Top Military Award Conferred on Former Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian National Defence Forces (Panglima TNI)
The former Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian National Defence Forces General (GEN)(Ret) Andika Perkasa 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. The investiture was attended by guests including Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, Chief of Defence Force Rear-Admiral (RADM) Aaron Beng, former Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Melvyn Ong, as well as other senior government officials and military officers from both Singapore and Indonesia.
GEN(Ret) Andika was conferred the award for his significant contributions towards enhancing defence cooperation between Singapore and Indonesia. Under GEN(Ret) Andika’s strong leadership, defence cooperation between both armed forces grew from strength to strength. Both militaries conducted professional exchanges, as well as regular bilateral exercises such as Exercise Safkar Indopura, Exercise Joint Minex Pandu, and Exercise Manyar Indopura. At the invitation of the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI), the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) also participated in the inaugural multilateral Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2022. GEN(Ret) Andika also supported the resumption of coordinated patrols between both countries’ navies. These interactions promoted friendships and deepened mutual understanding between both armed forces. GEN(Ret) Andika was also committed to cooperation between both armed forces within multilateral frameworks, which contributed to regional peace and stability. The TNI and the SAF worked alongside each other at regional platforms such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Experts’ Working Groups, the Information Fusion Centre and the Counter-Terrorism Information Facility.
GEN(Ret) Andika, who is in Singapore from 9 to 11 May 2023, also called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Lawrence Wong prior to the investiture. He also inspected a Guard of Honour, and called on Dr Ng and RADM Beng at the Ministry of Defence. During the calls, both sides reaffirmed the close and long-standing bilateral defence ties and expressed commitment to deepen bilateral defence cooperation.
