Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Major General (MG) Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud was conferred Singapore's highest military award, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) [Distinguished Service Order (Military)], by President Halimah Yacob at the Istana this afternoon.

MG Pengiran Dato Aminan was conferred the award for his significant contributions towards strengthening the close and long-standing defence relations between Brunei and Singapore. Under his leadership, cooperation between the RBAF and the Singapore Armed Forces grew stronger through important exercises, such as Exercise Pelican, Exercise Airguard and Exercise Maju Bersama. Notably, this year marks the 40th anniversary of Exercise Pelican and the 25th anniversary of Exercise Airguard. In addition, both armed forces forged closer rapport and trust through professional exchanges, training visits, and the cross-attendance of courses. With MG Pengiran Dato Aminan's strong support for regional defence cooperation, Brunei also participated in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Experts Working Group on Maritime Security Field Training Exercise in May 2019, which was co-organised by Singapore and the Republic of Korea. Brunei also strongly supported Singapore's Chairmanship of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus in 2018.

Guests at the investiture included Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Melvyn Ong, as well as other senior government officials and military officers from Singapore and Brunei. Prior to the investiture, MG Pengiran Dato Aminan also reviewed a Guard of Honour at the Istana.

MG Pengiran Dato Aminan, who is in Singapore from 12 to 14 November 2019, also called on Dr Ng and LG Ong at the Ministry of Defence earlier today. During the calls, both sides reaffirmed the strong bilateral defence ties and expressed commitment to further deepen bilateral defence cooperation.