General (GEN) Agus Subiyanto, Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI), was conferred Singapore’s prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) [MSM(M)], by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the award to GEN Subiyanto at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this noon.

GEN Subiyanto was conferred the award in recognition of his contributions in strengthening the close defence ties and cooperation between TNI and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) during his tenure as the Chief of Staff of the Indonesia Army (KASAD). Under GEN Subiyanto’s leadership, both armed forces expanded their professional interactions and people-to-people ties through regular high-level visits, cross-attendance of courses, professional exchanges, and bilateral and multilateral exercises such as Exercise Safkar Indopura, Exercise Chandrapura and Exercise Super Garuda Shield. Of note, Exercise Safkar Indopura was elevated to a combined arms exercise for the first time in October 2023 during GEN Subiyanto’s tenure as Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army. These interactions have enhanced interoperability and mutual understanding between personnel of the two armed forces.

GEN Subiyanto, who is in Singapore for his introductory visit from 11 to 12 July, also called on Dr Ng and Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral (VADM) Aaron Beng after inspecting the Guard of Honour at MINDEF this morning. GEN Subiyanto called on Prime Minister (PM) and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong at the Istana in the afternoon. During the call, PM Wong and GEN Subiyanto reaffirmed the close and long-standing bilateral relationship between Singapore and Indonesia.

As part of his programme, GEN Subiyanto co-chaired the 25th Combined Annual Report Meeting – Indonesia-Singapore High Level Committee (CARM-INDOSIN HLC) with VADM Beng this afternoon to discuss ways to deepen the close and long-standing relations between the SAF and TNI. Initiated during the 15th Combined Annual Report Meeting (CARM) 2012 held in Singapore, CARM-INDOSIN HLC is the overall governing body overseeing bilateral meetings between the two armed forces in the areas of intelligence, operations and exercises, personnel and logistics.