Chief of Defence Force Receives Prestigious State Award from Brunei

His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam conferring the Most Exalted Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang - First Class to Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong.

Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Lieutenant-General (LG) Neo Kian Hong, was conferred the Darjah Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang Yang Amat Gemilang Darjah Pertama (Most Exalted Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang - First Class) by His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam at Istana Nurul Imam this afternoon.

The Darjah Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang Yang Amat Gemilang Darjah Pertama is the highest Bruneian award to be conferred on foreign armed forces chiefs. The conferment of the award on LG Neo reflects the strong and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and Brunei. "I am extremely honoured and humbled to be bestowed with the title.  Today's occasion is a recognition of the special relationship between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the Singapore Armed Forces," said LG Neo after the ceremony.

The armed forces of both countries interact regularly in a range of activities, including high-level visits, professional exchanges, and bilateral exercises such as Exercise Maju Bersama, Exercise Air Guard and Exercise Pelican.

LG Neo is in Brunei for a three-day farewell visit from 4 to 6 March. As part of the visit, LG Neo also called on Bruneian Deputy Minister of Defence Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat and the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Major-General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin earlier today.