The Public Service Star was instituted in 1963.

The Public Service Star may be awarded to any person:

    a. who has rendered valuable public service to the people of Singapore; or

    b. who has distinguished himself in the field of arts and letters, sports, the sciences, business, the professions and the labour movement.

The Medal consists of 2 concentric rings having, on the obverse side, a five-pointed star with star-burst design. In the centre is embossed a circular shield bearing a crescent and 5 stars. At the bottom half of the outer ring is a scroll bearing the inscription “BINTANG BAKTI MASYARAKAT”. The inner ring is embossed with a laurel wreath.

The reverse side of the Medal bears the State Arms. The Medal is to be worn on the left side of the outer garment suspended by a ribbon. The ribbon is grey with a white centre stripe flanked immediately on each side by a red stripe, a thin white stripe, another red stripe and finally, a thin white stripe, in that order.