RI awards Thai military chief

JAKARTA: The Indonesian government awarded on Monday Thailand's Armed Forces chief Adm. Narong Yuthavong for his role in boosting bilateral ties between the two countries.

Defense minister Matori Abdul Djalil awarded the Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama medal to Narong during a ceremony attended by Indonesian Military Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Bernard Kent Sondakh and Air Force Chief Marshal Chappy Hakim.

A defense ministry media release said that before the ceremony, Narong met with Matori, their discussions focusing on separatism in Aceh and Papua, and transnational crimes, which included terrorism.

Narong said Thailand supported the territorial integrity of Indonesia and could understand the government's measures to deal with problems in Aceh and Papua.

Matori said Indonesia would enhance cooperation with neighboring countries, including Thailand, to cope with transnational crimes. -- JP