Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), First Admiral (FADM) Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Norazmi bin Pengiran Haji Muhammad, was presented with Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) [or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) (MSM(M))], by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at an investiture ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this morning.

FADM Dato Norazmi was conferred the award in recognition of his significant contributions towards enhancing the bilateral defence relationship between the RBN and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Under FADM Dato Norazmi's leadership, the close and long-standing bilateral ties between the two navies continued to deepen. In 2016, both navies commemorated 40 years of defence relations and celebrated the 35th edition of Exercise Pelican. Exercise Pelican has grown in scope and complexity, with enhanced serials in naval warfare and the inclusion of naval aviation, underscoring the mutual trust and enhanced level of interoperability between the two navies. FADM Dato Norazmi also strongly supported Singapore's first-ever International Maritime Review in 2017, as well as the Western Pacific Naval Symposium Multilateral Sea Exercises in 2015 and 2017. The long-standing friendship and people-to-people ties between both navies were also strengthened through regular interactions and cross-attendance of courses.

On receiving the award, FADM Dato Norazmi said, "I am humbled and very grateful to be awarded with this medal. This signifies the strong relationship between our militaries as well as our countries. I am very much delighted to receive this prestigious award, and would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of Singapore for awarding me with the MSM(M)."

FADM Dato Norazmi, who is in Singapore from 9 to 11 October 2017, called on Dr Ng, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Perry Lim, and Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Lew Chuen Hong, and inspected a Guard of Honour contingent at MINDEF prior to the investiture. He will visit RSS Unity at Tuas Naval Base tomorrow.