SINGAPORE – Mr Fairoz Hassan joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to support his university education and, over the course of nearly three decades, found a career that gave him purpose.
Duty called him to serve as a United Nations liaison officer in Indonesia following the 2004 tsunami in Banda Aceh, and to coordinate multi-nation relief efforts in Nepal after an earthquake there in 2015. The 46-year-old also managed operations and oversaw security in multiple National Day Parades.
In July, the Commander of the 9th Singapore Division and Chief Infantry Officer became only the second Malay/Muslim officer to attain the rank of Brigadier-General in the SAF.
For his distinguished military career, BG Fairoz received the Berita Harian Achiever of the Year 2025 award from Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing at a ceremony on Nov 7 at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.
Now in its 27th year, the awards – organised by the Malay-language daily and supported by OCBC Bank as its presenting sponsor – recognise Malay/Muslim individuals who have made a mark in their fields.
BG Fairoz dedicated the award to his “village” of family, friends and colleagues who helped him to become who he is today, noting that his military career had also instilled strong values in him.
BH editor Nazry Mokhtar, who co-chaired the judging panel for the awards, said BG Fairoz represented “the pinnacle of service and leadership within the community”.
“His achievements in national defence, coupled with his commitment to humanitarian missions, embody the values that the Berita Harian Achiever of the Year seeks to champion,” he said.
Clinching the Young Achiever of the Year Award was writer Nur Aisyah Lyana Mohamed Satria.
