The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army [Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD)], General (GEN) Maruli Simanjuntak, 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 Maruli at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this morning.

 GEN Maruli was conferred the award in recognition of his contributions in strengthening bilateral defence ties between the Indonesian Army and the Singapore Army. Under GEN Maruli’s leadership, both Armies continue to expand their professional interactions and people-to-people ties through regular high-level visits, cross-attendance of courses, professional exchanges, and bilateral exercises such as Exercise Safkar Indopura and Exercise Chandrapura – with the latter marking its 30th anniversary in 2024. Such interactions have strengthened close collaboration and deepened mutual understanding between both Armies.

 GEN Maruli is in Singapore from 16 to 17 April 2025 for his introductory visit. Prior to the investiture, he called on Dr Ng and Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, after inspecting the Guard of Honour at MINDEF. As part of his visit, GEN Maruli also visited SAFTI City and participated in the SAF-TNI Army Interaction Games shooting competition at the Multi Mission Range Complex.