Champions of greening Singapore and haze action receive top environmental award

Former parks commissioner is first posthumous recipient of President's Award

- Shabana Begum Correspondent

A former parks commissioner and an environmental lawyer received the country’s highest environmental accolade on Oct 2.

The late Dr Leong Chee Chiew had led multiple efforts in turning Singapore into a city in nature, and Associate Professor Simon Tay advocated for action against transboundary haze.

Dr Leong, who died of cancer in 2024 at the age of 72, is the first posthumous recipient of the biennial President’s Award for the Environment.

In the educational institution and organisation categories, the top awards went to Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Man-dai Wildlife Group (MWG) and CapitaLand Group.

President Tharman Shanmuga-ratnam handed out the awards during a ceremony at Gardens by the Bay on Oct 2.

The family of Dr Leong said in a statement: "The most fulfilling thing about his career was the ability for him to nurture those under his care. He would personally get to know his staff and mentor them when possible, basically being a father to them.

"He was the happiest when working quietly on the ground, never seeking attention or recognition for his work. It is, therefore, in credibly fitting to his character that he cannot receive this award in person."

Dr Leong - a former commissioner of parks and recreation - helped the Singapore Botanic Gardens secure Unesco World Heritage status in 2015 and led the OneMillionTrees movement, which was launched in 2020.