Brunei's Minister of Energy and former Deputy Defence Minister Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Retired) Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar was conferred Singapore's highest military award, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) Distinguished Service Order (Military)], by President S R Nathan at the Istana this afternoon.

The medal was awarded to Pehin Yasmin Umar for his outstanding contributions in strengthening the excellent defence ties between Singapore and Brunei as Brunei's Deputy Defence Minister from 2005 to 2010. Pehin Yasmin Umar played an instrumental role in deepening the bilateral relationship through key initiatives such as the Singapore-Brunei Scholars Development Programme, which was established in 2007, as well as the annual Singapore-Brunei Defence Policy Dialogue, which was inaugurated in 2009. These initiatives have strengthened the close people-to-people ties between the two armed forces. Pehin Yasmin Umar also oversaw close cooperation between the two countries on multilateral issues, particularly in the development of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting.

Guests at the investiture included Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, Permanent Secretary for Defence Chiang Chie Foo, as well as senior government officials and military officers from Brunei and Singapore.

Pehin Yasmin Umar called on Dr Ng earlier today and on Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang yesterday. He will call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mr Teo later today.