6-7-2023 (SIGNAPORE) Two Southeast Asian military generals have been recognised for their contributions to building defence ties with the Republic of Singapore. General Chalermphon Srisawasdi, Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF), was awarded Singapore’s highest military distinction, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera), or Distinguished Service Order (Military), by President Halimah Yacob at the Istana on Wednesday.
General Dudung Abdurachman, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, was conferred the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera), or Meritorious Service Medal (Military), on Thursday.
General Srisawasdi received the honour for his contributions towards enhancing the close and long-standing defence relationship between the RTARF and the Singapore Armed Forces. Under his leadership, both armed forces forged closer ties through professional engagements and collaboration, including military exercises such as Exercise Kocha Singa and Exercise Cope Tiger, as well as collaboration in areas of maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief through the Malacca Strait Patrol.
General Abdurachman was recognised for his contributions in strengthening bilateral defence ties between the Indonesian and Singapore armies, which expanded their professional interactions and relationships under his leadership. Visits, courses, exchanges, and bilateral exercises such as Exercise Safkar Indopura and Exercise Chandrapura have “strengthened cooperation and deepened mutual understanding between both armies”, according to the Singapore Ministry of Defence (Mindef).
Both generals inspected a guard of honour at Mindef and called on Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen, Vice-Admiral Beng, Chief of Defence Force Aaron Beng, and Chief of Army David Neo during their visits to Singapore.
