Darjah Utama Nila Utama (English: Order of Nila Utama) is Singapore's third most prestigious national honour instituted in 1975.[1] It is an Order conferred by the President of Singapore and was originally intended to be the highest award to be conferred to a foreign dignitary. It was later awarded to mostly citizens of Singapore.[2]

Darjah Utama Nila Utama
(Order of Nila Utama)
TypeOrder of Honour
Established1975; 49 years ago (1975)
Country Singapore
Awarded forService
StatusActive
Grades
  • Order of Nila Utama (With High Distinction)
  • Order of Nila Utama (With Distinction)
  • Order of Nila Utama
Post-nominalsDUNU
Precedence
Next (higher)Darjah Utama Temasek
Next (lower)Sijil Kemuliaan

Ribbon after 1996

Ribbon prior to 1996

As of 1 August 2019, the Order has three different grades:[3]

  • the Order of Nila Utama (With High Distinction),
  • the Order of Nila Utama (With Distinction), and
  • the Order of Nila Utama.

Recipients of the honour are entitled to use the post-nominal letters DUNU.[citation needed]

History edit

Prior to August 2019, the 3 grades of the Order of Nila Utama were known as:[3]

  • First Class of the Order of Nila Utama
  • Second Class of the Order of Nila Utama
  • Third Class of the Order of Nila Utama

Recipients edit

Year Grade (if any) Recipient Affiliation / Citation at time of award Ref.
1990 First Class Toh Chin Chye Former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore [2][4]
First Class Michael Fam Chairman, Mass Rapid Transit Corporation [2]
Second Class Othman Wok Former politician
2006 First Class Lim Siong Guan Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance [5]
First Class Philip Yeo Chairman, Agency for Science, Technology and Research
2008 First Class Tommy Koh Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs [6]
Second Class Andrew Chew Guan Khuan Chairman, Public Service Commission [5]
2012 First Class J. Y. Pillay Chairman, Council of Presidential Advisers [7]
2015 First Class Stephen Lee Ching Yen Immediate Past President, Singapore National Employers Federation [5]
2017 First Class Eddie Teo Chan Seng Chairman, Public Service Commission [8]
2019 With High Distinction Lim Chee Onn Member, Council of Presidential Advisers [5]
2021 With Distinction Peter Seah Lim Huat Chairman, DBS Bank [9]

References edit

  1. ^ "Darjah Utama Nila Utama (The Order of Nila Utama) Rules 1996 - Singapore Statutes Online". sso.agc.gov.sg. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Chern, Alphonsus (13 August 2015). "Singapore badges of honour". The Straits Times. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Darjah Utama Nila Utama (The Order of Nila Utama) (Amendment) Rules 2019 - Singapore Statutes Online". sso.agc.gov.sg. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  4. ^ Ang, Benson (February 2012). "Dr Toh Chin Chye:1921-2012 VIP With Simple Taste". The New Paper. Singapore. pp. 4, 6.
  5. ^ a b c d Singapore, Prime Minister's Office (17 November 2018). "PMO | Recipients". Prime Minister's Office Singapore. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  6. ^ 2008 National Day Awards to recognise special contributions for Pedra Branca case 2008
  7. ^ "J Y Pillay awarded highest public service honour". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 10 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  8. ^ Seow, Joanna (5 November 2017). "Nearly 500 receive top awards from President Halimah for their service to Singapore". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  9. ^ Ho, Grace (9 August 2021). "Top honours for DBS chairman Peter Seah Lim Huat in this year's National Day awards". The Straits Times. Retrieved 4 April 2022.

External links edit