The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army General (GEN) Mulyono was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) [or Meritorious Service Medal (Military)], by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen. Dr Ng presented the award to GEN Mulyono at an investiture ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this afternoon.
 
GEN Mulyono was conferred the award for his significant contributions towards strengthening the close and long-standing defence relations between Indonesia and Singapore. Under his leadership, bilateral cooperation between the Indonesian Army and the Singapore Army has expanded steadily. GEN Mulyono was instrumental in facilitating collaboration on the Leopard Main Battle Tank platform, which allowed both Armies to share experiences as well as simulator and hands-on training. The Indonesian Army and the Singapore Army have also enhanced information-sharing platforms at various levels.

With GEN Mulyono's support, the regular conduct of key bilateral exercises such as Exercise Safkar Indopura and Exercise Chandrapura have contributed to the interoperability and professional development of both Armies. The Professional Interaction Programme between the 3rd Singapore Division and the Indonesian Army's Strategic Reserve Command, the Joint Army Working Group Meeting, the Army Interaction Games as well as the Senior Officers Visit Programme have contributed significantly to strengthening friendship, mutual understanding and camaraderie between both forces.

GEN Mulyono, who is in Singapore from 23 to 26 July 2018, called on Dr Ng, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melyvn Ong, Chief of Army Brigadier-General (BG) Goh Si Hou, and reviewed a Guard of Honour contingent at MINDEF prior to the investiture. To mark the 25th anniversary of Exercise Chandrapura, both GEN Mulyono and BG Goh will co-officiate the closing ceremony of the exercise at Pasir Ris Camp on 26 July.