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