BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

SINGAPORE recently conferred its highest military award on the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Commander in a ceremony at the city-state’s Istana.

President Tony Tan Keng Yam presented the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) or Distinguished Service Order (Military) to Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih Abdullah on Tuesday.

According to Brunei’s Ministry of Defence (MinDef), the commander received the award for his role in enhancing defence relations between the RBAF and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

The press released added that he “played a crucial role in forging closer ties between the RBAF Defence Academy and SAFTI Military Institute, which has further enhanced the professional development of officers from both armed forces”.

Pehin Major General Dato Mohd Tawih has also continued to support long-standing bilateral initiatives such as the attendance of exchange courses by officers from both sides.

With the commander at the helm of RBAF, MinDef said the interaction and cooperation between the armed forces have grown through bilateral exercises such as Maju Bersama, Pelican and Air Guard as well as the Senior Officers Interaction Programme and Scholars Development Programme.

These exercises and programmes further enhanced the professional development of officers from RBAF and SAF.

Guests at the investiture included Singapore’s Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen and Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng together with senior government officials and military officers from the two countries.

As part of his visit, Pehin Major General Dato Mohd Tawih also called on the Chief of Defence Force and Defence Minister at the republic’s MinDef.

The Brunei Times