The Singapore Literature Prize (abbreviation: SLP) is a biennial award in Singapore to recognise outstanding published works by Singaporean authors in any of the four official languages: Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil. The competition is organised by the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) with the support of the National Arts Council and the National Library Board.
The Award was briefly discontinued in 1999 and 2002 due to economic problems.
The 2016 edition received the most submissions ever in its 25-year history: 235 entries, compared to 2014's 182 and 2012's 57, with fiction receiving the most submissions.
English
Winner: Sonny Liew - The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye
Jeremy Tiang - It Never Rains on National Day
Leonora Liow - Moth: Stories
Audrey Chin - Nine Cuts
Mohamed Latiff Mohamed, trans. Alfian Sa'at - The Widower
Chinese
Commendation: 谢裕民 (Chia Joo Ming) - Exile or Pursuit《放逐与追逐》
Commendation: 张挥 (Cheong Weng Yat aka Zhang Hui) - Shuang Kou Ding Yi Cun 《双口鼎一村－那些年那些事》
Merit: 英培安 (Yeng Pway Ngon) - Opera Costume 《戲服》
Malay
Winner: Peter Augustine Goh - Air Mata di Arafah
Peter Augustine Goh - Bayang-Bayang Yang Hilang
Suratman Markasan - Dari Perang Datang Sampai Kamoe San Masuk Melayu
Leyla Shuri - Terbelah Bintang Subaru
Tamil
Winner: Sithuraj Ponraj - Maariligal
Krishnamurthi Mathangi - Melbaculaso
Suriya Rethnna - Paramapadham
English
Co-winner: Cyril Wong - The Lover’s Inventory
Co-winner: Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingde - I Didn’t Know Mani Was a Conceptualist
Eric Tinsay Valles - After the Fall: Dirges Among Ruins
Tse Hao Guang - Deeds of Light
Gwee Li Sui - One Thousand and One Nights
Cheryl Julia Lee - We Were Always Eating Expired Things
Chinese
Merit: 吳耀宗 (Gabriel Wu) - Live Where the Imagination Is 《逐想像而居》
Merit: 陈维彪 (Tang Jui Piow) - The Sea Diary 《航海纪事》
沈璧浩 (Sim Piak How) - A City's Story《都市录》
Malay
Winner: Hamed Ismail, Hartinah Ahmad, and Samsudin Said - Tafsiran Tiga Alam
Noor Aisya bte Buang - Kastil Aisya
Leo Suryadinatan - Kota Singa
Tamil
Merit: Varadharajan AK - 4 Flowered Garland for Singapore
Merit: Sithuraj Ponraj - Kaatraai Kadanthaai
Naa Aandeappan - Adolescent Love
Malarvizhi Elangovan - Alai Pidunkiya Sorkal
Saba Muthunatarajan - The Face of the Soul
Segar s/o Muniandy - Kaivilakku Kadavul
English
Co-winner: Danielle Lim - The Sound of Sch: A Mental Breakdown, A Life Journey
Co-winner: Peh Shing Huei - When the Party Ends
You Jin, trans. Shelly Bryant - In Time, Out of Place
Loke Hoe Yeong - Let the People Have Him
Ning Cai - Who is Magic Babe Ning?
Chinese
Winner: 陈加昌 (Chin Kah Chong) - LKY Whom I Knew 《我所知道的李光耀》
尤今 (You Jin) - Father and I《父亲与我》
李慧敏 (Lee Hui Min) - Growing Up in the Era of Lee Kuan Yew 《成长在李光耀时代》
李国樑 (Lee Kok Leong) - Guangdong Majie 《广东妈姐》
柯思仁 (Quah Sy Ren) - Tea Time in Spring With Poetry 《以诗和春光佐茶》
Malay
Merit: Ahmad Azmi bin Haji Mohamed Ishak - Rentak Rebana
Commendation: Hafiza Talib - Sekolahku Tinggal Kenangan
Tamil
Commendation: Kotti Thirumuruganandam - CK Makadoom Saiboo and Singai Nes
Commendation: Varadharajan AK - Kamban Kaattum Kanaikal
Commendation: Mohamed Kassim Shanavas - Nanavu Desam SG50
Commendation: SP Panneer Selvam - Singapore Tamil Munnodigal
For the first time, the award offered 12 top prizes of up to $10,000 each for the best works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry in Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil. In previous years, fiction competed with poetry for one award in each language.
