Some of HTX’s award winners strike their signature pose with HTX Deputy Chief Executive (Operations) Chen Yeang Tat (fifth from right), Assistant Chief Executive (Operational ICT) Dr Lim Kia Yong (centre) and Assistant Chief Executive (Programmes) Colin Tan (fourth from right). (Photo: HTX/Janna Giam)
Thirteen Xponents were celebrated for their contributions to public safety as they accepted awards at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) National Day Awards Investiture 2025, held on 17 November 2025 at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Convention Centre.
The event applauded the achievements of Home Team officers who received the Commendation Medal for commendable performance and conduct, Efficiency Medal for exceptional efficiency or devotion to duty, and the Long Service Medal for at least 25 years of service of the government.
Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Mr Edwin Tong was the guest of honour for the ceremony.
HTX’s award recipients take to the stage with colleagues from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and Guest of Honour Mr Edwin Tong (centre, white shirt), Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State (SMS), MHA, Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (centre, left of Minister Tong), Permanent Secretary (Home Affairs), MHA, Mr Pang Kin Keong (right of Minister Tong) and Deputy Secretary (Corporate), MHA, Ms Jeannie Tan (left of SMS Faishal Ibrahim). (Photo: HTX/Janna Giam)
Xponent Muhammad Suhaimi Bin Othman (right) of HTX’s Digital & Information Forensics Centre of Expertise (CoE) receives an Efficiency Medal from SMS Faishal Ibrahim. (Photo: HTX/Janna Giam)
So does Sahara Melissa Binte Sukari (right) of HTX’s Ops Systems Sustainment Centre. (Photo: HTX/Janna Giam)
Honouring perseverance, dedication and sacrifices
One recipient of the Commendation Medal was Head, Research Dr Kenneth Chung from HTX’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives CoE.
He has devoted exceptional effort over the last three years to developing BioXcap – a first-of-its-kind detector designed to perform 24/7 environmental surveillance and provide near real-time detection of biological threats in the air – overcoming trials and tribulations along the way.
“This award is a tremendous recognition – not just for me, but for the team and its collective effort,” he mused.
“However, our work is not done. We want to continue to push limits, and develop and deliver more innovative tech and right-fitted solutions for the Home Team.”
Kenneth (left) shows off his award with fellow Commendation Medal recipient Yeo Yong Da from the Policing Programme Management Centre (PPMC). (Photo: HTX/Janna Giam)
Another Xponent who took home a Long Service Medal was Engineer, Specialist Capability Systems, PPMC, Zulkarnien Abdul Rahman.
Zulkarnien’s career with the Home Team has spanned 25 years, having started with the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) Technology Department in 2000. Since joining HTX in 2019, when the agency was first formed, he has been supporting the Home Team in the management of project cycles for Singapore’s traffic systems.
“I was quite surprised and honoured to receive this award. Twenty five years feels like a long time, yet I didn’t realise how quickly time had passed,” he said.
The key to his long, fruitful career with the Home Team? Not to take life too seriously, and finding avenues to de-stress whenever times get tough.
This is why you’d find him fronting HTX’s in-house band, Coffee Break, as its vocalist from time to time, or spending quality time with his two young children every weekend.
Zulkarnien (right) celebrates his win with HTX Assistant Chief Executive (Programmes) Colin Tan at the event. (Photo: HTX/Janna Giam)
At the ceremony, four Xponents also received the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Overseas Service Medal for their exemplary service in the April 2025 Operation Lionheart deployment to Myanmar’s earthquake disaster zones.
The operation marked the first-ever field deployment of HTX’s cyborg cockroaches.
Among the quartet was the deputy director and lead engineer of the Robotics, Automation and Unmanned Systems (RAUS) CoE’s Ground Systems department, Ong Ka Hing and Yap Kian Wee respectively.
“I’m honoured to receive this award, which would not have been possible without great teamwork with colleagues from SCDF and the project team,” said Kian Wee.
Kian Wee (right) and Ka Hing (left) pose with fellow Operation Lionheart teammate and SCDF Overseas Service Medal recipient Roslan Yahya from HTX’s Platform Systems Sustainment Centre. (Photo: HTX/Janna Giam)
The full list of National Day Awards recipients from HTX can be found here.
