Top Military Award Conferred on 22nd Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces

General (GEN) Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam after receiving the Distinguished Service Order (Military) award at the Ministry of Defence.

GEN Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohammad inspected the Guard of Honour at the Ministry of Defence this morning.

GEN Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohammad (left) called on Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing (right) earlier today.

The 22nd Chief of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) General (GEN) Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman was conferred Singapore’s highest military award, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) [Distinguished Service Order (Military)], by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) earlier this morning.

GEN Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohammad was conferred the award for his significant contributions towards strengthening defence cooperation between Singapore and Malaysia whilst he was Chief of the MAF from 6 Sep 2023 to 31 Jan 2025. Under his leadership, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and MAF continued to enhance long-standing defence ties through professional exchanges, cross-attendance of courses, and various flagship bilateral exercises such as Exercise MALAPURA, Exercise SEMANGAT BERSATU and Exercise SAREX MALSING. These interactions have helped to forge closer rapport and trust between both armed forces. GEN Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohammad’s strong commitment to regional defence cooperation has also seen the SAF and MAF work closely together on platforms such as the Malacca Straits Patrol, the Five Power Defence Arrangements, and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)/ADMM-Plus. GEN Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohammad also consistently supported multilateral security initiatives, such as the Information Fusion Centre and the Counter Terrorism Information Facility, enhancing regional security and stability.

Guests at the investiture included Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing, Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Heng Kee, Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral (VADM) Aaron Beng, as well as other senior government officials and military officers from Singapore and Malaysia. Prior to the investiture, GEN Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohammad also reviewed a Guard of Honour at MINDEF.

GEN Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohammad, who will be in Singapore from 30 Jul to 3 August, called on Minister Chan earlier today at MINDEF before the investiture. During the call, both sides reaffirmed the long-standing bilateral defence ties and expressed commitment to deepen the bilateral defence relationship.