The Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), Brigadier General (BG) (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma'awiah was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) [or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) (MSM(M))], by President Tony Tan. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the award to BG (U) Dato Shahril at an investiture ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this morning.

BG (U) Dato Shahril was conferred the award in recognition of his significant role in enhancing the relationship between the RBAirF and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). Under his leadership and support, professional cooperation between both Air Forces has grown from strength to strength. He promoted greater interoperability between the two Air Forces through his strong support for Exercise Airguard, which saw the inaugural deployment of the RSAF's RBS-70 system in the exercise in 2016. He also ensured the successful participation and seamless integration of air assets from both Air Forces in the ADMM-Plus Maritime Security and Counter-Terrorism Exercise in the same year. The long-standing friendship and people-to-people ties between both Air Forces were also strengthened through frequent visits, professional exchanges and cross-attendance of courses.
 
On receiving the award, BG (U) Dato Shahril said, "This signifies the close friendship and brotherhood between not only our militaries but also between Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. I am humbled, honoured and delighted to receive this prestigious award, and would like to thank the Government of Singapore and MINDEF for awarding me with the MSM(M)".
 
BG (U) Dato Shahril, who is in Singapore from 26 to 28 July 2017, called on Dr Ng, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Perry Lim, and Chief of Air Force Major-General Mervyn Tan, and inspected a Guard of Honour contingent at MINDEF prior to the investiture. He will visit the RSAF's 120 Squadron this afternoon.