Malaysian writer Joshua Kam wins Singapore's richest literary prize

Kam, winner of the Singapore-based Epigram Books Fiction Prize, won for his manuscript 'How The Man In Green Saved Pahang, And Possibly The World', in which two characters go on a cross-country race against time in an attempt to prevent the end of the world, meeting historical and mythical figures from folklore along the way. Photo: The Straits Times/Asia News Network

Malaysian writer Joshua Kam, 23, is the youngest winner of Singapore's Epigram Books Fiction Prize, which opened submissions to Asean writers for the first time.

The S$25,000 (RM75,400) prize, which was given out on Jan 16 during a gala dinner at a Singapore hotel, was previously restricted to Singapore citizens and permanent residents.