Army chief gets Singapore award

Army chief gets Singapore award

SINGAPORE: Indonesian Army chief Gen. Djoko Santoso was conferred a prestigious military award at Singapore's defense ministry on Thursday.

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by Minister for Defense Teo Chee Hean in recognition of his "outstanding contributions in enhancing the excellent ties between the Indonesian National Army and the Singapore Army", a ministry statement said.

"Bilateral exercises, professional exchanges and interaction programs have flourished" under Santoso's leadership, Teo said. The conduct of regular interactions such as the Safkar Indopura Exercise, an annual brigade-level event in its 17th year, has helped in the professional development of both armies, the statement said.

As part of his visit, Santoso will witness the exercise's closing ceremony and visit the Singapore Armed Forces Center for Military Experimentation. --DPA