SOTY 2025

Retiree running charity given first ST Singaporean of the Year international impact award

Mr Robert Kee has, over the years, cared for abandoned kids by setting up children’s homes, and built houses, toilets and water filtration systems in Cambodia and Nepal through his charity.

Doctor who started clinic for people with intellectual disabilities is ST Singaporean of the Year

Determined to tackle gaps she saw in the healthcare system for people with intellectual disabilities, Dr Chen Shiling quit her job at a public hospital in 2013 and founded Happee Hearts Movement a year later.

Gymnast Amanda Yap, 16, is named first ST Young Singaporean of the Year

Amanda Yap's resilience and determination earned her the inaugural The Straits Times Young Singaporean of the Year award on March 19.

Vote for ST’s Singaporean of the Year 2025 from Jan 19 to 31

The nominees for ST’s Singaporean of the Year are (top row, from left) Ms Lydia Susiyanti Sukarbi, Mr Edmund Wee, Ms Peggy Yee, Mr Robert Sim; (bottom row, from left) Dr Chen Shiling, Mr Darryl Lee, Mr Ganesh Kumar, Mr Steven Goh.

Singaporean of the Year finalist: Leaving a well-paying job to unburden hoarders

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Mr Steven Goh, 47, founder of non-profit organisation, Helping Joy, posing for a photograph before decluttering a resident's home with his team of volunteers in Boon Lay Avenue on Dec 28, 2025.

One of ST's Singaporean of the Year finalists - Steven Goh. He is the founder of non-profit organisation, Helping Joy, which helps the needy on a long term basis. They offer help to those living in cluttered environments, unhealthy conditions, and also those who need help to restore their homes to a healthy state.

(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)

Singaporean of the Year finalist: He built Woodlands Botanical Garden to help others seek comfort

Mr Ganesh Kumar created one of the largest community gardens in Singapore.

Singaporean of the Year finalist: Young community first responder has helped over 70 since he was 16

Mr Darryl Lee hopes to inspire more youth to step up to become community first responders.

S'porean of the Year finalist: Doc's healthcare gives those with intellectual disabilities dignity

In 2014, Dr Chen Shiling founded a non–profit Happee Hearts Movement to advocate for good quality healthcare for adults with ID, and a clinic IDHealth to serve their complex needs.

Singaporean of the Year finalist: Lawyer on mission to advocate for those with invisible disabilities

PY Legal Managing Director, Peggy Yee, said individuals with invisible disabilities are often misunderstood and unable to access justice.

Singaporean of the Year finalist: Meet the internet’s janitor whose fingerprints are all over Wikipedia

Mr Robert Sim is a finalist for the Singaporean of the Year 2025 award, as a result of his extensive history of voluntary contributions to Wikipedia.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.