In July 2014, three judges of the English non-fiction category of the prize resigned in protest against the National Library Board's removal and pulping of controversial children's titles. Mr T. Sasitharan, a prominent arts educator; former journalist Romen Bose; and American author and Writer-in-Residence at Yale-NUS College, Robin Hemley were subsequently replaced. The Prize also received flak for perhaps spreading itself too thin, and for naming the non-fiction prizes after a sponsor, the publisher World Scientific.
A day after the winners were announced at an awards ceremony on 4 November 2014, poet-editor Grace Chia, whose poetry collection Cordelia was shortlisted but did not win in the English Poetry section, delivered a speech in absentia at the Singapore Writers Festival which accused the Prize of sexism. Chia wrote, "The fact that the prize has been given to two co-winners who are both male poets is deeply informing of choice, taste and affirmation. A prize so coveted that it has been apportioned to two male narratives of poetic discourse, instead of one outstanding poet - reeks of an engendered privilege that continues to plague this nation's literary community." Chia also posted her speech on Facebook before subsequently removing it. In response, one of the poetry judges, poet and literary critic Gwee Li Sui, said, "All entries have an equal chance of consideration for winning, and we discussed it based on that point alone, and on the strengths of the collections." The other poetry judges were prominent female poet Leong Liew Geok and poet Boey Kim Cheng.
English
Winner: Amanda Lee Koe - Ministry of Moral Panic
Claire Tham - The Inlet
O Thiam Chin - Love, or Something Like Love
Audrey Chin - As the Heart Bones Break
Chinese
Winner: Mr Lim Hung Chang (Lin Gao) - Weixingxiaoshuo(林高微型小说／林高)
Mr Lai Yong Taw - Ding Xiang (丁香／流军)
Ms Tham Yew Chin (You Jin) - Jin Se Dai Shu(金色袋鼠／尤今)
Mr Lee Xuan Lou - Shuang Cheng Zhi Lian(双城之恋／李选楼)
Malay
Winner: Mr Yazid bin Hussein - Kumpulan Cerpen (Armageddon)
Mr Abdul Manaf bin Abdul Kadir - Suzan
Mr Anuar bin Othman - Tenggelamnya Kapal (Prince of Wales)
Mr Hassan Hasaa'ree Ali - Selamat Malam (Caesar)
Mr Yazid bin Hussein - Cahaya
Mr Mohd Pitchay Gani bin Mohd Abdul Aziz - Seking
Tamil
Winner: Mr Mohamed Kassim Shanavas - Moontraavatu Kai
Ms Jayanthi Sankar - Muga Puthagamum Sila Agappakkangalum
Ms Suriya Rethnna - Naan
Ms Noorjehan binte Ahmadsha - Vergal
Mr Packinisamy Panneerselvam - Maaya
Mrs Krishnamurthi Mathangi - Oru Kodi Dollargal
English
Co-winner: Joshua Ip - Sonnets from the Singlish
Co-winner: Yong Shu Hoong - The Viewing Party
Grace Chia - Cordelia
Theophilus Kwek - The Circle Line
Tania De Rozario - Tender Delirium
Koh Jee Leong - The Pillow Book
Malay
Winner: Mr Johar Buang - Pasar Diri
Mr Peter Augustine Goh - Genta Cinta
Mr Ahmad Md Tahir - Aisberg Kesimpulan
Mr Hamed bin Ismail - Suara Dalam
Mr Yazid bin Hussein - nota (buat wangsa dan buanaku)
Tamil
Commendation: Mrs Krishnamurthi Mathangi – Malaigalin Parathal
Mr Samuel Nepolian Devakumar – Kaanaamal Pona Kavithaikal
Mr Chinnadurai Arumugam – Thagam
