PRESTIGIOUS MILITARY AWARD FOR INDONESIAN CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF

The Chief of Naval Staff of the Indonesian Navy, Admiral (ADM) Agus Suhartono, was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera), by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, at an investiture on 24 Sep.

Also known as the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)(Military), the medal was awarded to ADM Suhartono in recognition of his significant contributions in deepening relations between the Indonesian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy.

Under his leadership, new bilateral initiatives, which enhanced the conduct of the Indonesia-Singapore Coordinated Patrols and the Malacca Strait Patrols, were introduced. Such initiatives have helped to strengthen the institutional linkages and interoperability between the two navies, which interact regularly through activities such as joint operations and exercises, professional exchanges, socio-civic missions, port calls and courses.

ADM Suhartono also helped to forge closer personal ties and enhance mutual understanding between the personnel of both navies by encouraging more professional and personal engagements.

Before the investiture at the Ministry of Defence, ADM Suhartono called on Mr Teo as well as Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong and Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Chew Men Leong.