CHIEF OF STAFF OF INDONESIAN NATIONAL ARMY CONFERRED PRESTIGIOUS MILITARY AWARD
1. The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian National Army, General Djoko Santoso, was conferred the prestigious military award, Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military), by Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean in an investiture ceremony at the Ministry of Defence this morning. General Santoso was awarded the medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions in enhancing the excellent ties between the Indonesian National Army and the Singapore Army.
2. Under General Santoso’s leadership and direction, the longstanding and close cooperation between the two armies has grown from strength to strength. With his support, bilateral exercises, professional exchanges and interaction programmes have flourished. The conduct of regular interactions such as Exercise Safkar Indopura, an annual brigade-level exercise which is in its 17th year, has been mutually beneficial to the professional development of both armies and has provided excellent opportunities for the officers and men of both armies to build camaraderie and strengthen personal friendships.
3. As part of his visit, General Santoso will also be witnessing the closing ceremony of Exercise Safkar Indopura, and visiting the Singapore Armed Forces Centre for Military Experimentation and ST Kinetics. While at the Ministry of Defence, General Santoso also called on Minister Teo, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Yat Chung and Chief of Army Major-General Desmond Kuek.
