Tay Seow Huah

Mr Tay Seow Huah (1932 or 1933 – September 1980) was a senior civil servant who served at various times as Director of the Special Branch, Director of the Security and Intelligence Division, Permanent Secretary (Home Affairs) and Permanent Secretary (Defence), prior to his retirement in 1976. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Award in 1967, and the Eisenhower Fellowships in 1971. He was Acting Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs around 1971 and was involved in the Laju incident. He died at the age of 47 in September 1980.

On December 2000, the Tay Seow Huah Book Prize was set up by his children, Joanne Tay Siok Wan and Simon S C Tay, and a small group of relatives, friends and former colleagues, including President S R Nathan.