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.
EnglishWinner: Sonny Liew - The Art of Charlie Chan Hock ChyeJeremy Tiang - It Never Rains on National DayLeonora Liow - Moth: StoriesAudrey Chin - Nine CutsMohamed Latiff Mohamed, trans. Alfian Sa'at - The WidowerChineseCommendation: 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》MalayWinner: Peter Augustine Goh - Air Mata di ArafahPeter Augustine Goh - Bayang-Bayang Yang HilangSuratman Markasan - Dari Perang Datang Sampai Kamoe San Masuk MelayuLeyla Shuri - Terbelah Bintang SubaruTamilWinner: Sithuraj Ponraj - MaariligalKrishnamurthi Mathangi - MelbaculasoSuriya Rethnna - ParamapadhamEnglishCo-winner: Cyril Wong - The Lover’s InventoryCo-winner: Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingde - I Didn’t Know Mani Was a ConceptualistEric Tinsay Valles - After the Fall: Dirges Among RuinsTse Hao Guang - Deeds of LightGwee Li Sui - One Thousand and One NightsCheryl Julia Lee - We Were Always Eating Expired ThingsChineseMerit: 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》MalayWinner: Hamed Ismail, Hartinah Ahmad, and Samsudin Said - Tafsiran Tiga AlamNoor Aisya bte Buang - Kastil AisyaLeo Suryadinatan - Kota SingaTamilMerit: Varadharajan AK - 4 Flowered Garland for SingaporeMerit: Sithuraj Ponraj - Kaatraai KadanthaaiNaa Aandeappan - Adolescent LoveMalarvizhi Elangovan - Alai Pidunkiya SorkalSaba Muthunatarajan - The Face of the SoulSegar s/o Muniandy - Kaivilakku KadavulEnglishCo-winner: Danielle Lim - The Sound of Sch: A Mental Breakdown, A Life JourneyCo-winner: Peh Shing Huei - When the Party EndsYou Jin, trans. Shelly Bryant - In Time, Out of PlaceLoke Hoe Yeong - Let the People Have HimNing Cai - Who is Magic Babe Ning?ChineseWinner: 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》MalayMerit: Ahmad Azmi bin Haji Mohamed Ishak - Rentak RebanaCommendation: Hafiza Talib - Sekolahku Tinggal KenanganTamilCommendation: Kotti Thirumuruganandam - CK Makadoom Saiboo and Singai NesCommendation: Varadharajan AK - Kamban Kaattum KanaikalCommendation: Mohamed Kassim Shanavas - Nanavu Desam SG50Commendation: SP Panneer Selvam - Singapore Tamil MunnodigalFor 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.
EnglishWinner: Amanda Lee Koe - Ministry of Moral PanicClaire Tham - The InletO Thiam Chin - Love, or Something Like LoveAudrey Chin - As the Heart Bones BreakChineseWinner: 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)MalayWinner: Mr Yazid bin Hussein - Kumpulan Cerpen (Armageddon)Mr Abdul Manaf bin Abdul Kadir - SuzanMr Anuar bin Othman - Tenggelamnya Kapal (Prince of Wales)Mr Hassan Hasaa'ree Ali - Selamat Malam (Caesar)Mr Yazid bin Hussein - CahayaMr Mohd Pitchay Gani bin Mohd Abdul Aziz - SekingTamilWinner: Mr Mohamed Kassim Shanavas - Moontraavatu KaiMs Jayanthi Sankar - Muga Puthagamum Sila AgappakkangalumMs Suriya Rethnna - NaanMs Noorjehan binte Ahmadsha - VergalMr Packinisamy Panneerselvam - MaayaMrs Krishnamurthi Mathangi - Oru Kodi DollargalEnglishCo-winner: Joshua Ip - Sonnets from the SinglishCo-winner: Yong Shu Hoong - The Viewing PartyGrace Chia - CordeliaTheophilus Kwek - The Circle LineTania De Rozario - Tender DeliriumKoh Jee Leong - The Pillow BookMalayWinner: Mr Johar Buang - Pasar DiriMr Peter Augustine Goh - Genta CintaMr Ahmad Md Tahir - Aisberg KesimpulanMr Hamed bin Ismail - Suara DalamMr Yazid bin Hussein - nota (buat wangsa dan buanaku)TamilCommendation: Mrs Krishnamurthi Mathangi – Malaigalin ParathalMr Samuel Nepolian Devakumar – Kaanaamal Pona KavithaikalMr Chinnadurai Arumugam – ThagamMr Pichinikkadu Elango – Thoorikai SirpangalMr Swaminathan Amirthalingam – Urakkach CholvaenEnglishCo-winner: Lim Siong Guan - The Leader, The Teacher & YouCo-winner: Josephine Chia - Kampong Spirit Gotong Royong: Life In Potong Pasir 1955 to 1965M. Ravi - Kampong BoyHidayah Amin - The Mango TreeFanny Lai - A Visual Celebration of Giant PandasChineseMerit: 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》MalayMerit: Mohamed Latiff Mohamed - Alam Kepenyairan Singapura: Pengamatam dan PenciptaanTamilWinner: 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 CategoryWinner: Eddie Tay – The Mental Life of CitiesLeonard Ng – This Mortal WorldDave Chua – The Beating & Other StoriesTeng Qian Xi – They hear salt crystallisingChinese CategoryWinner: 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 