Ex-CAG chairman, late artist among recipients of National Day Awards

Water engineer Tan Gee Paw accorded highest accolade, the Order of Nila Utama

- Samuel Devaraj

The highest accolade at the 2025 National Day Awards has been accorded to veteran public servant Tan Gee Paw, 82, the former chairman of Changi Airport Group (CAG).

Mr Tan, who chaired national water agency PUB for 16 years until he retired in 2017, will receive the Order of Nila Utama.

The next highest award, the Distinguished Service Order, will be conferred on Temasek Defence Professor Lui Pao Chuen of the Temasek Defence Systems Institute, and the late artist and Cultural Medallion winner Lim Tze Peng.

They are among 7,210 individuals receiving National Day Awards for their contributions to Singapore.

Mr Tan was recognised for his extensive and significant contributions in advancing Singapore's critical development on multiple fronts, having played a significant role in augmenting the country's air hub competitiveness, water security and rail reliability, said his citation.

The veteran water engineer was, in 2015, tapped by then Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan to be his adviser on rail transformation, following that year's general election.

Mr Tan joined the CAG board in May 2017, and was the group's chairman from October 2020 to March 2025.

Speaking to the media, Mr Tan said his role as chairman was to ensure that Singapore emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic with its air hub status intact.