Indonesia’s Defense Minister, Prabowo Subianto, was awarded Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera), Singapore’s highest military honor, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to the robust defense relations between Indonesia and Singapore.

The prestigious award was presented by Singapore’s President Tharman Sanmugaratnam in a ceremony attended by both nations’ defense ministers, signifying the strong defense cooperation fostered under Prabowo’s leadership.

Prabowo received the award in a formal ceremony at the Singapore Presidential Palace, which was punctuated by a guard of honor led by Singapore’s Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen.

Singapore’s Presidential Palace highlighted the ratification of the Defense Cooperation Agreement under Prabowo’s tenure, marking a significant milestone in bilateral defense relations.

The cooperation has led to key joint military exercises and professional exchanges, strengthening the defense capabilities and readiness of both countries.

Prabowo’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly commended for maintaining close collaboration between the two defense institutions despite global challenges.

A joint update on defense cooperation was signed by Prabowo and his Singaporean counterpart, witnessed by Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in March 2023, reinforcing the commitment to exploring new areas of mutual interest.

This award to Indonesia’s Defense Minister underscores the deepening defense relationship between Singapore and Indonesia, which is pivotal for regional security and stability. It also illustrates the strong bilateral ties that contribute to the peace and prosperity of both nations, impacting Singaporeans and international communities through enhanced regional cooperation.

Singapore has awarded Indonesia’s Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto with its highest military accolade, recognizing his extraordinary role in fortifying defense ties between the two countries. The award reflects ongoing cooperation in joint military exercises, strategic dialogues, and shared defense interests, which have collectively contributed to the stability and security of the Southeast Asian region. The recognition is seen as a testament to the strong bilateral relationship and commitment to future collaborations between Indonesia and Singapore.

Source: Kompas.com, Liputan6.com (2023)