The Singapore History Prize was launched in 2014 to increase interest and access in Singaporean history among non-academic audiences. Operated by NUS Department of History, it also seeks to increase understanding about Singapore in relation to other world cultures. Inspired by an opinion piece Prof Mahbubani wrote in April, appealing for local philanthropists to contribute money for an award for the best book about its history, an anonymous new Singapore citizen offered an endowment fund of S$500,000 with interest earnings going directly towards supporting this award.
The NUS Singapore History Prize’s judging panel includes Prof Mahbubani and historians Prof John Miksic and Professor Tan Tai Yong, with over 4,000 votes cast by voters this round compared to nearly twice that number in 2022 competition. They select their winner from submissions in English, Mandarin and Tamil languages – open to authors from any age, nationality or education background who have written works about Singapore history. Voters also have an option of voting for “consumer choice”, with voters having the chance at winning book-purchase vouchers valued at 50 Singapore dollars! Over 4,000 voters participated this time around compared with approximately double that number participating last time!
Ms Hidayah was applauded by judges for her ability to combine historical facts with personal experiences and observations in Leluhur: Singapore Kampong Glam. This book can be seen both as a primary source due to her extensive use of personal inputs by author herself; Prof Miksic said her book made an important contribution towards understanding Singapore history, sending out a message that anyone could write such works themselves.
Ms Hidayah shared this sentiment, noting that winning the prize was proof that ordinary Singaporeans have stories to share about their past. Alongside receiving her cash prize of S$10,000 from NUS, she will take part in various promotional activities to promote it further.
Other shortlisted books are Seven Hundred Years: A History Of Singapore by Kwa Chong Guan, Tan Tai Yong, Peter Borschberg and Derek Heng; Sembawang by Kamaladevi Aravindan in 2020 and State of Emergency (2017) by Jeremy Tiang. All six shortlisted entries can be purchased at all Singapore Pools outlets across Singapore until October 2nd. For more original AsiaOne articles, click here. Shelly Bryant divides her time between Shanghai and Singapore as a poet, writer and translator. She has translated works by Chinese authors for Epigram, HSRC and Giramondo Books as well as edited poetry anthologies for Alban Lake and Celestial Books. Shelly Bryant has published two collections of poetry: The Waters Edge and The Other Shore, with her translation of You Jin’s In Time Out of Place long-listed for the Man Asian Literary Prize. Additionally, she has contributed her writing skills to international magazines and newspapers worldwide such as the New York Times. You can follow Shelly on Twitter at @shellybryant