The Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) Brigadier General (BG) (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohammad Sharif bin Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) [MSM(M)], by President Halimah Yacob. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the award to BG (U) Dato Sharif Ibrahim at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) earlier today.

BG (U) Dato Sharif Ibrahim was conferred the award for his significant contributions in enhancing the defence ties between the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the RBAirF. Under BG (U) Dato Sharif Ibrahim's leadership, both the RSAF and the RBAirF have expanded bilateral defence cooperation and enhanced professional and personal interactions through high-level visits, cross-attendance of courses and professional exchanges. Both Air Forces have deepened cooperation in multiple areas such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-terrorism and the development of confidence-building measures through multilateral platforms such as the ASEAN Air Chiefs' Conference, which has yielded significant professional benefits for Singapore and Brunei.

On receiving the award, BG (U) Dato Sharif Ibrahim said, "being conferred the MSM(M) is both a tremendous honour and a humbling experience in equal measure. A tremendous honour as it signifies the close relationship between the Singapore Armed Forces and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) that has been forged over more than 45 years and one that the RBAirF will continue to strengthen for years to come. A humbling experience as the medal's recognition of meritorious service is not only of mine but of the officers, airmen and airwomen of the RBAirF."

Prior to the investiture, BG (U) Dato Sharif Ibrahim called on Dr Ng, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong and Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Kelvin Khong after inspecting the Guard of Honour at MINDEF. MG Khong also presented BG (U) Dato Sharif Ibrahim with the RSAF Honorary Wings at a ceremony held at MINDEF in recognition of the RBAirF's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between the RSAF and the RBAirF.

BG (U) Dato Sharif Ibrahim, who is in Singapore from 10 May to 13 May 2022 for an introductory visit, visited Sembawang Air Base where he took a familiarisation flight on board an RSAF H225M Medium Lift Helicopter this afternoon. BG (U) Dato Sharif Ibrahim also visited the RSAF's A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport Green Hangar at Changi Air Base. Tomorrow, BG (U) Dato Sharif Ibrahim will visit the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command at Murai Camp.