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THEY spent months preparing Singapore's case for Pedra Branca, and successfully argued the nation's claim at The Hague last November.
For their efforts, the team of legal experts, diplomats and civil servants received pride of place in this year's National Day honours list.
A total of 26 individuals and five agencies received awards for their roles in the case, which ended with a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in May awarding Pedra Branca to Singapore and the Middle Rocks to Malaysia, bringing closure to a 28-year territorial dispute.
The awards are given annually to those who have made outstanding contributions to the country.
This year, 3,539 individuals received awards. About 70 per cent are public servants who will get Long Service Medals for at least 25 years of service.
Heading this year's awards list is Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong, 70, who receives the Order of Temasek (Second Class).
The award is rare. Only two previous recipients of the Order of Temasek (First Class) are still alive: former Chief Justice Yong Pung How and Old Guard Cabinet minister Goh Keng Swee. Former Cabinet minister S. Dhanabalan received the Order of Temasek (Second Class) last year.
CJ Chan receives the award in recognition of his overall contributions as Attorney-General (A-G) from 1992 to 2006, as Singapore's Chief Justice since then, and for his outstanding contributions towards the Pedra Branca case, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
CJ Chan said he was 'greatly honoured and extremely happy' to get the award.
He said the award is a recognition of the work of the Attorney-General's Chambers during his tenure there, and 'especially the contributions of the team of legal officers who worked tirelessly' to prepare Singapore's case at the ICJ.
'The award is also a recognition of the performance of the judges, judicial officers and staff of the Supreme Court and the Subordinate Courts,' he added.
'All credit must go to them for working as a team to maintain the high quality of justice and administration of Singapore's judicial system. I was fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time.'
Ambassador-at-large Tommy Koh receives the Order of Nila Utama (First Class) for his role in the Pedra Branca case; and Justice Chao Hick Tin, a Judge of Appeal and a former A-G, gets the Distinguished Service Order.
Receiving the Meritorious Service Medal is Mr Sivakant Tiwari, special consultant at the Attorney-General's Chambers.
National Archives of Singapore, Maritime and Port Authority and Defence Ministry staff are also recognised for their contributions.
Said National Archives director Pitt Kuan Wah, who received the Public Administration Medal (Silver)(Bar): 'We are very happy to be able to contribute to protect the sovereignty of our nation.
'As the custodian and keeper of records for the Government, we have never doubted the usefulness and importance of the nation's corporate memories being carefully preserved for future use.'
National Archives deputy director Lim Guan Hock and assistant directors Elaine Goh and Ng Yoke Lim also received medals. The Archives itself received the President's Certificate of Commendation.
Mr Pitt also credited a team of four part-time staff - retired civil servants - for helping with the work, which included sifting through records dating back to the 19th century. Over 2,000 documents were sent to the Attorney-General's Chambers.
Another top recipient this year is former top civil servant Andrew Chew, who retired as Public Service Commission chairman last week. He receives the Order of Nila Utama (Second Class).
Mr Koh Boon Hwee, chairman of Nanyang Technological University's board of trustees and DBS chairman, gets a Distinguished Service Order.
Meritorious Service Medals went to diplomat and former Asean secretary-general Ong Keng Yong, Permanent Secretary (Finance) Teo Ming Kian, Keppel Offshore and Marine chief Choo Chiau Beng, and Singapore International School board chairman Robert Ng Chee Siong.
Getting the Public Service Medal is national swimmer Theresa Goh, 21, one of six athletes heading for the Beijing Paralympics next month.
Said Ms Goh, who was born with a spinal defect and holds two world records: 'I'm surprised because most previous winners were not that young. It is an encouragement, and I'm very excited.'
