SINGAPORE - The former Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD), General (Ret) Budiman, has been conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentara), or Meritorious Service Medal (Military), by President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen presented the award to him at the Ministry of Defence this morning.

Gen (Ret) Budiman received the award for his contributions towards the strong defence relations between the TNI-AD and the Singapore Army.

Both armies conduct regular bilateral exercises and meetings such as Exercise Chandrapura and Exercise Safkar Indopura, to strengthen camaraderie and mutual understanding.