1978: National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) Award: Poetry
1979: Southeast Asia (SEA) Write award
1980: Cultural Medallion for Literature
1992: National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) Award: Poetry
1983-1986: Chairman, Association of Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies, VII Triennium
1985: Writer-In-Residence, Institute of Culture and Communication in Hawaii
1987: ASEAN Culture and Communication Award for Literature
1988: Member, Committee of Jurors, Neustadt International Prize for Literature, Oklahoma, USA
1991: Public Service Star (Bar) for promotion of Literature.
1993: Visiting Fellow at the Department of English, Australian Defence Force Academy
1993: Board Member, Advisory Committee, National Arts Council
1994: National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) Award: Poetry
1998: National University of Singapore award for excellent teaching
2002: Raja Rao Award for outstanding contribution to the Literature of the South Asian Diaspora
2006: Meritorious Service Medal, as Distinguished Poet and Literary Scholar