Vote for ST’s Singaporean of

A healthcare advocate for adults with intellectual disabilities, a man who pens letters to prison inmates, and the founder of a charity that helps hoarders are among the nine nominees for The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year 2025 award.

- Syarafana Shafeeq

Public voting begins on Jan 19 and will close on Jan 31 at 7pm. Votes can be cast at str.sg/so-ty2025vote

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in March.

The annual award, now in its 11th year, recognises a Singaporean person or group for making an impact on society. It also pays tribute to Singaporeans who have put the country on the world map or have persevered to overcome great adversity.

A panel of judges comprising ST editors, UBS representatives and individuals who have made their mark in various fields will make the final decision in February, while also taking into account the results of the public vote.

For the 2025 iteration, two other awards were added to recognise a broader group of Singaporeans.

The International Impact Award will honour a Singaporean or local organisation that has made a positive impact outside of Singapore, while the Young Singaporean of the Year award will recognise a Singaporean under the age of 18.

The awards are organised by The Straits Times, and presented by UBS Singapore. The official airline partner is Singapore Airlines, and the global hotel partner is Millennium Hotels and Resorts.

These are the nine nominees for ST’s Singaporean of the Year:

LYDIA SUSIYANTI SUKARBI

Three times a week, children gather at a void deck in Ang Mo Kio Street 23 to fill their tummies before school. The breakfast spread is prepared by 36-year-old Lydia Susiyanti Sukarbi, who started providing free morning meals to underprivileged children in her neighbourhood in February 2025.

The former school canteen stall vendor started the initiative after seeing how some students would go hungry during recess so that their younger siblings would have money for food.