CategoryMerit: Ahmad Ja’affar Bin Munasip – Jago Yang Terlupa DilupakanCommendation: Peter Augustine Goh Mey Teck – Kerana Setitik MaduCommendation: Rohman Munasip – Secangkir CeriteraCommendation: Yazid Hussein – Dongeng Utopia : Kisah Cek YahTamil CategoryWinner: Ramanathan Vairavan – Kavithai KuzhanthaikalMasilamani Anbalagan – En Vaanam Naan MegamYousuf Rowther Rajid Ahmed – Vizhikkullethaan Vellayum KaruppumMarimuthu Arumugam Elango – Antha Naan Illai NaanEnglish CategoryWinner: Simon Tay – City of Small BlessingsToh Hsien Min – Means To An EndWena Poon – The Proper Care Of FoxesChinese CategoryCo-Winner: Gabriel Wu (吴耀宗) – 半存在 (A Half-Existence)Co-Winner: Chia Joo Ming (谢裕民) – M40Wang 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 CategoryWinner: Johar Buang – Sampai di Singgahsana CintaAbdul Manaf Abdul Kadir (Manaf Hamzah) – Dalam Kehangatan Dakapan SenjaAzni Ismail (Jaka Budi) – Di Perhentian Ini… Hijrahkanlah DiriNoor Hasnah Adam – KelaraiYazid Bin Hussein – Satu Macam PenyakitTamil CategoryWinner: Murugathasan – SangamamJayanthi Sankar – MigrationMarimuthu Arumugam Elango (Pichinikkadu Elango) – Naanum NaanumMasilamani Anbalagan – AyapulamEnglish categoryWinner: Ng Yi-Sheng – last boyAaron Lee Soon Yong – Five Right AnglesWena Poon – Lions in Winter: StoriesElmo Jayawardena – Rainbows in BrailleSuchen Christine Lim – The Lies that Build a MarriageChinese categoryCo-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 categoryWinner: Mohamed Latiff Mohamed – Bila Rama-rama Patah SayapnyaMuhammad Salihin bin Sulaiman Jeem – Anugerah Bulan Buat BondaSuratman Markasan – Langau Menyerang Masjid Dan Cerita-CeritanyaPeter Augustine Goh – Cetusan Kalbu Seorang PenyairJohar Buang – Perahu Melayu Di Lautan KhulzumManaf Hamzah – Sekeras Waja, Selembut SuteraTamil categoryWinner: K. Kanagalatha – Naan Kolai Seyum Penkal (The Women I Murder)Jayanthi Sankar – Pin Seat (Back Seat)J.M. Sali – Aayul ThandanaiPalanisamy Subramanian – Ouyir Ourugum SabthamEnglish categoryCo-winner: Cyril Wong – Unmarked TreasureCo-winner: Yong Shu Hoong – FrottageAaron Sahhril Yusoff Maniam – Morning at Memory’s BorderChinese categoryWinner: 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 categoryWinner: Mohamed Latiff Mohamed – Nostalgia Yang Hilang (The End Of Nostalgia)Anuar Othman – Kisah Di Bukit CerminSuratman Markasan – Puisi Luka dan Puisi DukaPeter Augustine Goh – Warna sebuah PenghijrahanJohar Bin Buang – Cahaya di Negeri iniTamil categoryWinner: Mohamed Iqbal – Vanavargal Mannil Irukkirarkal (Angels Are Here On Earth)K. Kanagalatha – Paampuk Kaattil oru TaazaiKavignareru Amallathasan – PullanguzhalMurugathasan – VadamalarEnglish categoryWinner: Tan Hwee Hwee – Mammon IncFelix Cheong – Broken by the RainSuchen Christine Lim – A Bit of EarthAlfian bin Sa’at – A History of AmnesiaClaire Tham – The Gunpowder Trail & Other StoriesChinese categoryWinner: 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 categoryWinner: Mohamed Latiff Mohamed – Bagiku Sepilah SudahAbdul Ghani Hamid – Ombak Terbang TinggiA Wahab HJ Hamzah – Tuhan Masih SayangIsa Kamari – KiswahMasuri SN – Suasana SenjaRohani Din – Anugerah Buat SyamsiahTamil categoryWinner: Ma Elankannan (M Balakrishnan) – Thondil MeenS Uthuman Ghani – Agrinai UyarthinaiK T M Iqbal – Kaakitha VaasamKrishnasamy Iyer Kanagalatha – Thee VelliMurugathasan – ThaembavaiSubraa (Palanisamy Subramanian) – Uyirril Kalantha UrraveRex Shelley, A River of RosesMeritRosemary Lim - Soul Search & Other Stories (published as The Seed from the Tree)Colin Cheong - The Man in the CupboardCommendationAlfian bin Sa'at - Corridor and Other StoriesDaren Shiau - HeartlandMeritPaul Tan - Driving into RainWinnerColin Cheong - TangerineCommendationDave Chua Hak Lien - Gone CasePat Wong - Going Home & Other StoriesWinnerRoger Vaughan Jenkins - From the Belly of the CarpMeritBoey Kim Cheng - Days of No NameCommendationColin Cheong - Void Deck and Other Empty PlacesMeritTan Mei Ching - Crossing DistanceStella Kon - EstonCommendationDavid Leo - Wives, Lovers and Other WomenDenyse Tessensohn - FeelAndrew Koh - Glass CathedralMeritDesmond Sim - Places Where I've BeenCommendationJeffery T.H. Lee - The Sea is Never FullPaul Tan - Curious RoadMeritHaresh Sharma - Still BuildingCommendationSim Teow Li - CuriosWinnerSuchen Christine Lim - Fistful of ColoursCommendationTan Mei Ching - Beyond the Village Gate