Honouring two of this year’s Minister for Home Affairs National Day Awards recipients – Mr Chong Jun-Yu and SI Aaron Raj share stories of courage and dedication!
By: Al Cheng
From a split-second decision that saved a life to nearly two decades of steadfast service, two inspiring recipients of this year’s Minister for Home Affairs National Day Awards share their stories.
Holding On When It Mattered Most
A real estate agent and part-time private hire vehicle driver, 47-year-old Mr Chong Jun-Yu was on a routine drive when a distressing situation unfolded – one that would call upon his quick thinking and compassion for a stranger.
At about 1.15am on 9 November 2024, Mr Chong was driving a female passenger who was on a video call with a friend – a woman who appeared emotionally distressed and intoxicated. She was sitting on the parapet of an HDB corridor in Woodleigh, but her exact location was unclear.
Mr Chong could sense that his passenger would not be able to manage the situation on her own. “I just thought that a life was at stake. If I could help, I should help,” he shared.
Together, Mr Chong and the passenger looked at the video call closely. “We tried to match the background in the video with the surroundings around us,” Mr Chong recalled.
Eventually, they narrowed the possible location down to a few HDB blocks. After parking his car, Mr Chong and the passenger searched for the woman on foot and finally found her on the 14th floor of an HDB block – sitting precariously on the ledge of the corridor railing.
While his passenger tried to calm her friend down, Mr Chong quickly scanned the surroundings. “I thought about climbing over the railing to pull her back, but it was too risky as I had nothing to secure myself with,” he recounted. “So, I reached my arms through the railing and held onto her while my passenger called the Police.”
By the time the Police arrived, Mr Chong’s arms were numb and he suffered bruises and abrasions from rubbing against the railing.
For his courageous act, Mr Chong received the Minister for Home Affairs National Day Award (Public Spiritedness) – an honour that he humbly put down to being “at the right place, at the right time.”
Serving with Dedication and Heart
For Station Inspector (SI) Aaron Raj, joining the Singapore Police Force in 2006 was answering a call to serve with purpose – one that has grown both personally and professionally over the past 19 years. “What keeps me going is the real impact we make. Every case solved, every resident we help – it reinforces the meaning behind what we do,” he shared.
SI Aaron was posted to the Investigation Branch at Clementi Police Division as an Investigation Officer in October 2020. Currently a Deputy Officer-in-Charge of the General Investigation Team, his leadership is anchored in mentorship and people-first investigation work. “I’ve learnt that building trust with victims and witnesses is essential.” He said, “Solving cases is not just about evidence; it’s about empathy.”
Among the many cases SI Aaron has handled, one that was a recent public order incident involving multiple stakeholders. Despite many strongly held viewpoints, he was able to manage the complex case with professionalism and tact. “It was a memorable case because I had to be mindful of how everyone felt, to achieve an amicable resolution,” he shared.
Looking back on his career, SI Aaron described it as deeply rewarding: “The gratitude in a victim’s eyes when justice is served – that reminds me why I chose this path.”
Receiving the Minister for Home Affairs National Day Award (Individual) marks a meaningful milestone for SI Aaron. “This recognition made me reflect on my policing journey and all the people who’ve supported me along the way,” SI Aaron said. “It reminded me that our daily work, no matter how challenging it may seem, contributes to the mission of keeping Singapore safe.”
Minister for Home Affairs National Day Awards 2025
The Home Team National Day Observance Ceremony was held on 1 August 2025 at the Home Team Academy. At the Ceremony, 105 Home Team (HT) officers, 19 HT volunteers, 11 organisations, five team projects/operations and 43 members of public were recognised for their exemplary contributions. Congratulations to all award recipients!
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