Mr Pichinikkadu Elango – Thoorikai Sirpangal
Mr Swaminathan Amirthalingam – Urakkach Cholvaen
English
Co-winner: Lim Siong Guan - The Leader, The Teacher & You
Co-winner: Josephine Chia - Kampong Spirit Gotong Royong: Life In Potong Pasir 1955 to 1965
M. Ravi - Kampong Boy
Hidayah Amin - The Mango Tree
Fanny Lai - A Visual Celebration of Giant Pandas
Chinese
Merit: Dr Ho Nai Kiong - The Biography of My Father 何乃强《父亲平藩的一生》
Merit: Ms Tham Yew Chin (You Jin) - Even The Heart Soars 尤今《心也飞翔》
Dr Ho Nai Kiong - The Death of Kings and Emperors 何乃强《医生读史笔记》
Ms Tham Yew Chin (You Jin) - Release Your Happiness 尤今《释放快乐》
Malay
Merit: Mohamed Latiff Mohamed - Alam Kepenyairan Singapura: Pengamatam dan Penciptaan
Tamil
Winner: Kotti Thirumuruganandam - Singapore Tamil Kavithai Varalaaru (History Of Singapore Tamil Poetry)
Chitra Ramesh - Oru Nakarathin Kathai (Story Of A City)
R Kalamohan - Sattamum Sambavangalum (Law And Incidents)
Mohamed Kassim Shanavas - Ayal Pasi (Foreign Hunger)
English Category
Winner: Eddie Tay – The Mental Life of Cities
Leonard Ng – This Mortal World
Dave Chua – The Beating & Other Stories
Teng Qian Xi – They hear salt crystallising
Chinese Category
Winner: Yeng Pway Ngon (英培安) – 画室 (Art Studio)
Tan Chee Lay (陈志锐) – 《剑桥诗学》
Neo Choon Hong (梁钺) – 《你的名字》
Zou Lu (邹璐) – 《追随河流的方向》
Lee Seng Chan (怀鹰) – 《舞魂》
Malay Category
Merit: Ahmad Ja’affar Bin Munasip – Jago Yang Terlupa Dilupakan
Commendation: Peter Augustine Goh Mey Teck – Kerana Setitik Madu
Commendation: Rohman Munasip – Secangkir Ceritera
Commendation: Yazid Hussein – Dongeng Utopia : Kisah Cek Yah
Tamil Category
Winner: Ramanathan Vairavan – Kavithai Kuzhanthaikal
Masilamani Anbalagan – En Vaanam Naan Megam
Yousuf Rowther Rajid Ahmed – Vizhikkullethaan Vellayum Karuppum
Marimuthu Arumugam Elango – Antha Naan Illai Naan
English Category
Winner: Simon Tay – City of Small Blessings
Toh Hsien Min – Means To An End
Wena Poon – The Proper Care Of Foxes
Chinese Category
Co-Winner: Gabriel Wu (吴耀宗) – 半存在 (A Half-Existence)
Co-Winner: Chia Joo Ming (谢裕民) – M40
Wang Wenxian (王文献) – 《爱城故事》
Wong Meng Voon (黄孟文) –《黄孟文微型小说自选集》
Ng Wai Choy (吴韦材) – 《爱的礼物》
Malay Category
Winner: Johar Buang – Sampai di Singgahsana Cinta
Abdul Manaf Abdul Kadir (Manaf Hamzah) – Dalam Kehangatan Dakapan Senja
Azni Ismail (Jaka Budi) – Di Perhentian Ini… Hijrahkanlah Diri
Noor Hasnah Adam – Kelarai
Yazid Bin Hussein – Satu Macam Penyakit
Tamil Category
Winner: Murugathasan – Sangamam
Jayanthi Sankar – Migration
Marimuthu Arumugam Elango (Pichinikkadu Elango) – Naanum Naanum
Masilamani Anbalagan – Ayapulam
English category
Winner: Ng Yi-Sheng – last boy
Aaron Lee Soon Yong – Five Right Angles
Wena Poon – Lions in Winter: Stories
Elmo Jayawardena – Rainbows in Braille
Suchen Christine Lim – The Lies that Build a Marriage
Chinese category
Co-winner: Chia Hwee Pheng (谢惠平) – 希尼尔小说选 (The Collection of Xi Ni Er Mini-Fiction)
Co-winner: Yeng Pway Ngon (英培安) – 我与我自己的二三事 (Trivialities About Me and Myself)
Chia Joo Ming (谢裕民) – 谢裕民小说选
Liang Wern Fook (梁文福) – 左手的快乐
Teoh Hee La aka Zhang Xi Na(张曦娜) – 张曦娜小说选
Pan Cheng Lui (潘正镭) – 天微明时我是诗人
Malay category
Winner: Mohamed Latiff Mohamed – Bila Rama-rama Patah Sayapnya
Muhammad Salihin bin Sulaiman Jeem – Anugerah Bulan Buat Bonda
Suratman Markasan – Langau Menyerang Masjid Dan Cerita-Ceritanya
Peter Augustine Goh – Cetusan Kalbu Seorang Penyair
Johar Buang – Perahu Melayu Di Lautan Khulzum
Manaf Hamzah – Sekeras Waja, Selembut Sutera
Tamil category
Winner: K. Kanagalatha – Naan Kolai Seyum Penkal (The Women I Murder)
Jayanthi Sankar – Pin Seat (Back Seat)
J.M. Sali – Aayul Thandanai
Palanisamy Subramanian – Ouyir Ourugum Sabtham
English category
Co-winner: Cyril Wong – Unmarked Treasure
Co-winner: Yong Shu Hoong – Frottage
Aaron Sahhril Yusoff Maniam – Morning at Memory’s Border
Chinese category
Winner: Chia Joo Ming (谢裕民) – 重构南洋图像 Chong Gou Nan Yang Yu Xiang (Reconstructing Nanyang)
Denon Lim Denan (林得楠) – 梦见诗
Chia Hwee Pheng (希尼尔) – 希尼尔微型小说
Malay category
Winner: Mohamed Latiff Mohamed – Nostalgia Yang Hilang (The End Of Nostalgia)
Anuar Othman – Kisah Di Bukit Cermin
Suratman Markasan – Puisi Luka dan Puisi Duka
Peter Augustine Goh – Warna sebuah Penghijrahan
Johar Bin Buang – Cahaya di Negeri ini
Tamil category
Winner: Mohamed Iqbal – Vanavargal Mannil Irukkirarkal (Angels Are Here On Earth)
K. Kanagalatha – Paampuk Kaattil oru Taazai
Kavignareru Amallathasan – Pullanguzhal
Murugathasan – Vadamalar
English category
Winner: Tan Hwee Hwee – Mammon Inc
Felix Cheong – Broken by the Rain
Suchen Christine Lim – A Bit of Earth
Alfian bin Sa’at – A History of Amnesia
Claire Tham – The Gunpowder Trail & Other Stories
Chinese category
Winner: Yeng Pway Ngon (英培安) – 骚动
Chia Hwee Pheng (希尼尔) – 轻信莫疑
Guan Ming (关明) – 其实·底下的城市
Malay category
Winner: Mohamed Latiff Mohamed – Bagiku Sepilah Sudah
Abdul Ghani Hamid – Ombak Terbang Tinggi
A Wahab HJ Hamzah – Tuhan Masih Sayang
Isa Kamari – Kiswah
Masuri SN – Suasana Senja
Rohani Din – Anugerah Buat Syamsiah
Tamil category
Winner: Ma Elankannan (M Balakrishnan) – Thondil Meen
S Uthuman Ghani – Agrinai Uyarthinai
K T M Iqbal – Kaakitha Vaasam
Krishnasamy Iyer Kanagalatha – Thee Velli
Murugathasan – Thaembavai
Subraa (Palanisamy Subramanian) – Uyirril Kalantha Urrave
Rex Shelley, A River of Roses
Merit
Rosemary Lim - Soul Search & Other Stories (published as The Seed from the Tree)
Colin Cheong - The Man in the Cupboard
Commendation
Alfian bin Sa'at - Corridor and Other Stories
Daren Shiau - Heartland
Merit
Paul Tan - Driving into Rain
Winner
Colin Cheong - Tangerine
Commendation
Dave Chua Hak Lien - Gone Case
Pat Wong - Going Home & Other Stories
Winner
Roger Vaughan Jenkins - From the Belly of the Carp
Merit
Boey Kim Cheng - Days of No Name
Commendation
Colin Cheong - Void Deck and Other Empty Places
Merit
Tan Mei Ching - Crossing Distance
Stella Kon - Eston
Commendation
David Leo - Wives, Lovers and Other Women
Denyse Tessensohn - Feel
Andrew Koh - Glass Cathedral
Merit
Desmond Sim - Places Where I've Been
Commendation
Jeffery T.H. Lee - The Sea is Never Full
Paul Tan - Curious Road
Merit
Haresh Sharma - Still Building
Commendation
Sim Teow Li - Curios
Winner
Suchen Christine Lim - Fistful of Colours
Commendation
Tan Mei Ching - Beyond the Village Gate
